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A
Steward
Must Be Found Faithful
–
First Corinthians Four –
Here Paul gave some very specific instructions
as to how he, the other apostles of our Lord and other ministers of the gospel
should be looked upon. Even though apostles and gospel preachers are to be
loved and appreciated by the people to whom they have brought the gospel they
are only to be looked upon as servants. Preachers or ministers of the gospel
are stewards of God and it is their responsibility to be found faithful.
Paul wanted it understood that an apostle or the preacher is not
what is important. However, the honorable work of delivering God's message is a
great work. He fully understood that his task was to please God in his
preaching and his work. With our focus on God our hearts will stay humble; men
that overly value themselves or other men soon fall because of their pride.
Many temptations and problems come to those that value themselves
to highly. They reject the gospel and the apostles or preachers that delivered
it unto them. They begin to pass pre-mature judgments that man has no right to
be involved with. A sinner snatched from destructtion
by the grace of God is not in a position to pass prideful judgment on anyone. The
good in our lives is goodness received from God.
The apostles had suffered greatly in order to bring the gospel to
the world. This suffering and shame was endured in order that many might be
begotten through the gospel. These men suffered poverty and contempt that the
gospel might reach the masses of humanity. Even though these brethren were cast
off by the world they were precious to God because they were His faithful stewards.
Paul should have been looked upon with respect by the Corinthians. He was their
spiritual father. There were problems in the church at
A challenge concerning preachers – I Corinthians 4:1-6: First
Corinthians four is a contrast between the "faithful" and the
"faithless" stewards of God. Paul said that he, his fellow apostles
and other gospel preachers were "ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God." They were not great men that the church
should divide over. They were merely inferior servants under Christ doing His
appointed work. They were "stewards of the
mysteries of God." The "Mysteries of God" refers to the doctrine
of salvation for the world by the precious blood of Jesus.
As the church divided over preachers they would pass their
judgment on the various men involved. Some of their judgment would likely be
unfavorable because these brethren did not seek their own glory; instead they
sought the glory of God and the salvation of lost souls. Paul did not choose to
be involved with man's self appointed judgment; rather he was willing to leave
himself in the hands of God for judgment. Paul was
not conscience of any evil in his life yet he was well aware that final
judgment must be left to God.
Paul said that although he knew nothing that he was guilty of he
could not pronounce him innocent before God. He knew that he had to leave that
matter with the Almighty. The faithful apostles would have praise from God at judgment because they stood as faithful stewards. Paul did
not directly use the names of those causing the division at
A caution against sinful pride – I Corinthians 4:7-13: The
faithless stewards were acting like they were the source of the good things
they possessed. These faithless stewards were filled with destructive pride. In
sarcasm Paul rebuked them saying, "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." (1 Corinthians 4:8)
In contrast with the pride and position of the faithless steward
the faithful steward was made a "spectacle to the
world." The godly steward was looked upon as a fool. (I
Corinthians 4:10) He was often physically weak. (I Corinthians 4:10) He was
despised by the world. (I Corinthians 4:10) The faithful steward was hungry,
thirsty and without proper clothing. (I Corinthians 4:11) At times the faithful
steward was treated harshly and was homeless. (I Corinthians 4:11) These great
stewards of God did backbreaking labor and even blessed their enemies. Through
all of this they were looked upon as the world's garbage. (I Corinthians
4:12-13) God had another view of them. He saw them as "Faithful
Stewards."
A charge regarding their spiritual father – I
Corinthians 4:14-16: Paul wrote these things to the Christians at
Paul instructed the Corinthians, "be ye followers of me." Paul called on these brethren to mimic or
imitate him as he claimed them as spiritual children. He lived
for God and he likewise wanted them to live for God.
A command for Timothy to come – I Corinthians
4:17-21: Paul sent Timothy unto them that they might learn how to
imitate him. Their imitation of Paul simply meant that they followed the way of
Christ. Timothy was Paul's son in the faith and his closest co-worker. What
Paul expected of the church at
Some of the teachers at
Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your
Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans
- - -
Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of
Prayers: Jerry Barr, Mae Beverly, Tyler Clark, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell,
Wanda Kyser, Jo Ann Moorer,
Amanda Phillips, Mary Powell, Denver Reynolds, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Steve Smith, Brenda Stallings, Earl
& Jane Walden, Leroy Waller, and Mary Williams. Crowne
Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle
Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. The Lord’s Invitation:
Dennis Phillips and Steven Hoffman responded to the Lord’s invitation last
Sunday. Continue to pray for these two godly men as they strive to walk with
God.
3. Please Pray For: The
following people are serving in
4. Birthdays: October
18th
Paige Barr, and October 19th Anita Sanders and Gregory Schroeder.
5. Area Wide Youth Devotional:
There will be a youth devotional for the
6. Ladies Bible Class:
The Wednesday morning ladies Bible class meets at
7. Bulletin Boards:
Attention Teachers: it is now time to put up new bulletin boards for the fall.
If you need help please see Lisa Bagents. Thanks for
all you do to keep our building looking great.
8. Pray For Our Work In
9. Dishes In
The All-Purpose Room: There are many dishes in the all-purpose room.
Please collect those that belong to you.
10. Carl Sessions
11. The Reporter: “The Reporter” can be seen on our web-site or you can receive it by e-mail. Send e-mail request to: wschurchofchrist@came
lliacom.com. If you receive the Reporter by mail and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be grateful as postage is so expensive. The website address is: http:\\www.
walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.
12. Radio Programs: Remember to hear our programs and tell others
to listen. Sunday: 95.9 at
13. Jail Class: Darrell
Powell and Charles Box teach classes at the Butler County Jail each Tuesday
morning at
14. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) October 14th – Homecoming – Luverne Church of Christ – Speaker Lee Jamieson – Time Bible Class 9:30 and Worship 10:30 a.m. and worship q:30 p.m. (b) October 21st – Dalraida Church of Christ – Theme “The Quran & New Testament Christianity” – Speaker Dave Miller – Time Bible Study 9:00 and Worship 10:00 a.m. and Worship 6:00 p.m.
If I Were The Devil
"I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world; I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around; I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership; I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies; I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life; I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings; I would take God out of the schools; I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young; I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda; I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation; I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens. and I would call it art; I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled; I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who refer to their agenda as politically correct; I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive; I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional; I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are." (Adapted-Paul Harvey)
How much of the Devil’s agenda has worked on you? James encouraged Christians to actively draw near to God and resist the devil (James 4:7-8). You won’t win spiritual battles by taking a passive approach to either of those endeavors. To be successful spiritually involves being in the right places, staying away from the wrong ones, praying regularly, and Christian fellowship (making sure your children participate in Christian fellowship…how much chance do you think your children have spiritually if they don’t surround themselves with Christians while they are young?) The Devil may be winning many battles here on earth, but you don’t have to let him win in your life. Be a faithful Christian and take a victory away from the devil.
- - - - Darrell Powell
I have learned
that when I have pain, I don’t have to be one!
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)