January 16, 2022

True Spirituality

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13
Service Type:

Introduction

What is true spirituality?

Someone who has triumphant faith?
A successful Christian seeing conversions and church growth?
Someone strong in faith and belief – always overcoming?

Paul and the apostles faced a lot of criticism – being told they were weak

2 Cor 10:10 – a weak body and contemptible speech
1 Cor 9:1 – questioning if he was an apostle
1 Cor 4:13 – treated really badly

Not just criticism from the world – but from brothers and sisters
Paul was their spiritual father – yet they were treating him badly

v3 – Paul was not licking his wounds but thinking this overall a small thing

This is a great mark of true spirituality

Overview:

A humble response
A candid response

A humble response (v1-5)

Do not consider us as a ‘great’ speaker but as stewards and servants

How do you respond to criticism?
Do you try to elevate yourself?
Paul does not do this – “Consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries if God” (v1)

Paul says he would rather be with them / he thanks God for all their gifts

He waits to reply to the criticism until chapter 4
He does not elevate himself but teaching
He does not elevate men – 1 Cor 3:5-6

‘Servant of Christ’

The Greek word meaning an ‘under rower’
A slave in the bottom hull of the boat, rowing away

‘Stewards’

Someone who works on behalf of another
Paul passes on what he has received from God – 1 Cor 15:3
Someone who is faithful (v2)

v3 – Do not worry about what others think of you / what matters is what God thinks about us

God will be the one to judge v4-5
What we do will (should) bring praise to God
We should not take things to heart and fear man
Quote from Matthew Henry
Ecc 7:21-22

Do not be too introspective about yourself

Do not be so inward looking that you condemn yourself and stunt your Christian life
Quote
Paul does not judge himself – putting things in the past behind him
Rom 14:4, 2 Tim 4:8, 2 Cor 10:18

A candid response (v6-13)

v5 – Using ironic language

You are full, you are so successful, you are like kings
O that you were reigning with Christ – but it was not true!
The church was divided

v6 – Paul has transferred the image of a servant and steward to himself so teach them not to boast

They were boasting about their experience and abilities
They were not to be puffed up one against the other

v7 – Remember that God and Jesus Christ is head of the Church

Different gifts are given to different believers
1 Cor 15:9-10 – consider yourself the least, by the grace of God
Do not boast

Saying the opposite to make a point

v8-9 – He really wants them to consider what is going on
v10 – The apostles seem to be foolish and the Corinthians wise!

What does it mean to be spiritual?

Example
v11 – They had a harsh life
v12 – They laboured
v13 – They were treated very badly but they did not respond in kind

Applications

The danger of virtual church – comfortable Christianity
The danger of the cult of the personality
True spirituality is rooted in humility
This passage is very liberating