The Principle of Stewardship 1 Corinthians 4 1

The Principle of Stewardship 1 Corinthians 4: 1 -5

How We Love to Fight! n Don’t You Miss Football!? n In Paul’s Day: Real Gladiators! n At Corinth: n Each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul, " and "I of Apollos, " and "I of Cephas, " and "I of Christ. “ (1 Cor. 1: 12) n The Human Condition!

Identity as God’s Stewards n Not Fighting for Human Acclaim Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians 4: 1

Identity as God’s Stewards n Not Fighting for Human Acclaim n The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy? ’ In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4: 2

Identity as God’s Stewards n Not Fighting for Human Acclaim n The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy? ’ n I’m Already Drowning In Wealth! n A Radical Reorientation… Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1: 14

The Freedom of Stewardship n What matters most is Faithfulness! n “Hey, I’m not in it for ME!” n I Can Handle Setbacks In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4: 2

The Freedom of Stewardship n What matters most is Faithfulness! n Rise Above the Court of Human Opinion n You’re not my boss! But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court… 1 Corinthians 4: 3

The Freedom of Stewardship n What matters most is Faithfulness! n Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… n Rising Above My Own Insecurities but when they measure themselves by myself, For I am conscious of nothing against …heart in fact, I do not even examine themselves and compare themselves with "The is more deceitful than all else 1 And is yet I am not by this acquitted; Corinthians themselves, theycan areunderstand without desperately Who it? ‘I, the myself. 1 Corinthians 4: 3 understanding. 4: 4 sick; 2 Corinthians 10: 12 LORD, search the heart, I test the mind…’” Jer. 17: 9 -

The Freedom of Stewardship n What matters most is Faithfulness! n Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… n Rising Above My Own Insecurities n Living for God’s Praise … but the one who examines me is the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4: 4

The Implications of Stewardship n Stop Being a Judge! Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord And He also told this parable to In that you judge another, you comes who will both bring to light the some people who trusted in condemn yourself Rom. 2: 2 things hidden in the darkness and themselves that they were righteous, disclose the motives of men's hearts… and viewed others with contempt… 1 Corinthians 4: 5 Luke 18: 9

The Implications of Stewardship n n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, themy Spirit is from God, inso that Forbut I, on part, who though absent body we may know the given tojudged us by but present in things spirit, freely have already God, him 1 Corinthians 2: 12 who has so committed this, as though But he who is spiritual appraises all I were present… 1 Cor. 5: 3 things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Corinthians 2: 15

The Implications of Stewardship n n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… n n Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint "Do not judge according to appearance, but But he with whorighteous is spiritual appraises all 7: 24 judge judgment. “ John things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Corinthians 2: 15

The Implications of Stewardship "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know n them by their fruits… Matthew 7: 15 -16 n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… n n n Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint By Spiritual Fruit

But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have senses The Implications of their Stewardship trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews n Stop 5: 14 Being a Judge! n Instead, Discern… n n Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint By Spiritual Fruit By God’s Word

The Implications of Stewardship n n n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation …the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12: 10

The Implications of Stewardship n n n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation n i. e. , Motives-Focused … wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts… 1 Corinthians 4: 5

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; of Stewardship The Implications And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. n. Psalms 139: 23 -24 n n Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation n n i. e. , Motives-Focused or: vague, un-redemptive, unbiblical, sweeping attack!

When the Dust Settles… Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4: 5