Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Series: Christianity, Not the Way God Intended!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-15

The issue of leadership is paramount in the church. The problem that Paul was experiencing in the Corinthian church was there were all kinds of people aspiring for leadership, but they had no idea know how to be godly Christian leaders. They were taking cues from non-Christian sources. Where do we get our example of Christian leadership? Do we opt for the business model? Or do we take our prompts from the entertainment world? The Corinthians were confused about Paul’s leadership and so the apostle gives them four powerful images of the Christian leader to help them understand the kind of leaders the Church needs.

1. The Obedient Servant
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ…
“servant” here means under-rower

2. The Faithful Steward
1 Corinthians 4:1b …and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover
it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

There are always three judgments in the life of a steward.

• There is man’s judgement (4:3).
• There is his own judgement (4:3b-4a)
• Most importantly there is God’s judgment (4:4b)

3. The Humble Spectacle

1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
Paul said as ministers we became “spectacles.” In other words they were the “last act,” the leftovers after the main event.

4. The Loving Father
1 Corinthians 4:14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 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

• A father loves by beginning the family.
• A father loves by setting an example for the family.
• A father loves by disciplining his children.

Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Series: Christianity, Not the Way God Intended!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

The Corinthian Christians were reeling from controversy and divisions in their young urban church. So Paul, the church founder, writes this letter in an effort to contend for their survival. In this section Paul argues that the greatest threat to the church is usually from those forces from within and not from without: Its from enemies who join the ranks of the believing. Most importantly, we learn from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 that God cares very much for the church—even the messed up ones. Paul had a deep concern for the church and we should care too. Without a deep love for the church we can become the cancer that spreads through the church body that causes weakness and poor health.

Three things you need to know about the church

1. The Church Comes At A Great Cost
2. The Church Is Always Under Attack
3. The Church In America Is Struggling

Three Questions That Paul Answers In These Verses:

1. Why Should We Care About The State Of The Church?
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

2. What Causes Someone To Destroy A Good Church?
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE.”

3. How Can A Church Prevent Its Own Destruction?
1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Message from First Morning focus on Children’s Ministry at GracePoint of Webster.

Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Series: Christianity, Not the Way God Intended!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:7-23

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are God’s family, God’s field and God’s temple. In the metaphor “temple” the primary thought Paul is trying to convey is the building of the local church. Many Christians only see the church and Christianity from an individual perspective. Paul gives us six principles to help us understand the importance of building church according to God’s plan. The first three we dealt with last week. Today we will look at the remaining three.

Principle #4 We Must Build With The Right Materials!
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear;

Paul described two opposite kinds of building materials. Wood, hay and stubble – represents that which is passing, temporary, ordinary, common, cheap, easy to find. Gold, silver and precious stones – represents that which is permanent, beautiful, valuable and rare. There are some materials that are worthless and there are some materials that are valuable, lf you want to build something that will last… you have to build with valuable materials

Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

How do we find wisdom?
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

We ask God!
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

We must learn humility
Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day……25:9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.

We must keep seeking!
Proverbs 2:4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

Principle #5 We Must Build For Eternity!
1 Corinthians 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

Paul warns us that everything we do both as Christians and churches will one day be judged by Jesus much like a building inspector coming for final inspection. Some things may appear to be very successful to you and me as look on, but on that day, the Day of Judgment, Jesus is going to come to destroy all the work that has not been built upon Him.

Principle #6 We Must Build With The Right Motive!
1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come – all are yours.

The motive that must guide everything in our life is the glory of God.

The members of the Corinthian church were glorifying men instead of Christ and that was wrong. If they would have been seeking to glorify God alone, there would have been harmony in the assembly.

Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Series: Christianity, Not the Way God Intended!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:7-23

The Corinthians had become selfish and immature causing them to loose sight of their mission to make their church an effective outreach to their city. In this chapter Paul instructs them with three powerful metaphors to guide them back to a right understanding of what God has called them to be and do. He reminds the Corinthians that they are God’s family God’s field and God’s temple. The metaphor Paul uses in verse 9 of the “temple” paints an obvious picture of a building. The usual explanation for this passage is that Paul is describing the building of the Christian life. And while there is an individual application to these verses, the primary thought that Paul is trying to convey is the building of the local church. Many Christians only see the church and Christianity from an individual perspective. Paul gives us six principles to help us understand the importance of building church according to God’s plan. Today we’ll look at the first three.

Principle #1 – The Church Belongs To God!
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Principle #2 – The Leaders Of The Church Must Be Good Builders!
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation,

Principle #3 – We Must Build On The Right Foundation!
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.