Servant And Steward (1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 1:1-6)
Rev. William L. Barron, October 28, 2018Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
In this world, we often see division and contentious leaders. Among the Corinthians, there was disagreement about the qualifications necessary for apostleship. Paul taught that they were using the wrong criteria and making wrong judgments. We are reminded that the Church was built on the foundation of the Word brought through the apostles. The Greek word used for servants connoted galley slaves (rowers) or domestic workers. This brings to mind the passage about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Servants of Christ are called to serve the church, but not as masters over disciples. Stewards are called to accountability and trustworthiness. The court Paul refers to is an ecclesiastical court. Paul does not trust himself as the ultimate judge. He says that what matters is what God thinks about him. We usually use false criteria to judge. We judge ourselves and convince ourselves that we are pretty good. Receiving praise feels good, but really we are doing what has been commanded. When we serve the Church, we are serving God. We stand before God, not man, and it is a privilege to serve Him. We can be premature in our judgments, claiming to ourselves that we possess superior knowledge. We must be faithful to the tasks given to us by God. Will we stand only for God? He will know.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Instruction On True Worship | None | John The Rabbit » |
1 Corinthians 4:1–5 (Listen)
4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
(ESV)
Psalm 1 (Listen)
1:1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
(ESV)