Transcript

Principles For The Christian Community-Part Two

1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Sunday, May 1, 2005
Pastor Randy Smith

---

The forth stanza of the song we just sang went like this:

We are a Temple, the Spirit's dwelling place,

Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace.

We die alone for on its own watch ember loses fire;

Yet joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light and to inspire.

(We Are God's People)

Earlier this week our family had the opportunity to spend a few nights in a log cabin on the banks of the Delaware River. To our enjoyment, we build a fire each night in the stone fireplace. I'm sure many of you can testify how the warmth, the illumination and the tranquility of a fire all combine to produce a cozy environment.

Now, I was never a Boy Scout, nor the son of a Boy Scout, but I have learned that the placement of the logs is the key to a successful fire. Each log must be touching another log and enough space must be provided between the logs to allow the flow of oxygen.

I was thinking this week that vibrant fellowship in the church community is akin to both of these principles.

Christians must give one another space. The Scriptures call us "to lead a quiet life and attend to (our) own business" (1 Thes. 4:11). We are not to be "busybodies" (2 Thes. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:13) or in the habit of meddling in another's affairs (1 Pet. 4:15). We are called to permit one another a little breathing room, always slow to judge and quick to forebear.

Yet while we need to give one another some space, all of us also must remain connected if we wish to have blazing Christian fellowship. Separate logs in a fire and the flame is extinguished. A fire's success is contingent on the closeness of other logs. In the same way, we will only burn red hot for the Lord if we remain connected to one other and in close proximity with one another. Dismembered or disunified fellowship only weakens our individual strength and the strength of the community.

Since community (or as it is commonly called, "fellowship") is so important for the Christian, God has provided us with specific guidelines in Scripture to ensure its success. We need to be together in close proximity. We need to make sure our closeness isn't smothering another believer. We need to know these and many other general principles that are necessary in order to keep the fire going to burn brightly for the glory of God.

Last week I provided two of these principles from the final eight verses of 1 Corinthians, chapter 4.

First, pastors in the church are expected to lead the congregation through love and example. In verse 14 Paul called the Corinthians "my beloved children." He claimed to function as their "father" in verse 15. There is the "love." In verse 16 he urged them to imitate his conduct. There is the "example."

Second, the congregation is expected to receive the correction from its pastors as a token of their love and desire to see the church grow in Christlikeness. In these verses we read of Paul "admonishing" (vs. 14), "exhorting" (vs. 16) and "reminding" (vs. 17) the church about righteous behavior. He was even prepared to discipline church members who continued in unrepentant sin (vs. 21; cf. 5:1-13).

This morning, as we prepare our hearts for the Lord's Table, we will look at two more principles necessary for the Christian community. One is directed toward Christian parents and the other is directed toward all believers in general.

1. A WORD TO PARENTS

First, a word to the parents.

We learned last week that Paul presented himself as a spiritual father to the church (vs. 15), people he called his "beloved children" (vs. 14). How did the spiritual father treat his spiritual children? He admonished the church (vs. 14), set an example for the church (vs. 16) and was prepared to discipline the church if necessary (vs. 21). These three responsibilities that Paul administered to his spiritual children are the same three responsibilities that parents should administer to their physical children.

Now parents do not implement these principles simply because they mimic the Apostle Paul. Rather, parents and Paul implement these principles because they mimic the heart of God. Paul was following God's principles and parents would do well to follow God's principles as well.

For example, Paul spoke of his need to admonish the church in verse 14. To admonish (the Greek word noutheteo - from where we derive "nouthetic counseling") means to warn or reprove. It implies that something is wrong that needs to be changed. The goal in admonishment is correction to bring one's behavior in line with God's standard revealed in Holy Scripture.

Every time we read the Bible, God is admonishing us. He, through the power of the Holy Spirit is confronting the error of our life with truth. As a matter of fact, our loving heavenly Father delights in admonishing us. In Psalm 81:8 He said, "Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!" Why does God admonish? - Because He is a good Father. It is because He cares. He not only knows what is best, but also wants what is best for His children.

Following God's heart, loving Christians admonish one another as well. This should only be done according to God's Word and this is the command of God's Word. Listen to Romans 15:14. Listen to the connection between goodness and knowledge of the truth and admonishment. "And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another."

This is what motivated the Apostle Paul. His goal was not to exalt his own self-righteousness nor was it to put them to shame (as he made clear in verse 14). Rather, his goal was the same as God's: Christlike behavior in the Christian community. His admonishment was an indication of his love and concern. Listen to what he told the Ephesian elders: "(Remember) that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears" (Ac. 20:31).

Similar to Paul, in following the example of our Lord, parents must also admonish their children. God has entrusted each parent with a precious stewardship. Our children come to us a raw material ready to be shaped. The goal that every parent must keep in the forefront of their minds is to mold them by the grace of God into the beautiful image of Jesus Christ. This is the most loving way we can treat our children. This is also obedience to God. Now, I am not dismissing affirmation and encouragement and praise for our children, but I am saying that parents who fail to admonish their children according to the precepts of Scripture have failed according to the expectations of God and are in disobedience themselves.

Yes, our children might think we are mean if we don't allow them to always have it their way. Yes, our children might think we are uncool if we expect our home to honor the Lord. Yes, our children might think we are unfair if we expect them to go against the grain of society. But we as parents are not called to please our children. We are called to please the Lord. And we will not please the Lord unless we expect our children to please the Lord. And for these precious children, born in sin and following after the impulses of their flesh, pleasing the Lord is impossible without our biblical admonishment.

We need to move on. We witnessed how Paul admonished the Corinthians. We also witnessed how Paul was an example for the Corinthians to imitate. In addition to 4:16, Paul said in chapter 11, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). Following the example of another as they follow Christ is a model presented to us by Paul, but again, it is ultimately a model presented to us by God Himself. We are to be "imitators of God, as beloved children" (Eph. 5:1).

We learned Wednesday evening that Jesus Christ left "an example for (us) to follow in His steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). Over and over in the gospels we read of Jesus telling His disciples to "follow Me" (Mt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 10:38; 16:24; 19:21).

If parents expect Christlike behavior from their children, it goes without saying that they must exhibit Christlike behavior themselves. There is no doubt that children are more likely to follow what we do long before they follow what we say. Furthermore, actions that contradict our instruction also teach our children that Christian living must not be that important. Children are quick observers. "Mom, you told me going to church was important, but…?" "Dad if you are so against gossip, why…?" Actions that contradict our admonitions not only undo our message, they also promote hypocritical behavior and child exasperation.

In the packet I made available to you recently on parenting, J. C. Ryle said, "Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are serious, and really wish them to obey you, so long as your actions contradict your instruction. One minister I know made a wise remark when he said, "To give children good instruction, and a bad example, is the same as pointing out to them the way to heaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them down the road to hell (Tillotson)" (The Duties of Parents).

And can I say that setting a Christian example for your child is much more than just going to church, reading the Bible and avoiding the "big" sins. If that is the best you can give your children, they will read your games like an open book and they will most likely reject the faith in later years. More than anything we need to show our children a heart that yearns for God, a heart that pants for God as the deer pants for water (Psm. 42:1). Godward affection will add the seasoning to our admonishments and the sincerity to our example. If they do not see Christ in the forefront of our hearts, our Christian "doings" will make little impact.

Parents must admonish. Parents must practice what they preach. And lastly, parents must discipline when necessary.

Once again we see Paul implementing this principle in our text. Verse 21, "What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?" And once again both the undershepherd and the parent follow this advice because it flows from the heart of God.

As we consider discipline and parenting, there is no greater example than Hebrews 12, which reveals the heart of our heavenly Father. "And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.' It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb. 12:5-11).

Anyone who says, as I have heard it said before, "I love my children too much to discipline them," either has a convoluted view of discipline or a distorted view of love. Such an attitude (as we just observed) is contrary to God. According to the Scriptures, discipline is an indication of our love! As the great puritan John Owen once said, "Love precedes discipline."

We have observed how much Paul loved the Corinthian church. He referred to them as "my beloved children" (vs. 14). Yet he was not ashamed to speak about his need to discipline in verse 21 or to implement discipline in chapter 5.

Love and discipline are not diametrically opposed. They complement each other in perfect harmony. It shows that we will do what ever it takes (within the boundaries of Scripture of course) to those entrusted to our care to achieve righteous behavior - knowing full well the awful consequences of sin. Would any of us watch our child shoot drugs or play in the middle of traffic and do nothing about it? Sin is more devastating than either of these. How can we not respond to our child's sin knowing full well that the "wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23)?

Listen to MacArthur on this one: "Tolerance and passivity define today's approach to parenting. Restraint and correction are deemed too confining for the child's psyche. Self-esteem has superseded self-control. Parents are afraid to correct wrong behavior. They are urged by experts to let their children express themselves freely. Too many parents are utterly absent from their own children's sphere of moral influence. The child's nature is simply permitted to take its course, and by the time the parent realizes the utter depravity of the child's heart, things are already on a course for calamity (Successful Christian Parenting, Word Publishing, 1998, p. 33-34).

I was reading with my family this week about Eli's undisciplined sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in 1 Samuel 2. The Bible says they were "worthless men (because) they did not know the Lord" (1 Sam. 2:12). Fail to discipline your sons like Eli, and you are on a course to raise worthless men and women.

If we love our children and really desire their best, we will want nothing more than to see them walk in the ways of Jesus Christ. If that is what God wants most of all for them, can we be wrong to want it most of all as well? Therefore, we admonish to righteous behavior. We model that instruction before them. And we discipline to show that we are serious about their obedience. Furthermore, consider the interrelationship between the three. We cannot discipline unless we first admonish. And we cannot discipline or admonish with sincerity unless we are first demonstrate the behavior we expect from our children.

These three principles of parenting are much more than good advice. As we have seen they represent the heart of God and our following through on them is ultimately indicative of our faith and obedience to Him (see 1 Sam. 3:13).

2. A WORD TO ALL CHRISTIANS

Though my time is fading fast, I would like to briefly present another principle for successful Christian community living found in 1 Corinthians chapter 4. It is simply this: We must all be in the process of begetting and discipling other Christians.

At the end of verse 15 Paul said, "For in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."

Now, Paul is not suggesting that he gave spiritual life to these Corinthian believers. He was well aware that in order for a person to be "born again," God must do a miracle in the individual's heart (1 Pet. 1:3). Only God can save a person and He does it through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:8) and the faithful proclamation of the Word of God (Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23). In this verse, Paul is simply claiming that he was the means or the channel God used to draw these Corinthian believers to Himself. These Corinthians came to faith in Christ because Paul was faithful to share with them the gospel of Christ (2:4-5; 3:6, 10).

In the same way, each of us has the responsibility to beget other Christians "through the gospel" (as verse 15 says). Just as others led us to faith in Christ, we must lead others to faith in Christ. Just as we were given life, we have a responsibility to reproduce that life. Just as Paul became a spiritual "father" to the Corinthian church, we must be spiritual "fathers" and "mothers" to others by leading them to faith.

Imagine if you were given information that a bomb was going to explode in your neighbor's house at 2:00 tomorrow morning. Knowing that they are unaware of this knowledge and knowing it would cost them their lives, what would you do with this information? Would you avoid sharing because you are too busy to let them know? Would you avoid sharing because of a concern that you would be rejected? Would you avoid sharing because you didn't have the right words? Only one thing would prevent you from sharing - a lack of faith in the message. Yet we all believe in the words of Scripture, right? "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (Jn. 3:36). Let me ask you, what is worse, dying in a house explosion or suffering eternally in hell?

We must ask God to give us a passion for the lost!

Listen to what one said in the life story of John Smith: "I have often seen him come downstairs in the morning, after spending several hours in prayer, with his eyes swollen with weeping. He would soon introduce the subject of his anxiety by saying: 'I am a brokenhearted man. Yes, indeed, I am an unhappy man - not for myself, but on account of others. God has given me such a sight of the value of precious souls that I cannot live if souls are not saved - oh, give me souls or else I die!'"

We must be in the process of begetting Christians and we must also be in the process of discipling Christians.

Paul was not concerned for simply making converts who failed to mature and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. On the contrary, Paul was committed to making sincere disciples that could be used by God to further His kingdom (Ac. 14:21-22, 28). He implemented our Lord's teaching to "make disciples of all the nations" (Mt. 28:19).

If Paul were asked to prove his commitment to discipleship, he no doubt would have pointed to exhibit A: Timothy. Look with me at 17. "For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church."

Timothy was probably converted when Paul visited his region on his first missionary journey (Ac. 14:8f). By the time Paul passed through that area on his second journey, he invited Timothy to join him and Silas (Ac. 16:1-3). In verse 17 Paul said Timothy was his "beloved." Paul loved his disciples. Because of the investment Paul made in this young man's life, Timothy was sent to Corinth to remind the believers of Paul's ways. He was a replica of Paul because of Paul's commitment to disciple him. This man could be trusted with this awesome responsibility because Paul viewed him as a "faithful child in the Lord" (vs. 17). Paul was such a successful discipler, he could entrust his disciples to complete his ministry.

Later, Paul needed someone to send to the Philippians. Guess whom he chose? Listen to these endearing words. "But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father" (Phil. 2:19-22).

As Paul produced functioning disciples, committed followers, reproductions of his own life and ministry, we too must be dedicated to reproducing ourselves in others. We are talking about a person or two that we not only teach, but also model before them, mature Christian living.

The sermon was entitled, "Principles for the Christian Community." So as we conclude we ask two questions: First, why is it important to the Christian community to have parents admonish, influence and discipline their children? Because we will only have a strong church if we have strong families. Because parents must be obedient to Christian precepts in the home before they can ever obey Christian precepts in the church. Because these children, Lord permitting, will be the future of the Christian community. Second, why is it important to beget and disciple other believers? Because we need to see new life added to the community. Because we all need to grow and mature in our walk with Christ. Without new life, we stagnate. Without maturity, we implode.

May God help all of us understand and implement these principles for a God-honoring and healthy church community.