Dayton Grace Bible Church December 28, 2014 Good morning Saints

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers (servants) of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Some of these were: the blessing of the Gentiles during the temporary casting away of Israel, the reconciliation of believing Jews and Gentiles to God by the cross, the "one body" and its "one baptism," our heavenly position and blessings, and the rapture of the Body to be with Christ.

Some books written on "The Mysteries of God" have included "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," "the mystery of the seven stars," "the mystery of Babylon," These secrets in no way related to the great mystery revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. Surely he does not mean that he wished to be known as a steward of these. Rather he refers to the "mysteries" embodied in "the mystery" revealed to him for the present dispensation (Eph. 3:1-3).

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you- ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Indeed, the apostle called this long-hidden message his God- given gospel (Rom. 16:25), and was never ashamed to be known as a steward responsible to proclaim it.

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

The root of this word, both in English and in Greek has a very simple meaning: to administer, to dispense, to deal out.

The word "dispensation is used many times in Scripture. In Eph. 3:2 Paul writes to the Gentile believers about "the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you - ward." Just as the dispensation of the Law was committed to Moses (John 1:17), so the dispensation of the grace of God was committed to Paul

But here in 1 Cor. 4 the same Greek word is rendered stewardship in our English Bible. This is because the organic meaning of oikonomia is house management. Thus a "steward" was more than a servant, as some have supposed; he was the head servant, the one into whose hands the management of the household was committed.

He dealt out the money for the household necessities, dispensed the food and clothing to the servants and children, paid the wages, etc

In a word, he was the dispenser of his lord's affairs. Eliezar and Joseph were such stewards (Gen. 15:2; 24:2; 39:4).

Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

A STEWARD MUST BE FAITHFU L: Verse. 2 of our text reminds us of Luke 12:42:

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Luke 16:1,2 teaches the same lesson: Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

These passages of Scripture explain why Paul declared that he was a "minister [servant] of Christ" and a "steward [dispenser] of the mysteries of God," adding that "it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. " Paul occupied a position of considerable responsibility.To the Galatians he wrote:

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

And to the Corinthians: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel!

"For if I do this thing willingly from the heart I have reward, but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me" (I Cor. 9: 16, 17).

As a steward of the gospel committed to him, then, he must proclaim it faithfully, not striving to please men, but God, whose steward he was and we are.

It is clear that in our witness for God the one great requisite is faithfulness. We are not commissioned to accomplish certain things, but to be faithful in our testimony. God has not sent us forth to save souls, but to "preach the Word." Saving souls is His prerogative; preaching the Word is our responsibility and privilege. If men will not hear the Word, if they will not receive it, we are not told to seek for something else which they will receive.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Many of God's people today look for results, and unless we are able to present some report of our accomplishments, our work is considered a failure. But we have nothing whatever to do with results.

We are responsible only to be faithful. Results are God's concern; faithfulness ours, and when we stand before "the judgment seat of Christ" it is the "faithful steward" who will receive the rewards.

Many of God's people today look for results, and unless we are able to present some report of our accomplishments, our work is considered a failure. But we have nothing whatever to do with results. We are responsible only to be faithful. Results are God's concern; faithfulness ours, and when we stand before "the judgment seat of Christ" it is the "faithful steward" who will receive the rewards.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

A VERY SMALL THING: Verse 3,4: In closing this part of his defense of his apostleship, he says:

1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by [ or against ] myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Indeed, it will be a blessing to have Him deal with us about our unfaithfulness to Him, so that our fellowship through eternity may be unmarred by the memory of any sin still un-confessed.

A LIVING ILLUSTRATION

1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

These Corinthian believers felt that their particular preference for Paul or for Apollos marked them as intellectually, or spiritually, superior to their opponents. But Paul responds by the challenge: "Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?"

1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

"I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you."

1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?