Be faithful

 

1 Cor 4:1-2

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

 

1.      Paul starts off this chapter by reminding the Corinthians of three things.  He says first, when you think of us or have regards for us look at us this way.  He is setting their mental mood.  He is giving them a path to mentally follow.  When you see us, this is the way you should look at us, 

2.      We are servants of the Christ.  He is our master, leader, role model, mentor, and authority.  We are love slaves to Him.  We go, say, and do what He wants us to do.  Paul is saying that they are servant leaders.  A servant leader is as follows.  Listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building the family or community of God.

3.      Paul then outlines that he and His party have been entrusted with the mysteries of God.  Did you know that there are seven mysteries that Paul revealed or opened us for us his audience?

 

a.      The Mystery of the Incarnation (I Timothy 3:16)

b.      The Mystery of the Blindness of Israel (Romans 11:25-26)

c.      The Mystery of the Church (Ephesians 3:1-10)

d.      The Mystery of the Indwelling Christ (Colossians 1:25-28)

e.      The Mystery of the Headship of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32)

f.       The Mystery of the Translation of the Church (I Corinthians 15:50-58)

g.      The Mystery of Lawlessness (II Thessalonians 2:1-9)

 

4.      God has given and entrusted Paul to reveal and explain these mysteries. We are still learning the mysteries of God revealed to Paul. 

5.      God has such confidence in Paul’s ability to understand and explain these mysteries.  I trust that he can entrust us with truth and reveal it to our generation. 

 

2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

 

1.      God is only looking for one thing from us and that we are found faithful. 

2.      Skill and learning come along with the job.  I like how one person put it.  God take the unqualified and makes them qualified.  Gideon was not a mighty man of valor when he was called but he became one through obedience.  David started out as a shepherd and then grew into time as a king.  Joseph learned to be a Prime Minister during those years he was a slave and a prisoner. 

3.      Along the way you get the skill, education, and experience to become someone else