May 26, 2013
Morning Service

We are looking at the Scriptures that mentions the Lord’s returning to this earth.  We have already looked at the Scriptures in which Peter mentions it, and now we are with the Apostle Paul.  I thought it interesting that Paul never mentioned it in any of his sermons in the book of Acts.

 

Last Wednesday evening we looked at ICor. 1:7-8;  Paul starts this letter out with reference to the Lord’s return.

1Co 1:4-8  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;  (5)  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  (6)  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:  (7)  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (8)  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Paul mentions the Lord’s return 5 times in this first letter to the Corinthians.  This morning we want to look at chapter four, and the admonitions from Paul that surround this topic.

 

1Co 4:1-21  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

·         Paul is an Apostle, but yet refers to himself, and others, as ministers of Christ, and stewards.

·         Minister = 1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another;    And what is this business that needs transacted, the preaching of the Gospel, in the authority of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

·         Steward = 5. In Scripture and theology, a minister of Christ, whose duty is to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines and administer its ordinances.

 

Notice Paul’s understanding of the word steward.

(2)  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

Jesus used this idea of faithfulness in one of His parables.

·         Luk 16:2  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

 

(3)  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.  (4)  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  (5)  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

·         Jesus said; Mat 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged.

·         Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

·         2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Then notice what he says;

·         2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

 

(6)  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 

·         Just earlier in this letter he got on to them for having preacher religion.

·         You know having a favorite preacher!!  It’s not to be done in such a manner as it causes division.

 

Notice what he says;

 

(7)  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 

·         Don’t be thinking that you are really something because God has given you a certain gift.  Learn to be a servant, and not puffed up, and He will lift you up.

(8)  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.  (9)  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 

·         Can you feel the pressure that the Apostle is expressing?

(10)  We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.  (11)  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;  (12)  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:  (13)  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 

·         Most of us would say, “Paul what are you talking about, you guys are the greatest, and most admired by all of us.”  And he might say like Jesus did, “take and sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and follow me.”   That’s what these Apostles have done.  Given all.

(14)  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.  (15)  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 

·         You came to be children of God, because you believed my preaching.

(16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 

·         You see, statements like this are from the lips of God.

(17)  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.  (18)  Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.  (19)  But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.  (20)  For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 

·         The kingdom of God is not in words which are puffed up, and boastful, but in the power of the Holy Ghost, in born again lives. 

(21)  What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

·         I will always choose love, and meekness, over harsh rebuke.

 

But Paul had this authority, as he proved when he cast the spirit of divination out of a person one time.  He spoke in all the authority of God.

 

The Lord will come, and bring all things to light.  We all will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to receive the things done in the body, whether good or evil.  Even so, come Lord Jesus.