June 23, 2024

REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS

June 23, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Have you ever asked yourself what God counts as faithfulness? Is it being obedient in the things He has asked us to do, loving Him, and loving others?  If you look at the passages in Scripture on the subject of faithfulness, you’ll see most are focused on God being the One who is faithful. As Paul points out in 1 Cor. 4, as he writes to the church at Corinth to encourage and correct them, we must be a willing servant, a good steward (manager) of what God has given us, and always are to be found faithful to Him each day.

 

Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21.

Understanding our position:

  • Read 1 Cor. 4:1-2. What was Paul’s main theme in Chapter 1, and the theme of Chapter 2? Why was he so uneasy over their relationship to God in Chapter 3?
  • Now, in Chap. 4, he continues his correction. How will our lives show we are Christ-followers if we are faithful in these two areas (being a servant to God and to other people, and being a good manager of what God has placed under our control)?
  • Read James 1:1a. How does James introduce himself? How is a reputation for faithfulness to God obvious? What does a faithful servant do?
  • When someone gives you something to take care of, do you treat it as if it were your own, and precious? Can you honestly say you consider all of your “stuff” to be on loan from God? What about items in your attic, storage buildings, or basements? Could they be helping other people? What would a good manager do?

Having the proper perspective:                                                                                                                         

  • Read 1 Cor. 4:3-5. What now becomes Paul’s main concern? Something has come to his attention concerning his reputation. What seems to be his situation?
  • How did Paul respond to people judging him? What should be our attitude if someone uses criticism, rumors, gossip, etc., against us as one of God’s servants?
  • Why should we not judge ourselves? Why are we so often our own worst critic? Who is the only one who should judge us? Does God see us the way we see ourselves?
  • Why is God’s judgment the only one that would be correct? How do we remain accountable to others without incurring judgment?

Walking in humility:

  • Read vv. 6-13. What seems to be the main type of language Paul uses in these verses? What was his position of authority? Who called him to be an apostle? He knew where his apostleship came from; did anyone in Corinth have the right to condemn him?
  • What are some of the things he went through (in this passage) as an apostle? Yet how were the Corinthians treating him?
  • Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to understand their true position in Christ. What attitude did he want them to have? Do we consider ourselves to be humble in what God has called us to do? In our heart, are we truly humble, or do we think we deserve better (sometimes even better than what God gives us..)?

In what really matters:

  • Read vv. 14-21. How does Paul change his tone with the church? How can we liken this to raising our children in the faith, doing our best, only to see them accept the world’s values? Can we be assured that God will bring the church to where it should be?
  • Read Heb. 12:2 and John 17:12, 18:9. How do these passages comfort us when there are things outside our control? Read 1 Cor. 11:1. If we imitate Christ, will we win? How will we be spoken of if we serve well those with whom we come in contact, manage well what God has given us, and are found faithful to the end?

TAKE AWAYS:

  • Know that it’s all his anyway (vs 2-we are stewards of all He has given us).
  • Know everything we do, private and public, is in the eyesight of God (vs 5b).
  • Know where our power comes from (vs 20).

Close: 

                  Years ago, a famous movie, Ben Hur, was filmed as the story of a Jew who eventually rode in the Roman gladiator race against a Roman friend. At one point, Judah Ben Hur (Charlton Heston) was sentenced to life as a slave, spending time rowing on the lowest level of a Roman ship. More than likely, nearly every adult who has seen the movie recalls vividly the scene in the galley of the ship, with the slaves or prisoners chained to the boat. Had it sunk, all lives of those who rowed would have been lost. This example of “under-rowing” is the word used in verse 1 as servants of Christ.

We should be so sold out to Him that everything we do is as His slave, happily serving Him in all areas of our lives. We should also see everything we own as something He has given us to use, to share, and to take care of as we try to be a faithful steward of all that He has given us. This would especially include our children, for we should raise them to recognize they belong to Him, never putting them down, calling them names, or treating them with disrespect and anger.

Do you understand that everything you own is really His and you try to manage it to the best of your ability? Will you serve Him faithfully as long as you live?

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                June 23, 2024

 

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