Bethany Bible Church Sunday message; October 14, 2018 from 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Theme: We ought to receive instruction from God’s word as an appeal from a loving father.

(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).

^[1]We come this morning, in our study through 1 Corinthians, to a very passionate and personal appeal from the apostle Paul. His words are tough; but they are also expressed in love.

The apostle had been writing about a very serious problem in the Corinthian church. The believers there had been dividing themselves from one another under their favorite preachers and teachers and apostolic leaders. Some were identifying themselves as under Paul; others as under Apollos; and others as under Peter. And they were measuring and evaluating things on the basis of human standards of wisdom and performance. Paul had written four chapters worth of instructions on this one problem alone—and all the way through, he had been pointing them back to Jesus Christ.

And now—as we come to the closing words of Chapter 4—I’m not really sure if he is giving a closing appeal concerning all that he said before, or an introductory appeal concerning the hard problems that he is about to deal with later on in this letter. Perhaps it’s best to see this passage as both a closing to what came before and an introduction to what lies ahead.

In 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; Paul wrote,

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? (1 Corinthians 4:14-21).

Perhaps you pick up on the same feeling that I do when I read these words. Don’t they sound very much like a loving but firm father giving some important instructions to his dear children? Those children may not like what they hear. They may even be a bit rebellious. The instructions they hear may be things that go completely contrary to what they want to believe—or to what they usually hear from their friends—or to what they really want to do. But they are things that these children absolutely needed to hear—things that their loving father was telling them for their own good.

* * * * * * * * * *

That reminds me of how a lot of the unbelieving people in this world feel about the Bible. They don’t like its teaching or its commands. They want to do what they are inclined to do, and they don’t like it when the Bible tells them that they need to otherwise. The Bible is out of date to them. It’s contrary to them. It goes against the grain.

And the thing is that they’re quite right about that! Isn’t that what we ought to expect?—especially if what the Bible tells us about human beings is true? The Bible teaches us that humanity is fallen in sin—that our first father Adam disobeyed God in the garden; and that he then took all of the rest of his offspring down with him in his fallenness. We are broken in our relationship with our Creator; and we are now born with a rebellious streak in us that fights and fusses against what God tells us to do. We prefer to make our own way—to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong—to guide our own steps—to do what we want.

If the Bible’s report of our human fallenness is true, then it really shouldn’t come as a surprise at all that the Bible often tells us things that are the opposite of what we might want to do. In fact, it would be hard to imagine that it could be otherwise!

Now; I have been seeking to stress that point in our study of 1 Corinthians. I have been saying that the things that we are about to encounter in the next several chapters of this New Testament letter are very contrary to much of what we hear in the world around us today. They touch on such relevant matters as sexual purity, or the design of marriage, or the relationships between husbands and wives, or the exercise of personal rights and liberties, or the freedom to worship as we want, or even the things we do with our own bodies. They are things that the world talks very much about—things about which, to the unbelieving people of this world, are pretty much settled issues—things about which God’s word often commands us to do the exact opposite of what the world around us says we should do.

For that reason, I really have grown to appreciate this otherwise-obscure passage. I believe it presents a very significant call to us, as we live as God’s adopted children in a very difficult and spiritually dark age. It tells us what is necessary in order for us to live the transformed lives that our Father wants us to live through faith in Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the best way to show you what I think this passage is meant to do for us is to remind you of what our Lord once taught His twelve apostles. There was a time when they were arguing among themselves over which of them was the greatest. And the Lord Jesus took a little child to Himself, stood that child in the midst of them all, and told them;

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

And that’s what I believe you and I need to do with the hard teachings of God’s word; dear brothers and sisters. We must not rebel against them or complain or resist—as so many in this world do. Instead, we need to humble ourselves as little children, and listen, and receive what our heavenly Father is telling us. As Paul’s words in this morning’s passage show us, we ought to receive instruction from God’s word as an appeal from a loving father.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Now; let’s look through what Paul tells his fellow Christians in Corinth. They were rebelling against his teaching. They were fussing against God-given instruction given to them through the apostle. And so, he urges them to change the way they are receiving what they hear.

And I truly love how he begins. First of all, he tells them to receive God’s instruction through him …

1. AS TO BELOVED CHILDREN.

In verse 14, he tells them, “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”

I remember the many times when my parents tried to tell me to do things that I didn’t want to do. I thought that they just wanted to ruin my life. Well … if I was honest, I knew that they didn’t really intend to ‘ruin’ my life. But it sure felt as if they would! It felt as if they were going to embarrass me, or confine me in some way, or keep me from doing what all the other kids got to do. And perhaps that’s what the Corinthians felt like with respect to Paul. He was saying some hard things to them. He was going to say some even harder things to them later on in his letter. And they must have thought that he wanted to make them all into weirdos that didn’t fit in with the values and priorities of this world.

But that’s not what he was trying to do at all. He was a loving ‘father-figure’ to them, and good fathers don’t try to humiliate and embarrass their children. Paul once wrote about this to the Colossian believers. He told them, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). From his perspective, he wasn’t trying to discourage them; but rather was trying to “warn” them.

When we’re told that Paul ‘warned’ them, it wasn’t because he was making a threat to them. In the original language, he used a word that means ‘to put someone in mind’ of something. It’s the idea of informing their minds with God’s truth in such a way as to change their actions. Personally, I think that the best way to translate this is to say that Paul did not mean to embarrass them, but rather to ‘admonish’ them. That’s what a good father does to his children. In fact, that’s the kind of manner in which Paul himself put it to them; that he sought to treat them “as my beloved children”.

And dear brothers and sisters in Christ; may I encourage you that this is how we ourselves need to hear God’s word? We need to change our attitude. We need to accept it that when God tells us something that does not fit in with what the rest of the world tells us, God is not trying to rob us of our freedom, or wreck our fun, or turn us into weirdos. He is admonishing us, and instructing us, and setting us on the right path of life—and all because He loves us as His own children by faith in His Son Jesus and wants us to be very happy.

When any good, sound Bible teacher or faithful preacher tells you what God’s word says, and admonishes you to embrace it and obey it—even if it doesn’t fit in with culture, or fashion, or the values and priorities of this world—don’t reject it. Don’t rebel against it. Don’t roll your eyes at it. It comes from love. Receive it as an admonition that comes directly from your loving heavenly Father. It is meant for your good. It is meant to make you ultimately happy. It is meant to lead you away from error and into to life.

* * * * * * * * * *

Another way that I believe we ought to receive the instruction from God’s word is …

2. AS HAVING AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY.

The Corinthians were picking their favorite teachers and were dividing themselves against Paul’s authority—even to the point of questioning his role as an apostle. And so, in verse 15, he urged them to receive his instruction by reminding them of his own history with them; saying, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”

Back in Acts 18, we’re told the story of how Paul had first come to them as a missionary. He had labored diligently and sacrificially among them for a long time. He even suffered persecution in his effort to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. He was their devoted evangelist and first true teacher. He was the one through whom God had delivered to them the saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He felt a very strong relational bond to them; because—as far as he was concerned—he gave ‘birth’ to them.

Paul told them that they may have “ten thousand instructors in Christ”. And the word that he used was not the normal word for ‘teacher’ or ‘instructor’. It was the word that was used to describe a household servant who—in ancient times—would be responsible for watching over the children. He would be given the task of making sure that they were well-dressed and ready for instruction; that they were safe in going from one place to another; that they were safely tucked into their beds at night; that they were receiving the care that they needed. Maybe it’s just because of the television era in which I grew up; but I can’t help but think of ‘Mr. French’ from Family Affair. My brothers and I didn’t have a ‘Mr. French’ as kids. But we sure knew who Dad was! And even if we had ten-thousand Mr. Frenches, we would still have been under the authority and main-instruction of only one ‘Dad’. And Paul wanted these Corinthians to know that even though they may have had many good teachers and spiritual caregivers who were involved in guiding them in their walk with Christ, they only had one ‘spiritual father’ that God had used to bring them into the faith—and that was Paul himself!

I suppose that there’s a couple of ways for us to think about this. For one thing, you and I may have had many people involved in helping us to grow in our spiritual life in Christ. But there’s no one else who could have that vital and important role in that life like that one particular person who prayed earnestly for us and led us to Jesus. For another thing, you may have lots of good instructions from lots of good Bible teachers in books and on the radio. But there’s no one who loves you like the pastor God has given you; who has served you and labored with you for many years. (I’m trying to say that as a general principle; but I can’t help but also make it personal, because I truly do love you.) But more than any of these other examples, I think of the word of God itself. You may receive lots of input and advice from this world on how to live and what to think. But you weren’t born again by any of those things. As Peter puts it, we are saved …

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because

“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby … (1 Peter 1:23-2:2).

Let’s never rebel, then, against the word of God—even when it tells us things we don’t like to hear. Let’s always heed it and submit to it when it is given to us and explained to us through good, godly preachers and teachers. It has authentic authority—as from a loving heavenly Father; and it is good for our growth and life and happiness in Christ.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Now; it’s not just through His words that God our Father instructs us. As Paul goes on to show us, we should also receive it as if …

3. THROUGH RELIABLE EXAMPLES.

After having stressed to them that he was their spiritual ‘father’—the one who, as it were, had ‘begotten’ them—he went on to say, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” We all know that saying: “Like father—like son”. Paul was careful to live in such a way as to set a good example for his ‘spiritual children’ to follow. As he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Paul felt so strongly about this that, even though he himself could not be with them right then, he nevertheless made sure they had a living, personal example set before them. He told them in verse 17, “For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” Timothy was a good imitator of his own spiritual father Paul—and also an imitator of the Lord Jesus. He would come to them and set before them Paul’s own example of faithful living—just as he consistently lived-out and taught in every church in every city that he went to.

Dear brothers and sisters; God so loves us and so desires our holiness and obedience that He sets before us examples to follow—living examples of what He is calling us to do. We need to look to those examples and learn from them as if they are precious gifts of instruction to us from the Father Himself. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way:

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:7-8).

* * * * * * * * * * *

And notice also that Paul goes on to speak of how we should receive this instruction humbly …

4. FOR GOD-HONORING RESULTS.

In verse 18, Paul addresses the fact that there were some in the church who were trying to stir up division against him. He wrote, “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.” That’s quite a way to describe ‘pride’, isn’t it? They were “puffed up” or “inflated” and making themselves out to be bigger than they were. They were boasting that the reason Paul wouldn’t come is because he didn’t feel he could measure up to their standards. Paul responded in verse 19 by declaring, “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.”

Now; this reminds us of something that is important to remember about God’s instructions to us. He gives instruction with an expectation of practical results. These false teachers who were causing division were all about ‘talk’. They were, in fact, very big on talk. They boasted in human standards of wisdom. But they weren’t really concerned very much about practical holiness. They didn’t show forth the power of God through transformed lives. And that’s what God is looking for in His people. As Paul wrote in verse 20; “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

Do you remember what Paul wrote in Chapter 2? He was reminding the Corinthians of what it was like when he first came to them. He told them;

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ; we should receive the instruction of God’s word with the remembrance that our Father looks for results. He wants to see us obeying Him in such a way that our lives are genuinely—demonstrably—transformed through Christ. Let’s never be like the child who says that they will obey, but doesn’t really mean what they way. Let’s be careful to do what our Father tells us to do—trusting in the life-changing power of Christ to help us to live lives that are distinctly different from that of this world.

* * * * * * * * * *

And with that in mind, notice finally that God’s fatherly instruction to us should be received by us …

5. WITH LOVING DISCIPLINE.

Paul closes this strong appeal with these words in verse 21; “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?”

Now; this whole letter long, Paul has made his affectionate love clear to the Corinthians. He has repeatedly referred to them as “brethren”; and even at the very beginning of this passage, he calls them “beloved children”. But just as would be true of a good father, his love for them did not mean that he wasn’t serious about the instructions he gives them. He would prefer to come to them with the gentleness of love. But he isn’t afraid to come to them with the sternness of correction if it was necessary.

And we should be glad that our heavenly Father is that way too. It proves He loves us. As it says in Proverbs 3:11-12;

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:11-12).

Let’s so receive God’s instruction—and be so transformed by it—that His manner never has to be harsh with us, but always in love and a spirit of gentleness.

* * * * * * * * * * *

As we make progress through our study of 1 Corinthians, we are about to encounter some very serious instructions. And indeed, we should always expect to encounter such things in God’s word. And now—at this important juncture in our study—we have an appeal set before us to receive those instructions from God rightly.

Let’s not fuss against His word as so many of the unbelieving people around us do. Let’s make up our minds now that, instead, by God’s help, we will become like little children—truly beloved by Him—who sincerely want and welcome and obey His words of instruction to us.

EA