1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Spiritual Gifts

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1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the Apostles and other teachers entrusted by God with spiritual authority as ministers of the gospel, as stewards or ministers of the gospel (1Corinthians 4:1; Titus 1:7; 1Peter 4:10), given spiritual oversight of the church. This word is used in the same way in two other places in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter uses the word “steward” to describe all Christians given spiritual gifts to use them edify members of the God’s household, the church.

1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Recall the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

THE “ABC” OF STEWARDSHIP

  • Attitude – Diligence or Slothfulness (v 14-18)
    1. Acknowledge God is the Giver (v 14)
    2. Acknowledge God is Sovereign in talent distribution (v 15)
    3. Self-Assessment now is paramount
      1. Exercise Diligence ( v 16-17)
      2. Hiding talent is Slothfulness (v 18)
  • Bounty – Fruitful or Fruitless (v 19-20, 22, 24-25)
    1. At the Day of Judgment (v 19-20, 22, 24-25)
      1. Fruitful at the end – (v 20, 22)
      2. Fruitless at the end – (v 25b)
  • Consequence – Commendation or Condemnation (v 21, 23-24, 26-30)
    1. Commendation – Faithfulness (v 21, 23)
      1. Coronation (v 21b, 23b, 28-29)
      2. Celebration (v 21c, 23c)
    2. Condemnation – Faithlessness (v 24, 26-30)
      1. Complaining Spirit (v 24)
      2. Fearful – guilty! (v 25a)
  • Sent to outer darkness – hell!
    1. He was not saved.

May God bless His stewards with diligence to serve Him for God will reward His faithful servants. Amen.