The example of Paul & Apollos

• 1^st – Servants of Christ… vs. 1-6

• Rather than the saints in Corinth arguing if they were ‘of’ Paul or ‘Apollos’…
• Paul commands them to instead follow their example – to Jesus!
• Look at us (Paul/Apollos) as servants of Christ – stewards of the mysteries of God…
• 1^st – Servants of Christ – huperetes – ‘under rower’ (only used here by Paul in NT)…
  • A slave who worked a Roman ship – under the deck – hard working – driving an oar…
  • No one would ever see and ‘under rower’ – it was a humbling position – no prestige…
  • Paul’s point is they were no one special – they were called by God to serve…
  • Sad to say the church has lost sight of that today – ‘Minister’ has become a title…
  • Rather than working hard for God – it describes one who tells others what to do
• 2^nd – Stewards of the mysteries of God – responsible for explaining God’s Word…
  • Paul/Apollos were simple ‘under rowers’ – no one special or important…
    • But they had been entrusted with the most important of all duties…
    • They were the caretakers of the truths of God’s of God’s Word!
    • We have all been entrusted with God’s Word – we know truth of the Gospel…
    • We were not given this honor so we could hold onto (hide it) for ourselves…
    • We’re called to tell others – to those who don’t know/understand about Jesus!
  • God looks for stewards who are faithful (Aorist/Passive/Subjunctive)
    • If you had a valuable ring – you would not give it to you 2 year old to hold on to…
    • You look for someone who is proven – steady – faithful and true…
• This was the question that had arisen in Corinth – was Paul faithful… vs. 3-4
  • There were those who questioned Paul’s integrity – his love for the people!
    • They accused him of using his authority to get money – II Corinthians 12:13-17
    • There are many ‘preachers’ and ‘pastors’ today – who have false motives…
    • Rather than caring for and feeding God’s people – they take from them!
    • * Ezekiel 34:2 – “Prophesy against the leaders of Israel. Give them this message… Destruction is certain for you… who feed yourselves instead of your flocks.”
  • But Paul never took anything from Corinth – he only gave back to them…
    • * II Corinthians 12:14-15 – “I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”
    • The true heart of the steward/pastor – is to give his life for the sheep!
• The ‘opinion’ of the church in Corinth – or men in general – counted very little to Paul…
  • Men always have their idea – their comments – about others…
    • You can’t give too much credence to them – you don’t know their motives…
    • More often than not – men say things as a means to an end…
    • ‘Don’t go to church it’s useless’ – when really they’re convicted they are not going!
  • Paul did not even trust his judgment of himself – because he did not know himself…
    • His conscience was clear – but that didn’t matter – the Lord would examine him!
    • Most of the time we do not fully understand our own actions…
    • We might beat ourselves up over a decision we have made – right or wrong…

• I John 3:20 – “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.”
• But ultimately it is only the Lord who knows our heart – He will judge us…

• So be careful not to Judge before the time… vs. 5
  • The Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness / reveal the heart…
    • God will reveal the inner thoughts of the heart – the ulterior motives…
    • Men can fool other men – but men cannot fool the Lord – He knows the heart…
  • Then praise will come from the Lord
    • Paul was not looking for praise from the church in Corinth / from men…
    • He was faithfully serving the Lord – waiting for the praises of God…
    • Galatians 1:10 – “Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
    • Do we worry about what others think – or about what God thinks
    • Too often we seek men’s praise/opinion that are fickle & short lived
    • If we are more concerned what others think – than what God does
    • We are serving men – and not serving God
• Paul and Apollos were good examples – not to depend on men… vs. 6
  • If you pay attention to the Bible – you won’t brag about one leader over another…
    • The example of God’s Word is clear – God uses sinners…
    • Moses was a murderer / David was an adulterer / Peter was a coward!
    • These are not men to admire – it is God who is the one who deserves all the Glory!
  • So don’t put men on a pedestal – don’t think they are someone special…
    • If men come to us looking for answers and help – it’s easy to be the answer…
    • If someone needs food, money, or wise counsel… we try to be Jesus
    • And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
    • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
    • The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
    • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
    • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
• Don’t be prideful… vs. 7-13

Or do we humble ourselves – and find the grace and comfort of God – James 4:6

What makes someone different/better than another person… vs. 7

Everything you have you received from God – so it is not yours to glory over…

So why do you brag as if you have not received it from God…

You intellect / your race / your family / your country – all were given to you!

We have nothing – which we have not received – so all the credit goes to God!

The church in Corinth had forgotten… vs. 8-13

You think you are already full – rich – you have reigned as kings without us…

The saints in Corinth looked at themselves and thought they had it all…

(Paul notes I wish it were true – we would be reigning with you – Revelation 3:21)

* Revelation 3:17 – “You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”  

It is not about having lots of stuff – money – it is about having Jesus!

So what do those who have Jesus look like – what is the cost of salvation…

The cost of following Jesus…

We are last – men condemned to death – Luke 9:23…

God set the Apostles as an example – POWs – for the world (& angles) to watch…

We say we believe in Jesus – but do we really understand what that means

Are we looking for a way to have salvation – but live our lives our way

Believing in Jesus mean following him – taking up our cross – dying to ourselves!

Being scorned by the world…

Whereas the church in Corinth was seen as wise / strong / and honored!

Their dedication to Jesus made them look like fools / weak / and laughed at…

When we are dedicated to the Lord – the world does look at like we are crazy…

They think we need a crutch in Jesus – but they are strong so they don’t…

Not living for the pleasures of the moment…

To this hour – we are hungry / thirsty / poorly clothed / beaten / homeless…

We labor/toil with our own hands – they did not have important jobs…

We bless those who curse us / we are patient with those who abuse us…

If we are looking for the Gospel/Jesus to give us a better life here…

We will likely be sorely disappointed – the Gospel is about Eternal life!

But the momentary – light – troubles of this life are nothing compared to heaven!

II Corinthians 4:17 – “Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!”

We are falsely accused  – treated like the filth/trash of the world…

If the world likes you – if they think you are great – something is wrong…

Following Jesus means the world hates you – thinks you trash…

John 15:19 – “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Follow me… vs. 14-21

Paul did not write to shame them – but as little children – to warn them… vs. 14-17

Paul saw the believers in Corinth as his children in the faith…

They might have ten thousand teachers in Christ – but only one father…

Paul was the one who had first given them the good news of the Gospel!

Paul was not upset with the church – he was worried for them…

When we get our focus off of Jesus – when we get caught up in the world…

God is not upset with us – He is concerned for us – He knows where sin leads – death!

He might be strong on us – rebuke us – but only because He loves us – Hebrews 12:6

Therefore follow me (Present/Middle/Imperative)…

Paul set the example for the church – the model for them to follow in Jesus…

I Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow me, just as I also follow Christ.”

I have sent Timothy (my beloved faithful son in the Lord) to you – Acts 19:21-22…

Timothy would remind the church of Paul’s teachings…

The same teachings Paul taught in all the churches of God…

II Timothy 3:10 – “You have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance…”

When we get caught up in the care of this world and we do forget…

We need a ‘Timothy’ – a Godly brother to come along our side and remind us…

Point us away from the world – wisdom of men – and back to Jesus!

Some of you have become arrogant… 18-21

There were some in the church who were confident Paul would never return…

But Paul would come – and face those who were causing the problems…

Not to hear their words – but to see ‘what they are made of’…

The Kingdom of God is not just in word (logos) – but also in power (dunamis)!

Like a protective father – Paul was going to come and deal with troublemakers…

There are many today who don’t think Jesus is going to come back…

They have become arrogant in their sin – thinking there will be no consequence…

Matthew 24:44 – “Be ready, for [Jesus] is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Do you want a rod – or love and gentleness…

The saints in Corinth could continue in their divisive ways – choose the Rod…

Or they could humble themselves – turn back to Jesus – choose love and comfort…

Like the church in Corinth – we have a choice – how will He find us…

Will we find ourselves under the judgment of the Lord – the Rod…