First Corinthians 4 Part 1 Are We Christ's Faithful Ministers And Stewards?

Follow Jesus Christ our Lord and Master.

1 Corinthians 3:20-23  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21)  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22)  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23)  And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 

God used the apostle Paul to remind us once again that the Lord of glory knows all of our thoughts and what is in the mind of those who think they are wise.

Do not glory or boast or exalt men. Do not be a man follower unless that man is pointing you to Jesus Christ, our model.

The Christian has been granted all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. We are safe, sanctified and secure in Christ. 

Those who were causing division by promoting man following, also cast doubt upon Paul's apostolic authority.

The Spirit of God led Paul to address this issue of having a haughty spirit toward God's commissioned spokesmen.

What is a faithful minister and steward of the gospel? 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2)  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  

Paul uses a nautical term in this verse. The Greek word translated "minister" refers to an under rower in a large sailing vessel. 

Under rowers took a position in the lowest part of the ship and rowed in sync with other men so that the ship could make forward progress. 

Usually there was a higher ranking shipmate making sure they kept up the proper cadence.

It was physically hard work under very challenging circumstances.

None of the apostles, including Paul, sought any notoriety or fame for themselves (See Acts 10:1-26; Acts 14:8-18). 

Rather than acting as rulers over the church, the apostles considered themselves as under rowers, commissioned by Christ to carry out the Great Commission.  

Yet, they were also Christ's anointed spokesmen, and they were to receive proper respect from church members. 

The apostles (along with evangelists, teachers and lay leaders) should not be put on a more prominent plane than another believer in Christ.

Why? Because  they are ministers, not masters, stewards and not lords. Thus, we must properly respect those who preach the Word and who seek to lead us in the ways of God.

Those who preach the Word must maintain the humble heart of a servant seeking to carry out the commands of our Master, Jesus Christ.

For each apostle was a servant of Christ, employed in His work, and sent on His errand. 

They were dispensers of the mysteries of God, declaring those truths which had been hidden from the world in ages and generations past. 

They had no authority to propagate anything other than Christian faith.  

The apostles were stewards not of common things of the world, but of Divine mysteries. They had received a great trust and an honourable office from Jesus Christ. 

They did not seek authority like a master, but they deserved respect and esteem for faithfully preaching the gospel of Christ. 

A faithful steward will be rewarded but an unfaithful one will be punished.

Matthew 24:45-51  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47)  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48)  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49)  And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50)  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51)  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Jesus taught that a faithful steward will provide food, clothing and shelter necessary for this life. The good steward or minister of the gospel of Christ will be blessed for faithfully discharging his gospel duties.

However, an unfaithful steward of the gospel will be punished if he does not faithfully carry out the Great Commission. 

This is something that the health, wealth and happiness preachers who propagate a false gospel, should take note of. 

The Lord of glory will judge them for spreading false teaching and instructing their disciples to be worldly instead of holy, loving money instead of loving Christ. 

A steward was his master’s representative in regulating the family, providing food for the household, seeing it served at the proper times and seasons, and in proper quantities. 

He received all the funds necessary for his work and he spent what was necessary for the support of his master's family. 

He kept an exact accounting ledger and was obligated at certain times to provide a report to his master.

You see how this connects with apostolic ministry. Christ called His apostles and commissioned them. He gave them the power and strength needed for preaching the gospel. 

Each Christian will stand before Christ at His judgment seat to give an account of how we used our time, talents and resources. 

In like manner the apostles of Christ will also make a report to Jesus of their gospel labors.

As Paul defends his apostleship to those who cast his authority in doubt, he is saying "If you want to judge me, judge me by this standard. Am I a faithful under rower, serving the lord Jesus Christ? Am I a faithful steward of the gospel mysteries, declaring them to you?" 

The mysteries and doctrines of God relative to the salvation of the world include the passion and death of Christ, and the inspiration, illumination, and purification of the soul by the Spirit of Christ. 

Such sublime truths constitute a principal part of the heavenly treasure entrusted to the hands of the stewards by their heavenly Master. 

Their duty is to feed the flock of God by dispensing spiritual food from God's Word. 

They must do this at proper times, seasons, and in proper proportions to the children of faith in the Church, which is the house of God.

Paul is essentially saying that the Corinthians should compare him to this standard and determine if he faithfully served his Master, Jesus Christ.

God has given each Christian many gifts. What are we doing with them?

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

Peter tells us what a good steward of Christ is like. 

Each Christian has received the gift of God's grace through salvation, and the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God. 

We have received the gift of God's inspired scriptures to guide our lives. 

A good steward will minister to others with these precious gifts. 

Are we telling others about sin, death, hell, eternal condemnation, and about Jesus Christ our Savior, salvation and heaven?

Does our walk with the Lord match what we profess to believe?

Are we worshiping God in Spirit and in truth? 

Are we studying and laboring to really learn what God says to us in His Word?

Are we being transformed more and more into the image of Christ through the ministry of God's Spirit with the Word in our hearts?

Proverbs 13:17  A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 

A faithful ambassador is a blessing to all people that he interacts with. Remember, that we are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. 

An ambassador is like an intermediary between two different nations.

An ambassador of the United States  serving in another country, is still legally bound to obey the laws of America. 

He must faithfully represent American interests, policies and guidance to the government of the land where he serves. 

Thus, he must communicate clearly and accurately. He must not compromise America's interests or policies. 

2 Corinthians 5:20-21  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

Each believer in Christ is one of His ambassadors. 

We live in the world, but our citizenship is in heaven (See Philippians 3:20-21; Ephesians 2:19).

We are obligated to obey God's laws and man's laws as as long as they do not conflict with God's law.

We are not to compromise the truth of God's Word, but we are to share it with others in this world where we live. 

We are to communicate heaven's agenda and the gospel of Christ plainly and accurately, so that there is no misunderstanding.

We are to live for God's glory as long as He gives us breath. We are in the world but not of this world.

Our Master is Jesus Christ. His agenda is advancing the kingdom of God through gospel preaching by His faithful ambassadors. 

Let us labor for our Master each day, as His faithful ambassadors, pointing people to Christ, and salvation.

Bob