Entrusted (Message 1)

Two Lessons for this Series

We will each give an account of our SERVICE to Christ before an AUDIENCE of one.

We have been entrusted with AUTHORITY and power to demonstrate the way of the CROSS.

Entrusted with Authority

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1.) Jesus’ command to go MAKE, BAPTIZE, and TEACH disciples was established on the basis of the authority given to him.

2.) By the end of chapter three, the matter of DIVISION over men had been concluded. God alone established and built up the church so NO room was left for BOASTING.
1 Corinthians 3:21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders!

3.) The next matter was Paul’s AUTHORITY over the church of Corinth, which was being challenged by some individuals within the church (So then . . . This, then . . .)

Be Faithful

1 Corinthians 4:1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

1.) In chapter 3, Paul had referred to himself, Peter, and APOLLOS as servants - διάκονος (“bus boys”).

2.) Here, Paul also called them servants, but he used language with a DIFFERENT word picture - ὑπηρέτας Χριστοῦ καί οἰκονόμος, which might be rendered “stewards (managers) of Christ and those given charge.”

3.) God’s SERVANTS must live worthy of the trust placed in their care! They are not measured by eloquence, nor wisdom, nor initiative, nor success; but by FAITHFULNESS to the trust given to them.

Do not be the Judge

1 Corinthians 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1.) Paul wanted them to stop examining him and to stop handing down a VERDICT on him. He did not even have the position to judge himself.

2.) Only One has the Authority to be Paul’s judge:

a. He is a servant of the Lord (ὁ κύριος - “the MASTER of the house”).

b. There is a time appointed for the Lord to judge those who serve Him. The time is still yet to come.

c. Only the Lord can examine His servants properly by bringing to light what is hidden and exposing what motivates the heart.

d. Only the Lord can hand down a verdict on His own servants.

3.) Regarding the coming judgment, Paul moved directly from exposing what is hidden to each receiving PRAISE.
1 Corinthians 4:5b He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

4.) GOOD NEWS ALERT! God has already paid the punishment of our sins and shortcomings through Christ at the cross.
Romans 8:1a There is, then, now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus . . .

We can live free from CONDEMNATION by remembering God is our Only judge.

Follow the way of the cross

1.) Some Corinthian believers had come to think of themselves as already possessing the REIGN of God’s eternal kingdom.
1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

2.) Paul’s questions gave three reasons of why they should remain humble: 1.) They are like everyone else; 2.) They have only what they have received; 3.) They cannot take credit for what was given to them.

1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

3.) Paul concluded this section by contrasting their thinking about themselves to the reality of being a SERVANT for Christ.

YOU ARE . . .
WE ARE . . .

already satisfied
already rich
already kings (reigning) condemned, a spectacle
wise in Christ fools for Christ
strong weak
honored
condemned, a spectacle
wise in Christ fools for Christ
strong weak
honored dishonored
hungry & thirsty
in rags
brutally treated
homeless
engaged in manual labor
cursed (we bless)
persecuted (we endure)
slandered (we answer kindly)
considered scum, refuse

Application

You are also a servant of Jesus . . . be faithful in what is entrusted
to you.

You are not better than any other servant . . . do not be the judge.

You will one day rule with Christ . . . for now, we follow the way of
the cross.

Next week in 1 Corinthians 4:16, Paul says “imitate me.”

Walk The Talk

Record a list of some of the qualities and characteristics you expect a pastor, Christian teacher, or church leader to possess.

From your list, what is recorded that is something that the pastor, teacher, or leader owes to you? For what is the person accountable to God?

How should we be careful in using the language of “my” pastor or “my” church?

We talked about two Greek words that both are translated as "servant” in English. One is like a “bus boy” and the other is like a “manager.” How can you be faithful to serve in each of these roles?

Paul tells the Corinthians not to judge. Later, Paul tells them to make a judgment. What is the difference between the two types of judgments?