Day 1,019: 1 Corinthians 4- Everywhere And In Every Church

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

​Meditation
Paul taught many things to the early Church, including salvation by faith alone, through grace alone, Christ’s work alone, and for God’s glory alone. But only one thing did Paul ever explicitly say he taught “everywhere and in every church,” to imitate him in his suffering.
 
Faithful stewardship is costly, and as a cherry on top of Paul’s argument for unity in the church of Corinth, Paul describes his own stewardship. Rather than a personality that polarizes the church, Paul is a servant who stewards the mysteries of God (1). The Lord alone will judge his leadership (and Apollos’, too- 2-7). To emphasize his servant and steward leadership, Paul invites the church in Corinth to imitate him in his suffering.
 
Rather than ruling like a king, the planting pastor of Corinth was a fool for Christ, weak in the world’s eyes (8-10). The list for imitation is not comfortable: Hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, homeless, and self-sustaining. When hated, Paul loved. When persecuted, Paul persevered. Paul and his planting posse stewarded their role as servants of the church so much so that they became “scum of the world, refuse of all things” (11-13). Paul’s plea for imitation of this level of leadership is the one thing Paul explicitly says he taught everywhere, and in every church. (17)
 
Paul knows the power of Christ’s kingdom, cruciform leadership rather than talk, talk, talk (20). God’s grace is sufficient for stewarding leadership with servant sacrifice pointing to our Savior. Truly, God’s power in leadership is made perfect in our weakness as servants.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you surprised by the one thing Paul says he taught everywhere and in every church? Why or why not?
 
-Do you see church leaders imitating Paul today? Do you in your leadership, or is your life and leadership more marked by imitating the leadership style of the culture?
 
-Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us, an example to follow. Paul followed the steps of Jesus and invited others to follow him in living as the servant of servants in order to steward the
mysteries of God for the church. How can you join in imitating him in your life and leadership? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.