1 Corinthians 4:14-21

                                                         1 Corinthians 4:14-21

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

 

Paul confronts the pride that he sees in the church at Corinth.  They were using their comfort and prosperity as a defense for their immorality and immaturity.  Paul loves them too much to permit them to continue to live in this way.  As believers we are responsible for and to one another.  Paul gives us a great example of how we can be used to help believers who are close to us become more mature in Christ.  

 

EXHORT WITH THE WORDS OF A FATHER:  Any type of discipline should always start with words of exhortation.  Paul expresses his love for the believers in Corinth and he considers them to be his spiritual children because he was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to them.  We are all called to love on another.  We should love each other just the way we are but too much to all each other to stay the way we are.  Unfortunately, when we see immaturity in the lives of one another; we tend to talk about one another instead of talking to one another.  Paul takes the tone of a Father who is ready and willing to discipline his children.  The first step on that path is always clear and firm communication.

 

EXEMPLIFY WITH THE WORKS OF A BROTHER: Since Paul was far away and unable to come to the church personally, he did the next best thing by sending Timothy.  His call was for the church to follow his example.  Timothy had learned to follow Paul’s example so as they looked at Timothy, they would be reminded of Paul’s life and conduct.  As important as our words are, our works are even more important.  What we say and do must be consistent with one another.  If our words and works are not consistent, our attempts to help others will be unsuccessful.  We must be able and willing to come alongside the people we love and show them what a godly life is like.

 

EXPOSE WITH THE WARNINGS OF A PASTOR: Paul wants to make sure that the church understands that his inability to come at the moment was not an indication that he would not come at all.  He hopes to be able to come to them with joy in having seen repentance and growth.  However, he is more than willing to do come with power and discipline and is willing to have the proud and disobedient members removed from the fellowship.  It is never our desire to see discipline come to this point, but we have to be willing to do the right thing no matter how hard it is.

 

APPLICATION: Don’t be afraid to confront sin in the lives of others.  Speak the truth to them in love with a desire to bring about repentance and restoration.  Be an example of maturity to others in all we do and say.  Don’t be afraid to call others to imitate us if we are following Christ.  Prepare to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the purity of the church.