I urge you, then, be imitators of me.  1 Corinthians 4:16

I have heard pastors say before, “Live as I say, not as I do”—they will say, “Don’t follow me, follow Jesus,” but is that the biblical pattern for leadership?  Is that the model Paul left for us?  No; in v. 16 of chapter 4 he calls for the Christians at Corinth to “be imitators of (him).”  He says, “I’ll set the pattern…you follow—follow me as I follow Christ.” 

Those who say “Do as I say and not as I do” are guilty of what Jesus accused the Pharisees of doing.  In Matthew 23:2-4, he says,

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat…they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.  

The Scribes and the Pharisees had all of their doctrines in order—they knew the Bible—they could quote God’s law better than anyone.  They, however, had a major problem—they did not have a lifestyle to match. 

Paul doesn’t say here “Follow my teachings.”  He says, “Follow my life.”  Can you say that?  Can you tell people, “If you live the way I live, then you will be living the life Christ has called you to live?”  Can you say that?  If not, what needs to change?  What in your life is out of sync spiritually?

Discipleship is so much more that teaching principles to people.  Discipleship is living principles in front of people.  That’s the way Paul viewed it, and that’s why he called for people to follow him as he followed Christ.

"Quote" of the Week

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."  1 Corinthians 11:1

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU DID NOT RECEIVE?"

Have you ever thought long and hard about the circumstances that surround your life—the circumstances that have brought you to where you are in life?  Many of us take most of the credit for our successes.  We like to think of ourselves as “self-made” men and women.  Paul asks an excellent question in 1 Corinthians 4:7 to those with this mentality. 

He says,

What do you have that you did not receive? 

That’s an excellent question, isn’t it?  Think about it. What do you have that you didn’t get from someone else?  For example, “Did you have a say in when and where you were born?”  Now some will respond by saying, “No, but man once I got here, I had a lot of say about where I am now.  I’m a self-made man or woman—I’ve made my own success.” 

Think about this.  Do you think Mark Zuckerburg, founder of facebook, would have still made billions of dollars if he were born in the 17^th century?  Or do you think Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, would have made the money he did in life were he born in the middle of an aboriginal tribe in New Guinea?  

 

Who decided you’d be here?  Who put you here?  Who preserved your life to adulthood and who made sure that your abilities continued till you got to college and became something?  Well, individuals were involved, right—people like your parents, family, friends and teachers? But the Scriptures are also clear that all we are and all we have has been given to us by God. 

 

James says in James 1:17,

⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.

 

Paul reiterates James’ point here in 1 Corinthians 4 to make the point to the Corinthians that who they are, what they know and what they have accomplished in life has ultimately been brought about by God; therefore, there is no room for pride—no room for boasting.

"Quote" of the Week

John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven."  John 3:27

BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF GOD'S WORD

This is how one should regard us, as…stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1

Though there are a lot of pastors doing positive things in our world today, I’m fearful that some are failing to do the most important thing—the one primary thing that God has called them to do in His Word.  In 1 Corinthians 4:1, Paul tells us that Christian leaders are called by God to be faithful stewards of His word. 

The key word in this verse is of course the word  steward.   If you have ever flown on a commercial airplane, you know what a steward does.  He/she is the one who doles out information about the aircraft.  They also inform the passengers about policies and procedures in case of an emergency and hand out food and drinks during the flight. 

But though a flight attendant or steward has access to these things, he/she owns nothing that is dispensed on the airplane.  The company owns it.  All the steward does is take what has been given to them, and pass it on.

Christian leaders have a similar responsibility—they are God’s stewards.  God gifts and entrusts them with what is His and calls for them to pass it out without fail.  So though the job description for a pastor maybe endless and differ depending upon who you talk to, the primary role of the pastor—the primary focus of a Christian  leader is found right here in 4:1.  Their primary role is to study and know and properly and accurately communicate the Word of God. 

Take a moment to evaluate your own life.  If this is God’s primary concern for His leaders, how are you doing in these areas as His children?  Do you study God’s Word?  Do you apply it?  Do you deliver it?  My prayer for you is that you would get serious about His Word and be a faithful steward of it.

"Quote" of the Week

"There are a great many other things that a pastor may be called upon to do, but at the center of his ministry ought to be the clear teaching of the Scriptures."  -John Stevenson

At the World Cup in 2010, many considered France to be a team to be taken seriously. They made it all the way to the finals in previous World Cup only to lose in a shootout to Italy 5-3. Well the French returned in 2010 with a stout team made up of several super stars. Many were predicting them to do well in the tournament.

Though this talented team made headlines in 2010, unfortunately, it was not because of their outstanding performance. France’s problems began in the game against Uruguay. Though this game ended in a tie, during the game star players Nicolas Anelka and Franck Ribery refused to pass the ball to another one of the team’s stars because of off the field issues that they had with him.

By the second game, these issues had gotten worse for the French. Not only did they lose 2-0 to Mexico, but during the game, star player Nicolas Anelka had an argument with head coach Raymond Domenech and reportedly cussed out him out. When he refused to apologize, Domenech sent Anelka home.

Things got worse for the French the following day when a heated dispute between team captain Patrice Evra and trainer Robert Duverne made national news. Shortly after this dispute, the teams managing director, Jean-Louis Valentin, announced his resignation from his position stating that he was “sickened and disgusted” by the actions of the team.

Unfortunately, the issues with the French were only beginning. The team upset by Anelka’s departure decided they wanted him back, so they got together and did the unthinkable--they went on strike in the middle of the World Cup refusing to train.  They eventually returned to play only to be eliminated by South Africa 2-1. They returned home an embarrassment to themselves and to their country.

This debacle at the 2010 World Cup reminds us of a timeless truth we see in life, and we find throughout the Scriptures:  "Division is devastating."  It does not matter how talented the team, if there is division and discord, failure will soon follow.

This is especially true when it comes to God's people.  Division can destroy the healthiest of churches.  Therefore, we need to be on guard against it.

"Quote" of the Week

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Philippians 2:2-3

God, I want to know what is true. I know I have cravings that sway and distort my ability to reason. You promise that your Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth. I pray that He will now. I don't want to be wrong. I don't want to be deceived by others or myself. You alone possess all truth, and I want to be on your side. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Give me courage to live and speak what is right no matter the cost. I don't want to believe anything about you that is not true. Amen.

Taken from Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle's book Erasing Hell.