Title: The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
1The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Paul had shown the difference between
spirituality and worldliness.
2The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Paul had shown the difference between
spirituality and worldliness. - The church was divided over favorite preachers.
(111-13)
3The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- 1 Corinthians 111-13 - For it has been declared
to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of
Chloes household, that there are contentions
among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you
says, I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos, or I
am of Cephas, or I am of Christ.
4The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- In this case it was not due to things the
preachers encouraged.
5The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Rather there were individuals who wished to use
the love others had for these men to their own
purposes.
6The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Rather there were individuals who wished to use
the love others had for these men to their own
purposes. - Satan commonly will use good things to his
purposes. (2 Cor 1112-15)
7The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- 2 Corinthians 1112-15 - But what I do, I will
also continue to do, that I may cut off the
opportunity from those who desire an opportunity
to be regarded just as we are in the things of
which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
apostles of Christ.
8The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms
himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it
is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose
end will be according to their works.
9The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- The motive of those who tried to exalt themselves
as leaders by deceit was pride.
10The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- The motive of those who tried to exalt themselves
as leaders by deceit was pride. - Pride is an overvaluation of ones abilities. (Gal
63)
11The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Galatians 63 - For if anyone thinks himself to
be something, when he is nothing, he deceives
himself.
12The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Pride seeks the attention of men. Others who are
perceived as in competition are viewed as
adversaries.
13The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Pride seeks the attention of men. Others who are
perceived as in competition are viewed as
adversaries. - It is in this atmosphere that false accusations
and bitter attacks can come.
14The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- On the other hand, what is the motive of those
who serve the Lord? (Phil 115-17)
15The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Philippians 115-17 - Some indeed preach Christ
even from envy and strife, and some also from
goodwill 16 The former preach Christ from
selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add
affliction to my chains 17 but the latter out of
love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense
of the gospel.
16The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Pride can be the motivation of much personal
work.
17The Workers of Pride (1 Cor 4)
- Pride can be the motivation of much personal
work. - Ex. Preachers action overseas vs. home. Actions
after a church spilt.
18What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- The apostles were men whom God had entrusted
with His word. (41-2)
19What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 1 Corinthians 41-2 - Let a man so consider us,
as servants of Christ and stewards of the
mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in
stewards that one be found faithful.
20What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They were men under Gods authority.
21What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- As servants they were to follow orders.
22What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- As servants they were to follow orders.
- As stewards they were entrusted with great
riches. (2 Cor 127)
23What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 2 Corinthians 127 7And lest I should be exalted
above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to
me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be
exalted above measure.
24What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- In these terms there is no room for a leader over
their own party! God comes first. Look at Pauls
attitude verse those who would later form their
own parties. (Acts 2027, 30)
25What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Acts 2027 - For I have not shunned to declare
to you the whole counsel of God.
26What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Acts 2030 - Also from among yourselves men will
rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away
the disciples after themselves.
27What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- We also are to take care concerning our teaching.
(2 Tim 221 Tim 416)
28What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 2 Timothy 22 - And the things that you have
heard from me among many witnesses, commit these
to faithful men who will be able to teach others
also.
29What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 1 Timothy 416 - Take heed to yourself and to
the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this
you will save both yourself and those who hear
you.
30What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They looked to God as their judge. (43-5)
31What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 1 Corinthians 43-5 - But with me it is a very
small thing that I should be judged by you or by
a human court. In fact, I do not even judge
myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself,
yet I am not justified by this but He who judges
me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before
the time, until the Lord comes, who will both
bring to light the hidden things of darkness and
reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each
ones praise will come from God.
32What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Some have suggested that the word for judge in
verses 3-4 deal with a gathering of evidence in
order to render a final judgment.
33What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Some have suggested that the word for judge in
verses 3-4 deal with a gathering of evidence in
order to render a final judgment. - Who determines the standard of judgment?
34What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Some have suggested that the word for judge in
verses 3-4 deal with a gathering of evidence in
order to render a final judgment. - Who determines the standard of judgment?
- Not the Corinthians or any man. (Gal 110)
35What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Galatians 110 - For do I now persuade men, or
God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still
pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of
Christ.
36What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Not Paul, even with a good conscience. (1 John
319-22)
37What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 1 John 319-22 - And by this we know that we are
of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before
Him. 20For if our heart condemns us, God is
greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we
have confidence toward God. 22And whatever we ask
we receive from Him, because we keep His
commandments and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight.
38What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- God will uncover all and judge with perfection!
(45)
39What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 1 Corinthians 45 - Therefore judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord comes, who will
both bring to light the hidden things of darkness
and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each
ones praise will come from God.
40What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
41What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Let us seek Gods praise.
- The workers of pride have a different heart.
42What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They use Gods word to a different end.
43What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They use Gods word to a different end.
- They will change it when it suits them.
(2 Cor 41-2)
44What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- 2 Corinthians 41-2 - Therefore, since we have
this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do
not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the
hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness
nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves
to every mans conscience in the sight of God.
45What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They may have good knowledge of Gods word and
the ability to teach.
46What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They may have good knowledge of Gods word and
the ability to teach. - What is their goal? You can tell by what
motivates them!
47What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- They may have good knowledge of Gods word and
the ability to teach. - What is their goal? You can tell by what
motivates them! - They are very much involved with unrighteous
judgment. (Matt 71-4)
48What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Matthew 71-4 - Judge not, that you be not
judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you
will be judged and with the measure you use, it
will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you
look at the speck in your brothers eye, but do
not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how
can you say to your brother, Let me remove the
speck from your eye and look, a plank is in
your own eye?
49What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Their goal is to be the best. Competitors must be
destroyed.
50What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Their goal is to be the best. Competitors must be
destroyed.
51What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Their goal is to be the best. Competitors must be
destroyed. - Those who seek to build a party will praise or
attack you on the basis of your submitting to
their will, not Gods.
52What is the Heart of Gods Worker?
- Their goal is to be the best. Competitors must be
destroyed. - Those who seek to build a party will praise or
attack you on the basis of your submitting to
their will, not Gods. - Some begin looking for material to be used
against another in the future.
53Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 1 Corinthians 46-7 - Now these things,
brethren, I have figuratively transferred to
myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may
learn in us not to think beyond what is written,
that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of
one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ
from another? And what do you have that you did
not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
54Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Paul sought to protect and build up Christians.
(46)
55Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 1 Corinthians 46 - Now these things, brethren,
I have figuratively transferred to myself and
Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us
not to think beyond what is written, that none of
you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the
other.
56Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Paul did not name those party leaders yet. He
wanted their repentance.
57Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- These leaders approach will lead to strife.
58Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- These leaders approach will lead to strife.
- Paul knew that any ability he had came from God.
(47)
59Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 1 Corinthians 47 7For who makes you differ from
another? And what do you have that you did not
receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do
you boast as if you had not received it?
60Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Here there is no room for boasting. (Gal 614)
61Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Galatians 614 - But God forbid that I should
boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to
me, and I to the world.
62Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- These leaders sought attention to themselves by
the gifts of God.
63Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- These leaders sought attention to themselves by
the gifts of God. - Paul had a clear view of who he is before God.
(48-13)
64Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 1 Corinthians 48-13 - You are already full! You
are already rich! You have reigned as kings
without usand indeed I could wish you did reign,
that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think
that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as
men condemned to death for we have been made a
spectacle to the world, both to angels and to
men.
65Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 10 We are fools for Christs sake, but you are
wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong!
You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
11To the present hour we both hunger and thirst,
and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and
homeless. 12And we labor, working with our own
hands. Being reviled, we bless being persecuted,
we endure
66Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made
as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all
things until now.
67Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- These leaders thought they were rich and full.
(Rev 314-19)
68Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Revelation 314-19 - And to the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write, These things
says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the
Beginning of the creation of God 15 I know your
works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could
wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because
you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will vomit you out of My mouth.
69Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 17Because you say, I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of nothingand do not
know that you are wretched, miserable, poor,
blind, and naked18 I counsel you to buy from Me
gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich
and white garments, that you may be clothed, that
the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed
and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may
see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
70Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Contrast this with what a worker for God will
endure.
71Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- Contrast this with what a worker for God will
endure. - The world will praise these leaders and despise
the other. Who does God praise?
(2 Cor 1012, 17-18)
72Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 2 Corinthians 1012 - For we dare not class
ourselves or compare ourselves with those who
commend themselves. But they, measuring
themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise.
73Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- 2 Corinthians 1017-18 - But he who glories,
let him glory in the Lord. 18For not he who
commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord
commends.
74Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- We need to be careful in how we recommend
preachers. When we give emphasis to ones
speaking ability are we appealing to the world or
to God?
75Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- When we think of ourselves as thinking and
others as traditional we may be walking in the
pathway of pride.
76Gods Worker and the worker of Pride (46-7)
- When we think of ourselves as thinking and
others as traditional we may be walking in the
pathway of pride. - Because pride is essentially competitive then the
one who possesses pride is often first to see it
in another. They will be quick to judge another.
77Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Paul genuinely cared for them. (414-17)
78Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 414-17 - I do not write these
things to shame you, but as my beloved children I
warn you. 15 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.
79Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 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.
80Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- He allowed them shame in order to warn! He was
not just trying to hurt them.
81Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- He allowed them shame in order to warn! He was
not just trying to hurt them. - He considered his love like that of a father.
82Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- He allowed them shame in order to warn! He was
not just trying to hurt them. - He considered his love like that of a father.
- He sent Timothy to them to build them up in Gods
word.
83Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Paul was willing to confront and defeat those who
would not repent. (418-21)
84Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 418-21 - Now some are puffed up,
as though I were not coming to you. 19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God is
not in word but in power. 21 What do you want?
Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a
spirit of gentleness?
85Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- He would never seek peace at any price. There is
a time to stand.
86Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- He would never seek peace at any price. There is
a time to stand. - Why were the brethren becoming puffed-up
against one another? They had
learned it from these proud men. (46, 18)
87Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 46 - Now these things, brethren,
I have figuratively transferred to myself and
Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us
not to think beyond what is written, that none of
you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the
other.
88Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 418 - Now some are puffed up, as
though I were not coming to you.
89Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Paul was willing to give these men time. If they
would not repent then they had to be dealt with.
In the next chapter we will learn more about the
attitudes that spring from pride. (1 Cor 52)
90Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 52 - And you are puffed up, and
have not rather mourned, that he who has done
this deed might be taken away from among you.
91Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- The workers of pride will run over people that
get in their way. (3 Jn 9-10)
92Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 3 John 9-10 - I wrote to the church, but
Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence
among them, does not receive us. 10Therefore, if
I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he
does, prating against us with malicious words.
And not content with that, he himself does not
receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish
to, putting them out of the church.
93Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Their first goal is to take out the leadership.
94Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Their first goal is to take out the leadership.
- Why then do you suppose they concentrated their
efforts in attacking Paul?
95Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Their first goal is to take out the leadership.
- Why then do you suppose they concentrated their
efforts in attacking Paul? - What kind of worker are you?
96Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Their first goal is to take out the leadership.
- Why then do you suppose they concentrated their
efforts in attacking Paul? - What kind of worker are you?
- When we know who God is and who we are then we
can be used by the Lord to accomplish His work.
(1 Cor 47)
97Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- 1 Corinthians 47 - For who makes you differ
from another? And what do you have that you did
not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
98Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- How do you view yourself and your brethren? Are
you a steward or a ruler? (Mt 2025-28)
99Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- Matthew 2025-28 - But Jesus called them to
Himself and said, You know that the rulers of
the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are
great exercise authority over them. 26Yet it
shall not be so among you but whoever desires to
become great among you, let him be your servant.
27And whoever desires to be first among you, let
him be your
100Gods Workers will Influence Others for Eternity
- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many.