Servant and Steward
Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [12]
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
August 10, 2014
Pastor Paul K. Kim
Christianity started out in Palestine as a fellowship;
it moved to Greece and became a philosophy;
it moved to Italy and became an institution;
it moved to Europe and became a culture;
it came to America and became an enterprise.
Sam Pascoe
CULTURAL CHANGES AND
REDEFINITIONS OF THE PASTOR
• Pastor as Hired Gun: regarded to be an expert who has skills
and energy brought in by stakeholders to get things done...
• Pastor as CEO (or shop owner): regarded to be a visionary
entrepreneurial leader.
• Pastor as Activist: regarded to be a community leader who
raises awareness and rallies people to take action for a cause.
• Pastor as Celebrity: regarded to be a charismatic
leader/communicator who is sought after by many.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICALLY AUTHENTIC
MODEL OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY]?
1) Pastors are the SERVANTS of Christ—hence, don’t put them
on a pedestal nor abuse them.
1 This
is how one should regard us,
as servants of Christ... (v. 1a)
 First and foremost, they are lowly servants [Gk. huperetes =
“under-rower”]—subordinate to Christ who directs them.
 But they are the servants NOT of men but of Christ whom
they seek to please, which means they are not “hired guns.”
10 For
am I now seeking the approval of man,
or of God? Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man,
I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
WHAT IS THE BIBLICALLY AUTHENTIC
MODEL OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY]?
1) Pastors are the SERVANTS of Christ—hence, don’t put them
on a pedestal nor abuse them.
1 This
is how one should regard us,
as servants of Christ... (v. 1a)
 First and foremost, they are lowly servants [Gk. huperetes =
“under-rower”]—subordinate to Christ who directs them.
 But they are the servants NOT of men but of Christ whom
they seek to please, which means they are not “hired guns.”
 Two implications are (1) we must not put them on a pedestal
in fanfare (2) nor mistreat them as if they are our servants.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICALLY AUTHENTIC
MODEL OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY]?
2) Pastors are the STEWARDS of God’s Word—hence, seek to be
guided by their faithfulness in Scripture.
1
...and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that
they be found faithful. (vs. 1b-2)
 The primary duty of a pastor/spiritual leader in a Christian
community is this stewardship of God’s Word, Scripture.
 If so, pastors are (1) essentially teachers, (2) must teach/lead
in Scripture, & (3) required of faithfulness to Scripture.
 Nothing else is more important to a pastor’s role than being
faithful to God’s Word—teaching and upholding Scripture.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICALLY AUTHENTIC
MODEL OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY]?
3) Pastors are accountable to Christ—hence, leave your
judgment to the Lord.
3
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you
or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not
aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the
Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the
time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now
hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then
each one will receive his commendation from God. (vs. 3-5)
 If pastors are Christ’s servants not ours, we must look to
Christ’s judgment as final evaluation of their motives/fruits.
 However, we are to judge/discern their teaching and action.
 As for pastors, the operating principle must be to fear the
LORD in ministry and to focus only on God’s commendation.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICALLY AUTHENTIC
MODEL OF THE PASTOR [FT & LAY]?
4) Pastors are given to you by Christ—hence, don’t boast in favor
of one pastor/leader against another.
6
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your
benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what
is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against
another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you
have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why
do you boast as if you did not receive it? (vs. 6-7)
 Paul had already applied these principles to Apollos and
himself—nothing they have wasn’t theirs but given by God.
 In the same way, we are to stay humble in all of our gifts.
 Furthermore, we are NOT to boast in following one
pastor/leader against another because of the same reason.
Am I Ignitable in Serving Christ?
He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God,
deliver me from the dread asbestos of ‘other things.’ Saturate
me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is
transient, often short-lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul—
short life? In me there dwells the Spirit of the Great ShortLived, whose zeal for God’s house consumed Him. And He has
promised the baptism with the Spirit and with Fire. Make me
Thy fuel, 'Flame of God’ . . . God, I pray Thee, light these idle
sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my
God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you,
Lord Jesus.
— Jim Elliot
THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE
1.
In what ways do you see the need for keeping this biblical
model of the pastor/leader in our church?
2. What will you do to actively support these biblical roles of
the pastor—servant and steward—in building a healthy
church?
3. How will you apply this biblical model in your own spiritual
leadership in ministry and at home? What would be your
starting point?