The Responsibility of a Spiritual Father 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

The Responsibility of a Spiritual Father 1 Corinthians 4: 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. 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.

The Responsibility of a Spiritual Father 1 Corinthians 4: 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?

Paul knows that there is a group of people in Corinth that are arrogant, proud, and divisive, and that he needs to take them head on in order to quench any further problems. In order to resolve further problems, Paul uses his trump card. He tells them that he is their spiritual father in the faith, and as such will exercise his spiritual authority. In this message we get a good glimpse of how Paul viewed his responsibility as a spiritual father to his children. We can adapt this to father’s on this special day… The Responsibility of a Spiritual Father

1 Corinthians 4:14 - I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. However, his real point in this was not because he viewed them as his enemies and wanted to shame them, but because he viewed them as his children and wanted to warn them. He was not prompted by bitterness to write as he had, but by love. A Spiritual Father Warns His Children:

1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. That which Paul was urging them to do was to follow his example. In fact, we are also taught that when we meet together as a church it is for the purpose of exhorting one another (Hebrews 10:25). Sometime we as spiritual parents will urge, encourage them but they will chose to go another way – or will REBEL against the parents wishes. A Spiritual Father Exhorts His Children:

1 Corinthians 4: 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. The Corinthians had forgotten these truths and instead viewed themselves as already filled, already rich, and having become kings (4:8). As Father’s we should seek to set an example for children (imitate me) by being a Spirit filled person who puts Christ first, is faithful to his wife, works hard, is humble and respectful toward others. A Spiritual Father Sets An Example For His Children:

How about you? Are you setting a good example for your spiritual children? Would you be pleased if your spiritual children live their Christian lives just like you? A Spiritual Father Sets An Example For His Children:

1 Corinthians 4: 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? A Spiritual Father Disciplines His Children:

Paul basically gives them the option of how he would act towards them when he comes. If they follow his counsel in this letter and heed Timothy’s ministry among them, he could come to them with love and gentleness. But if they would not repent of their arrogance and division, he would have to come with a rod. A Spiritual Father Disciplines His Children:

All of us who are fathers or mothers know that there are many times when we must go further than just warning, exhorting, or setting a good example. But, If all else fails, we must discipline our children. Parenting is difficult today without the help of God. But the good news is Spiritual Parenting is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, Prayer and a lot of love. A Spiritual Father Disciplines His Children:

The Responsibility of a Spiritual Father Apply & Mobilize Take a minute, and think of your “spiritual children”. Are you admonishing them, exhorting them, setting a good example for them, and if necessary disciplining them? May God help us to learn from Paul’s example and be faithful to our “children” for Christ’s sake!

Happy Father’s Day! 1 Corinthians 4:14-21