Third Sunday In Advent. Series

1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 11:2-10

A). MINISTERS OF CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:1.

a). “Let a man so account of us.”

Of whom? Of Paul and Apollos (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6).

b). “as ministers (attendants) of Christ.”

Not lords over the Church (cf. 1 Peter 5:3), but servants of the Lord of the Church. Servants, doing Christ’s work at His bidding, each according to their own calling (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8).

c). “and stewards (housekeepers) of God’s mysteries.”

A steward has the oversight of whatever his master has entrusted to him. The mysteries are hitherto hidden secrets which are now being revealed through the preaching of the gospel (cf. Colossians 1:26).

1 CORINTHIANS 4:2.

“Moreover it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.”

Trustworthiness is more important than either success or popularity. Ministers are accountable to God (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).

1 CORINTHIANS 4:3.

a). “But to me it is the smallest matter that I be judged by you or by man’s judgment.”

Paul does not see himself as answerable to any human court for the things that God has entrusted to him. Human criticism hurts, but a sense of duty to God keeps him steady.

b). “but neither do I judge my own self.”

The temptation to self-doubt is also there, but the faithful steward need pay it no heed.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:4.

a). “For I am conscious of nothing against myself.”

The Apostle has a clear conscience. It is as he told Governor Felix: ‘Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and men’ (cf. Acts 24:16).

b). “but not by this have I been justified.”

Despite what Roman philosophers may have thought, conscience is not the final judge. God is.

c). “but He who judges me is the Lord.”

And, wonder of wonders, God does justify even the ungodly who put their trust in the cross of Christ (cf. Romans 4:5; Romans 3:24)!

1 CORINTHIANS 4:5.

a). “Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will manifest the counsels of hearts.”

It is quite superfluous for people to be judging one another before all the facts are gathered. The Lord alone knows the secrets of all hearts, whether they be things of darkness, or things worthy of His commendation.

b). “and then shall be praise to each from God.”

Not that everybody will receive praise or commendation: but to everybody to whom it is coming it will then come. From God, not men.

B). JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Matthew 11:2-10.

MATTHEW 11:2-3. We do not know for sure why John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to speak with Jesus. Perhaps prison had knocked the wind out of his sails, and he wanted some reassurance that it had not all been in vain. Or perhaps it was for the benefit of the disciples themselves.

MATTHEW 11:4-5. Certainly, Jesus’ answer would be an encouragement to both John and his disciples. Now Jesus asked John’s disciples to witness for themselves: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up (cf. Isaiah 35:5-6). And along with these miracles there is one other: “the poor have the gospel preached to them” (cf. Isaiah 61:1).

MATTHEW 11:6. Jesus reminded John, and the disciples of John, of the blessedness of “whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

MATTHEW 11:7-8. As John’s disciples set off back towards the prison-house, Jesus addressed the crowds who had gathered around Him: “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?”

John came preaching, and his message was not soft and woolly, but as abrasive as his raiment. No gentle words to tickle their ears drew the multitudes out of Jerusalem, Judaea, and the region about Jordan: but rather the straightforward declaration of the need for repentance, and the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. Then the King drew near, and John testified of Him.

MATTHEW 11:9-10. The one who had pointed towards Jesus now received a fitting tribute from his friend and cousin. Was he a prophet? Yes - and more than a prophet. This was the forerunner foreseen by the prophets of old (cf. Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3).