The Character of Apostles of Christ

What does He remind the Corinthians of?

What did the Corinthians seem to be looking for in their leaders?

What did God look for?

Toppe: Faithfulness is God’s top priority. Dependability, consistency, integrity - that’s what God wnts above all. the is willing, obedient, diligent service that he requires. Faithfulness counts for more than talents, ersonality, or eficiency, or “leadership,” or even success. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” is the highest grade God gives. (44)

How can this be a problem in today’s society?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:3-4. By “judging” in this section - Paul means when people convict and condemn for reasons that are not scripturally based. Like condemning a pastor because you don’t think he is working as hard as he should - but you have nothing to base your judgment on. Or claiming that he is carrying out church discipline only because he doesn’t like your family, etc.

What was Paul’s attitude toward the Corinthians’ attitude and his own attitude of his performance?

Why would a pastor need this attitude?

Why do Christians need this attitude?

What does vs. 4 teach us about conscience?

Read 1 Corinthians 4: vs. 5. When you have questions about your pastor’s faithfulness, but you aren’t sure, what should you do?

Is there ever a time that you should judge before Judgment Day?

1 Timothy 5:19-20 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. (NIV)

A or D: Motive is more important to consider than the action itself.

Toppe: It is our motives, our desires, that are all-important in determining what we think and say and do. “The great master force in any life is desire [motive], not intellect, not volition, not emotion, but desire. What do we want? What are we after? What is the inner council of the heart?” Only God knows. Only God can judge. Only God can truly reward with due praise. (45)

Read 1 Corinthians 4:6-7. Here Paul reminds the Corinthians that they should follow Scripture and not take pride in what minister they followed. They thought they were better judges than others because of the minister they chose. It didn’t make sense for them to boast about their pastor, since God gave them their pastor in the first place. But they were boasting like their pastors and their abilities were a result of their own choice and wisdom.

How does this verse remind us not to be proud?

How does decision theology make a similar mistake?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.What way of speaking is Paul using?

What was the difference between the Corinthians and the apostles?

Why did Paul mention this difference?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:14-17. What was Paul trying to warn them about?

Toppe: Other preachers would take over Paul’s work in Corinth, but none of them could be the father of the congregation. Only Paul could be that; they could only be the “guardians” (slave-guardians and tutors who care for children) Paul refers to in verse 15. A father has the right to speak harshly to his children when they misbehave. The strong words Paul wrote above were intended to correct, not to disgrace the Corinthians; he loved these children of his in Christ Jesus too much to “shame” them. (49)

A or D: Paul didn’t want to shame the Corinthians. Therefore, we should never try to shame or embarrass anyone.

Is vs. 16 something a modern preacher should say to his congregation?

Paul was so concerned about the Corinthians following his example that he sent Timothy to help model an example of humility and self-sacrifice. But that wasn’t the end of this conversation quite yet. He concludes this topic with four more strong verses to them. Read 18-21.

Toppe commented: Some of the Corinthians resisted Paul at every turn. Like defiant children who challenge their father’s authority, these individuals dared Paul to return to Corinth to tell them what to do. “Paul knows better than to come back to Corinth,” they blustered. (50)

How did Paul answer their boast in vs. 19?

How would Paul be able to tell “what power they have?” Would he look for miracles? Would they arm wrestle? What did he mean?

Paul asked if they wanted the “whip” or a “gentle spirit?” What would determine the answer to this question?

Toppe: Paul has endeavored to set right the relation of a Christian to his pastor. He has pointed out the difference between the pastor as leader and the pastor as servant, between his office and his person, between the pastor as orator and the pastor as the voice of God, between his personal rights and his public service, between a discourse on wisdom and the message of WISDOM, between personal popularity and professional respect, between Paul the man and Paul the apostle, between a congregation attached to its pastor and a congregation devoted to its Lord. As we read these first four chapters in 1 Corinthians, we need to visualize all these threads in the fabric of his service to the Corinthian congregation. (51)

Any questions?