1 Corinthians 4:14-21 Unity around the Qualities of Christian Leadership
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Qualities of Christian Leadership
The Corinthians had elevated people to leadership roles based on worldly standards; eloquence, worldly wisdom, appearance, presence, gravitas, position in society. Some among them had elevated themselves by the same standards. But Paul is telling them, in this last bit about factions, that they need to understand God’s measure of a leader. A Christian leader is a servant and a steward. They are not judged by people but by the Lord. They are not proud, exalting themselves; they leave their position to the Lord. This week we come to the last quality of Christian leadership; A Christian leader is a good father. And, considering that we are coming up on Mother’s day and Father’s day, you could say that Christian leadership is like “good parenting.”
The ideal
It's a shame, but I have to say, “good father” or “good mother” when I make this point. We sometimes feel lost when the idea of a “good” parent is introduced.
The man in the supermarket was pushing a cart which contained, among other things, a screaming baby. As the man proceeded along the aisles, he kept repeating softly, "Keep calm, George. Don't get excited, George. Don't get excited, George. Don't yell, George."
A lady watching with admiration said to the man, "You are certainly to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George."
"Lady," he declared, "I'm George."
Source Unknown.
There's an old story about two young children who were standing on the corner, bragging about who had moved from state to state the most. One little boy said, "My family has moved three times in the last three years." "Hey!" said the other little boy. "That's nothing. My parents have moved five times this year -- and I found them every time!" It's safe to say that this second boy came from a home without a strong sense of belonging.
G. Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D., The Gift of Honor, p. 89.
How to bake a cake:
Preheat oven; get out utensils and ingredients.
Remove blocks and toy autos from table.
Grease pan, crack nuts.
Measure two cups of flour, remove baby's hands from flour, wash flour off baby, re-measure flour.
Put flour, baking power, and salt in sifter.
Get dustpan and brush up pieces of bowl baby knocked on the floor. Get another bowl
Answer doorbell
Return to kitchen, remove baby's hands from bowl. Wash baby.
Answer phone.
Return.
Remove one-fourth inch salt from greased pan. Look for baby.
Grease another pan.
Answer telephone.
Return to kitchen and find baby. Remove his hands from bowl.
Take up greased pan and find layer of nutshells in it. Head for baby, who flees, knocking bowl off table.
Wash kitchen floor, table, walls, dishes.
Call baker. Lie down.
Source Unknown.
Ideal: family relationships
1 Timothy 5:1-3 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather plead with him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed,
All the previous points about leadership apply to good parenting. Servant, steward, judged by the Lord, and not proud.
This morning: not arrogant, a giver of life,
I wanted to start with the last one.
I. Godly parents are not arrogant
I told you last week that verses 8-13 were the sarcasm section.
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
They have become so proud that he has to exaggerate their self-evaluation in order to demonstrate how ridiculous it is. He is pitting their pride for following a great teacher over against the humility of the teachers themselves. This is not the only time sarcasm is used in Scripture to make a point.
Revelation 3: 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: This is what the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the [h]Beginning of the creation of God, says: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will [i]spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked.
And we have already indicated that they are not to be arrogant, but this section also delineates a quality of Christian leadership; self sacrifice. You are not to be self elevated, you are to be self-sacrificing.
Let’s just walk through this.
8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have ruled without us—
You are already filled-satiated, it speaks of eating to the point of being over full. And what he’s saying is that these false teachers think they are full, they don’t need anymore teaching, they know it all. “you have already become rich.” And the richest that he is referring to are the riches of the millennial kingdom. “You guys are so great, you’ve already entered the millennial kingdom, you are already ruling the world, you’re so great.
The Paul turns it around to express his desire for them.
and how I wish that you had ruled indeed so that we also might rule with you.
He wishes that their self-exaltation were true, in the best sense. It would be great if they and he were already in the millennial kingdom. But then he contrasts their self-exaltation to the apostles abasement. You are exalted, but we are debased.
9 For, I think that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.
The analogy that he draws here is to captives taken in war. When an army returned from war, they would often bring captives from the battle to make a public spectacle of their execution. They would be brought out in chains to the coliseum, and publicly put to death in front of a crowd. Paul is saying that that is what the apostles are. They are the ones suffering and dying in front of the world, angels and men.
The sarcasm is really getting thick here!
10 We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ!
We lack wisdom, but you are wise.
We are weak, but you are strong! You are glorious, but we are without honor!
You are so much superior to us, we should grovel at your feet. The whole point of this section is to point out how ridiculous these in the Corinthian church are who have pridefully elevated themselves above others, or even over one or other of the Apostles.
Whereas the apostles,
11 To this present hour we hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and roughly treated, and homeless;
They, like Christ, go out into the world, and often “have no place to lay their head.” They live hand to mouth, trusting God for their needs, and often do without.
12 and we labor, working with our own hands;
Manual labor was considered below the aristocracy of Roman society. But the apostles did what they needed to to provide for their needs so they could continue the work of the gospel.
when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to plead; we have become as the scum of the world, the grime of all things, even until now.
There’s an interesting use of this word for scum or filth here. The word was used for a person who was cast overboard to appease the sea god. Sailors, finding themselves in a treacherous circumstance at sea, would search among their people for the least valuable. They would throw them overboard as an offering, with the intent of appeasing the god. They are the grime, the stuff that is scraped off of a dish.
We have all experienced leaders who were arrogant. And most of us have at least heard of fathers, mothers, or parents who managed their families through arrogance.
That is the opposite of what is supposed to happen in the Church, or the Christian family. The leaders, the parents, are humble servants.
II. A Godly parent admonishes.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
The word for admonish is “to warn.” Now sometimes when we use the word “warn” we think of an antagonistic relationship with someone. “I’m warning you, if you don’t stop throwing pencil erasers at me, I’m gonna slug you.”
Or the judge in court might say, “I’m warning you Mr. Jones, one more outburst from you and I will hold you in contempt of court.”
But admonish really is a better word here. It still means warning, but it is not a hostile warning, but rather a loving warning. You are warning someone that there is trouble ahead of them if they continue on their course. The bridge is out ahead, you are in danger. I don’t want you to be hurt.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
His motivation for pointing out their pride, their mistakes, or their ignorance is not to embarrass them in front of the church, but his motivation is his love for them; they are his beloved sons, and he wants to warn them of danger.
What is the danger? Discipline for sin and loss of reward
Discipline for sin
3: 16 Do you not know that you are a [f]sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the [g]sanctuary of God, God will destroy him, for the [h]sanctuary of God is holy, and [i]that is what you are.
Loss of reward
3: 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own [b]reward according to his own labor.
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, [d]precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident, for the day will indicate it because it is revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test [e]the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
4: 5 Therefore do not go on [c]passing judgment before [d]the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one’s praise will come to him from God.
III. A Godly parent is a giver of life
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
If we get down to the very basics of what a father or parent is, at its most rudimentary level, it is the person who gave a child life. Now we know that only God gives life, but what we’re talking about here is the physical stuff of life. Someone who is biologically your mother is the one from whom you were born. The one who is your biological father is the one from whom half of your DNA comes.
They may not be a father or mother in any other way. They may have been emotionally or geographically detached from you from the very start. But they did give you the stuff of life.
That’s the analogy that Paul is making here. You may have had 10,000 instructors. The word here for instructors originally meant a slave whose job it was to escort the master’s child to school. It later came to mean one who also gave instruction. Paul used the word in…Galatians 3:24-25 Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [a]tutor.Here’s the analogy. Through out your Christian life, depending on how long you’ve been a Christian, you’ve probably had many instructors, teachers, guides, tutors. You’ve had a number of pastors, Sunday School teachers, discipleship leaders, and Bible study teachers. And many of us have been taught by many in books, and recordings etc.But despite all of that, there is a special place in your heart for one. The one who led you to Christ. They are your spiritual parent. Now, not everyone can point to one person who did that. I remember the name of the preacher who was preaching when I gave my life to Christ. But I also credit my own parents as not only being my biological parents, but my spiritual parents. They guided me to Christ.And that’s the picture of Godly leadership. Godly leaders are givers of life. The are not just administrators, or pencil-pushers. They are not just event organizers. They are life givers. They are the people in church who are interested in you and your spiritual growth.
IV. A Godly parent is an example.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
That’s a bold statement. How many of us would be willing to say to a young Christian that we are discipling, “Watch what I do, and do the same?” But Paul said exactly that on more than one occasion.
Galatians 4:12 12 I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.
Philippians 3:17 17 Brothers, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Do what I do. We need that in a person. There are millions of books about good parenting. But it has been demonstrated time and again, that the most influential resource in your life, the thing that instructed your actions the most on how to parent your children, was your own parent.
Sometimes it has the opposite effect.
For many years Monterey, a California coast town, was a pelican's paradise. As the fishermen cleaned their fish, they flung the offal to the pelicans. The birds grew fat, lazy, and contented. Eventually, however the offal was utilized, and there were no longer snacks for the pelicans. When the change came the pelicans made no effort to fish for themselves. They waited around and grew gaunt and thin. Many starved to death. They had forgotten how to fish for themselves. The problem was solved by importing new pelicans from the south, birds accustomed to foraging for themselves. They were placed among their starving cousins, and the newcomers immediately started catching fish. Before long, the hungry pelicans followed suit, and the famine was ended.
Bits & Pieces, June 23, 1994, p. 17.
John 13:15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.
1 Peter 5:3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock.
V. A Godly parent knows their limits.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will
Here’s the story. Paul knew that he needed to go to Corinth. Letters are great. But there’s nothing that beats personal presence. But Paul had other churches to attend to. And his calling was to take the gospel to new places. His pattern was to establish a church, train elders, and then leave that church in capable hands.
But Corinth was floundering. So, he needed to return there and get his hands back into the clay.
But he had business at hand that did not allow him to go to Corinth. So, he did the next best thing. He sent the person who was closest to his being there: Timothy.
1 Timothy 1:1 Timothy, my genuine child in the faith
Romans 16:21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you
1 Corinthians 16:10 Now if Timothy comes, take care that he is with you without fear, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
Paul is confident that Timothy is going to act and teach exactly as he would in his absence. And so, he sends him. Leadership in the church is like good parenting. As our children age, we have less and less influence over them. But that doesn’t change our lifetime obligation to love them and try to guide them. But we have to know our limits.
How many of you with adult children have prayed that God would send good influences into your children’s lives?
It is the same in the life of the church. We are limited, so sometimes we seek to send others into our brothers and sisters’ lives. That is part of the reason we are reaching out this summer to former members. Yes, they left us. But we want to make sure they are cared for spiritually.
Note how Paul concludes this thought.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will
He knew that some would use his words as an opportunity to criticize him. “He says he’s coming, but he’s not. We can’t trust his word.” Paul calls them out for their pride, reinforces his promise to come to them, but then, because he knows his limits he adds, “if the Lord will.”
VI. A Godly parent is balanced.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Paul did go to Corinth shortly after this letter. This visit to Corinth is often called “the painful visit” because Paul had to address personally a lot of the issues in this letter, and he had to deal with the people who were undermining him while he was away.
But he didn’t want to have to do that.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
He is essentially saying that the spirit in which he comes depends on whether they submit to his directions. If they do not, he will come with the rod of correction. If they do submit, he will come in love and meekness.
That is a principle of parenting. It takes a balance of negative and positive to raise children. That is one of my chief criticisms of modern child-rearing advise. They want everything to be positive. And that’s how teachers are trained to teach. And that’s how schools are set up; positive, positive, positive.
And in the church there has to be a balance of positive and negative.
At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America. He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him. In those days a millionaire was a rare person; conservatively speaking, a million dollars in his day would be equivalent to at least twenty million dollars today.
A reporter asked Carnegie how he had hired forty-three millionaires. Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result.
The reporter's next question was, "How did you develop these men to becomes so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?" Carnegie replied that men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt - one goes in looking for the gold.
That's exactly the way we pastors need to view our people. Don't look for the flaws, warts, and blemishes. Look for the gold, not for the dirt; the good, not the bad. Look for the positive aspects of life. Like everything else, the more good qualities we look for in our people, the more good qualities we are going to find.
Source Unknown.
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