August 2, 2009 pm
Studies in 1 Corinthians (16)
BEGOTTEN THROUGH THE GOSPEL
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
As we have been
studying the book of 1 Corinthians we have seen a letter of correction.
In the past few lessons of this study we have been examining
Paul’s relationship to the brethren at Corinth.
He has made it clear that being an apostle meant being a servant
and was not always glamorous.
He wants these brethren to respect Him, NOT because of who he is,
but because of what he teaches – the gospel of Christ.
It has been with this in mind that he has sought to correct them.
In our lesson this
evening, we want to notice Paul’s conclusion of his initial rebuke
(chapters 1-4 dealing with their divisions caused by appealing to the
wisdom of man instead of the wisdom of God).
We find in the text we examine tonight some reasons why he wrote
this letter. What he has
said thus far will serve as the background for specific issues that he
will begin to tackle in coming chapters.
a.
NOT to
shame them (14)
i.
As we
noted in the outset of this lesson, we all need correction from time to
time. But what is the
attitude behind the one correcting those in error?
ii.
As you
study the life of Paul, you see a man who was a humble servant of
others. As a result of this
letter, Paul is harshly rebuked and writes the 2nd epistle to
the Corinthians. As you
study it you can see his hurt as he is falsely accused.
He NEVER wanted to embarrass or belittle them.
And neither should we if we find ourselves in a similar
circumstance.
iii.
We must
make sure that we are not being arrogant and self-righteous in our
dealings with others, including our brethren!
2 Cor. 10:12, “For
we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend
themselves. But they,
measuring themselves by themselves, are not wise.”
Galatians 6:3 says, “For if anyone
thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
iv.
We should
NOT be seeking to embarrass or belittle another –EVER!
I am again reminded of the Pharisee who boasted himself and
belittled the tax collector in Luke 18:11 as he prayed in the temple.
In correcting an erring brother, STEP ONE is to go to him alone! (Matt.
18:15)
Yet we have many who find great pleasure in finding faults (or supposed
faults) and they seek to make a name for themselves by belittling
others.
b.
To warn
them (14)
i.
Paul saw
spiritual danger that these brethren were facing.
They were splintering apart and they were ignorant of the real
facts. Paul sees what is
happening and wants to stop it.
That is why he writes this letter.
ii.
When we
seek to correct a brother or sister in sin, we do so because we see a
soul that might be in danger of eternal damnation if repentance does not
take place.
It is part of our DUTY as Christians – Galatians 6:1,
Heb. 12:13, Jude 22-23
iii.
The Bible
often speaks of warnings –
Colossians 1:28 – Paul
preached Christ, “warning every
man, and teaching every man in wisdom; that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 20:31- Paul warned the brethren in Ephesus night and day for 3
years.
c.
Because
he loved them (14-15)
i.
When you
examine the whole of Paul’s writings you find that he loved his brethren
dearly. All he ever wanted
was for them to be right in God’s eyes.
At times he would change his conduct to help others (1 Cor.
9:19-23) and he would often suffer wrong for the sake of his brethren.
ii.
In vs. 15
of our context we read, “For
though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not
have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the
gospel.” Paul is making reference to the father/child relationship.
These brethren were like his children (cf. vs. 14 – “but as my beloved children I warn you.”)
iii.
It is out
of love that a father rebukes his children when needed (cf. Heb.
12:5-11), teaches them and warns them of dangers.
That is how Paul is writing this letter.
iv.
THE POINT:
Paul has an intimate relationship with these brethren.
They are important to Him and more than mere acquaintances.
He cares about their well being.
And he appeals to this relationship.
He notes that while they might have 10,000 instructors, (which is a
great exaggeration) they don’t have many “fathers” who care for them the
way Paul did.
The word instructor (10,000 instructors) is the same word found in
Galatians 3:24. It described
the servant entrusted with seeing that the children were educated.
It would be a rare occasion that the servant would care more than
the father.
Paul’s point, those who were
dividing the body didn’t really care about them, NO MORE THAN SATAN
DOES!
v.
What
about us? ` If we are blessed
we have someone who REALLY loves us as fellow brethren in Christ.
They love us so much they are going to tell us what we need
instead of what we want to hear.
They are willing to be abused, cursed and rejected – but in love
they have to try. Elders are
to be of this sort, cf. Heb. 13:7, 17; Preachers are to be of this sort;
and then there is the friend who is always there – “There is a friend
who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).
Also consider John 15:14-15 which speaks of Jesus being our
friend.
d.
To be
an example for them (16)
i.
Paul
reminds these brethren of what he has been through.
And he will continue to do so.
He has acted with integrity in all things.
That is why he says, “be imitators of me.”
ii.
NOTE: We
KNOW Paul is not seeking praise or a following for himself.
Throughout his letters he emphasized the need to follow Christ.
Especially 1 Cor. 11:1 where he said, “Imitate me, just as I also
imitate Christ.” Also see
Phil. 3:17, Eph. 5:1, 2 Thess. 3:9, 1 Thess. 1:6, etc.
iii.
There is
not better way to teach others than by being a proper example:
1.
You can
say, as Paul did, “Imitate me.” Matthew 5:13-15 – salt and light,
Philippians 2:15, we shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation.
2.
BUT,
because you are a proper example, you have credibility.
Paul will appeal to his example later on – 2 Cor. 7:2, 2 Thess.
3:7-9, Acts 20:33,
2 Cor. 11:9-10, “And
when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for
what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in
everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will
keep myself.”
e.
To send
them help (17)
i.
Paul was
in a circumstance where he could not come to Corinth as he wrote this
letter. But that did not
mean he could not do anything.
So he sent Timothy to them.
ii.
Timothy’s
presence would verify Paul’s message – he could clarify for Paul what
his intentions were AND he could encourage them to do what was right.
iii.
Lesson:
There are many different ways to help, even in preaching the gospel:
1.
We can
support those who preach in other places
2.
We can
write letters
3.
We can
visit or send someone to help.
f.
To
remind them of the truth of the gospel,
i.
There are
times that what one needs is a reminder.
NOTE in these verses that they were not hearing anything new.
Paul said that Timothy would REMIND them of his ways.
ii.
Paul wrote
letters to remind others – Eph. 3:3-4, etc.
Peter wrote reminders – 2 Peter 1:12
iii.
NOTE: Paul said that what he
would remind them of was “as I teach everywhere in every church.”
Paul only had ONE gospel and it was the same everywhere he went.
Contrast this with the division of the Corinthians AND the
religious division we see in the denominational world today.
Galatians 1:6-9 warns us not to ADD anything to the word of God.
II.
Paul’s planned visit (18-21)
a.
Vs. 18 –
some were falsely accusing Paul with arrogance
b.
“If the
Lord will” – ultimately it was up to God.
Never forget this.
c.
His
purpose – to reveal the power of God’s word and kingdom (as opposed to
the wisdom of man). Had what
they offered really given them as much as what God offers?
d.
His hope –
that he can come with love and gentleness instead of a rod.
e.
His
courage - if he came it mattered not.
He would do what was right.
The idea of a rod is a staff used to physically punish.
Paul was not speaking of physical, corporal punishment but using
the word of God to rebuke and scold.
There IS A PLACE for such rebuke.