2. Scum and Spiritual Father Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [13] 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 August 17, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim

3. RECAP: RESTORING THE BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY] Definition #1: Pastors are the SERVANTS of Christ. If so, pastors are to seek (1) their submission to Christ, (2) their desire to please Christ not men, and (3) their focus to be on the judgment and commendations of the Lord not of men. Definition #2: Pastors are the STEWARDS of God’s Word. If so, pastors are to seek (1) their primary role as teachers, (2) their teachings to be guided by Scripture, and (3) their faithfulness to Scripture.

4. “We have this notion in this country, not only of endless economic growth but of endless personal growth. I have a certain characterological antipathy to the notion of we're all getting better and better all the time.” — American novelist Jonathan Franzen “A theology of glory… operates on the assumption that what we need is optimistic encouragement, some flattery, some positive thinking, some support to build our self- esteem. Theologically speaking it operates on the assumption that we are not seriously addicted to sin, and that our improvement is both necessary and possible. We need a little boost in our desire to do good works…. But the hallmark of a theology of glory is that it will always consider grace as something of a supplement to whatever is left of human will and power.” — Lutheran theologian Gerhard Forde

5. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 1)Pastors are to model in taking the Calvary road—hence, learn true spirituality from their suffering and sacrifice for Christ. 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. (vs. 8-9)  Unlike the Corinthian Christians who lived by the theology of glory (“already”), Paul lived by the theology of the cross.  Suffering and sacrifice were their way of life in following the Lord Jesus Christ on the Calvary road.  We are also to take the Calvary road following the examples of Paul and the apostles in their true spirituality.

6. The Badge of True Discipleship Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above his master... That is why Luther reckoned suffering among the marks of the true church… If we refuse to take up our cross and submit to suffering and rejection at the hands of men, we forfeit our fellowship with Christ and have ceased to follow Him. But if we lose our lives in His service and carry out cross, we shall find our lives again in the fellowship of the cross with Christ. The opposite of discipleship is to be ashamed of Christ and His cross and all the offense which the cross brings in its train... Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ… It is a joy and token of His grace. … Christ transfigures for His own [the early Christian martyrs] the hour of their moral agony by granting them the unspeakable assurance of His presence. In the hour of the cruelest torture they bear for His sake, they are made partakers in the perfect joy and bliss of fellowship with Him. To bear the cross proves to be the only way of triumphing over suffering. … — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

7. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 2)Pastors are the SCUM of the world—hence, follow their example of choosing faithfulness over popularity. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. (vs. 10-13)  Paul wasn’t intentionally looking for suffering—but, it was the cost of faithfulness to Christ and the way of Jesus.  Jesus did warn us about being praise by all men (Luke 6:26).

8. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26

9. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 2)Pastors are the SCUM of the world—hence, follow their example of choosing faithfulness over popularity. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. (vs. 10-13)  Paul wasn’t intentionally looking for suffering—but, it was the cost of faithfulness to Christ and the way of Jesus.  Jesus did warn us about being praise by all men (Luke 6:26).  We are also to gladly choose faithfulness over popularity, the way of Jesus [the cross] over the way of the world.

10. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 3)Pastors are the SPIRITUAL FATHERS—hence, be imitators of them. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 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. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 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. (vs. 10-13)  While there were many guides/teachers in Christ, Paul took on the role of spiritual father for the Corinthian Christians.  It was going beyond merely teaching content but imparting life as a spiritual father.

11. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

12. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 3)Pastors are the SPIRITUAL FATHERS—hence, be imitators of them. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 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. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 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. (vs. 10-13)  While there were many guides/teachers in Christ, Paul took on the role of spiritual father for the Corinthian Christians.  It was going beyond merely teaching content but imparting life as a spiritual father.  We are also to imitate our spiritual leaders by life and words.

13. WHAT ARE TRUE MARKS OF THE PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER? 4)Pastors are to love their flock with deep genuine love—hence, follow their example of taking pains for others. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? (vs. 10-13)  Paul as the spiritual father of the Corinthian church loved them far beyond the superficial level.  This meant loving them with tough love of sternness as well as with tender love of gentleness of a father.  We are also to take pains for those whom we lead and care for spiritually.

14. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways are you convinced by “theology of the cross” over “theology of glory”? What will you do? 2.What would it mean for you to follow Apostle Paul’s example in choosing suffering and sacrifice as the true marks of a Christ-follower as well as of a spiritual leader? 3.In what ways will you be a spiritual father for those whom you lead and care for? What is your first step?