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.
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?
Paul lets us know here that they were more that help spread the gospel than just him and Apollos. Also that they were not to be thought of as being any better than any one else. They did this to let them know that pride and arrogance can creep in and destroy a body of Christ if they are not careful. He goes on to tell us that we are made by God to be the person God wants us to be. Our Creator made us what He wanted us to be for the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Everything we do is chosen by God and we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to work in the area we are most suited for. The gifts that we have were not given to us to let make people think we are better than they are. Let us stay humble enough that we do not let pride enter in to lives and destroy what we have.
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.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
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.
Paul begins here by letting us know that we should not be judged by others possibly because of things in our past or for what we are doing today. He is not saying he is better than anyone else because he himself could not be a judge of others or himself. He goes on to say that he is doing what he feels the Lord is asking him to do and he knows that only the Lord is the judge of what he does. Finally he shows us that all things will be judged, even the hidden things that the human eye does not see but God sees because He looks in the heart. Our final rewards will not be based on the things we did but on the devotion of our hearts to God to accomplish His purpose.
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Paul here is saying that he and the others with with him were not anything special just the humble messengers that God ordained them to be. Also they were responsible for everything that was given then to do, whether it be to teach or preach the word of God. The mystery of God is the Truth in the Bible. The Holy Spirit reveals to all who are truly believers of this mystery. The next verse lets us know we need to be totally sold out to God. The main ingredient of a Christians life is their faithfulness to God and His Truth. the most essential way to show our faithfulness to God is in our obedience to what His word says. One way we can show our faithfulness and obedience is to attend church today and give Him the praise and worship He desires on His day. You will be welcomed and loved if you would like to come and worship with us at Luverne First Assembly of God.
1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
These verses tell to begin with that we should not elevate man up to a position that he does not belong. Everyone who is a believer can share equally in all of God’s provisions that He has for us. We are all exactly what God has allowed us to be. Next the scripture tells us that everything is ours if we believe. We will experience all things God has promised and we do not have to life up a man to receive these things, God has promised all believers the same inheritance. Finally here Paul is saying it does not matter who led you to Christ you do not have an obligation to them because you now belong to Christ. If we belong to Christ then we are a part of the the Kingdom of God because Christ is God the Father’s. Because believers belong to Christ then they belong to each other and therefore we see the greatest incentive for unity in the church.
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Paul is telling us here that if we are won over by those that are preaching foolishness the wisest thing we can do is to become foolish man man so we can come to God. He goes own to say that human wisdom which cannot save, also cannot either build a church or prevent its growth. We have to humble ourselves to receive God while the wise are so smart they do not think they need a savior.The wisdom of man is foolishness to God. The wisest man in the world is the one who seeks God and humbly receives Him as his Savior.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Paul begins here asking a question. As a Christian we should know that we are the house that Jesus lives in here on this earth. Remember what we covered in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Next Paul gives us a warning that if anyone does anything to harm the body of a believer they are also doing harm to the Lord. You are attacking God, when you attack God’s servant. This should help to understand how we should treat all Christians even if they may make a mistake.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
