Grace, Not Greatness

1. SERVANTS AND STEWARDS (vv. 1–5)

• 1 Corinthians 4:1 A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God.
• Servants of Christ: 
• Under-Rower:
• Stewards of the mysteries of God: 
• A steward managed a household on behalf of the owner. Paul sees himself as entrusted with the gospel—the revelation of God’s plan in Christ (Eph. 3:4–6).
• 1 Corinthians 4:2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found FAITHFUL.
• AM I FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS?
• In being with God daily through prayer and His Word
• In making disciples of my children
• In living for Christ in all areas of my life even when people are not watching.
• In serving the community of which I belong.
• HE DOESN’T JUDGE HIMSELF -
• 1 Corinthians 4:3–5 (CSB) It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

1. Only God: 
2. Sees the heart. 
3. PRAISE WILL COME FROM GOD…TO EACH ONE.
4. HUMILITY OVER PRIDE (vv. 6–7)

• Paul warns them not to go beyond what is written, and not to be “puffed up” in favor of one leader over another. Then he asks a piercing question:
• 1 Corinthians 4:6–7 (CSB) Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 
• Everything we have—spiritual gifts, opportunities, resources, influence—comes from God’s grace.
• Scriptural reinforcement: 
• James 1:17–18 (CSB) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1. THE WAY OF THE CROSS (vv. 8–13)

• Paul then contrasts the Corinthians’ inflated view of themselves with the reality of the apostles’ lives:
• 1 Corinthians 4:8 (CSB) You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 
• 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are WEAK, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are DISHONORED! ¹¹Up to the present hour we are both HUNGRY AND THIRSTY; we are POORLY CLOTHED, roughly treated, HOMELESS; ¹²we LABOR, working with our own hands. 
• When we are reviled, we bless; 
• when we are persecuted, we endure it; 
• ¹³when we are slandered, we respond graciously. 
• Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.
• Paul was presenting a life they would have found contemptible. The Greeks found no honor in manual labor, weakness, being poorly clothed or homeless.
• Luke 9:23–24 (CSB) Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 
• Sometimes faithfulness will mean rejection at work, strained friendships, or even hostility from culture. The measure of our discipleship is not comfort but cross-bearing.

1. SPIRITUAL PARENTING AND IMITATION (vv. 14–21)

• PAUL SHIFTS HIS TONE He moves to an attitude of tenderness.
• 1 Corinthians 4:14 (CSB) I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. 
• 1 Corinthians 4:15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 
• Paul is their Pastor…their spiritual father
• We don’t understand this language because we don’t want someone over us.
• As a father, he urges them: “Be imitators of me.” (v. 16)
• 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about MY WAYS IN CHRIST JESUS, just as I teach everywhere in every church. [I’m teaching this to everyone I speak to.] 
• This isn’t arrogance—Paul isn’t claiming perfection. He’s modeling discipleship. Hebrews 13:7 says, 
• Hebrews 13:7  Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
• Paul ends by asking if he should come with a rod or with love and gentleness (v. 21).
• 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, BUT THE POWER of those who are arrogant. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 
• ²¹What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Reflection/Application Questions

1. What is the difference between success as the world defines it and faithfulness as God defines it?
2. In what areas of your life is it hardest for you to be faithful when no one is watching?
3. How does remembering that you are a “servant” and “steward” change how you view your gifts, resources, and influence?
4. What are some ways pride has shown up in your life recently? How can gratitude replace it?
5. The Corinthians wanted the crown without the cross. What are ways we are tempted to want Christianity without cost today?
6. What might it look like for you to “take up your cross” this week in your workplace, school, or home?
7. Who has been a spiritual parent in your life? What impact did they have?
8. Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him. Who are you imitating in your Christian walk? What specific qualities make someone worth imitating spiritually?
9. Who might God be calling you to spiritually invest in right now?
10. How can our church resist the temptation of celebrity culture and instead cultivate humility and discipleship?
11. If Paul were to visit our church today, what tone would he come with—gentle encouragement or strong correction? Why?

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE READING SCRIPTURE

What does this reveal about God?

What does this reveal about you in relation to God?

What do you need to do about it?