Galley Slaves Of God Series

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

1. In the modern vernacular, “I couldn’t care less if I were to be judged by you and any human court, in fact I don’t even judge myself”

a. Why would Paul make such a statement

b. Why would Paul be so uncaring about other peoples opinion of him

2. In the previous passage, Paul stated that he was the galley slave of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God

a. As a minister, as a slave, as a steward he is responsible to Christ only

(1) He is not responsible to any human agency

(a) Not an other individual

(b) Not even to a human court

(c) Not before a church’s congregation

(d) He is not even responsible to himself

(e) He is only responsible to his master, Jesus Christ

i) Turn to Luke 6:37

3. Our Savior said, in this passage in Luke

Luke 6:37 (NKJV)

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

a. I have heard preachers criticizing other preachers

(1) But what does Jesus say, judge not

(2) Criticism has been rampant among evangelical churches

(a) Billy Graham has been spoken against most vehemently by otherwise conservative gospel preachers

(b) Other preachers have been roasted over the pit of the pulpit in many churches

i) I don’t need to name names we all could name a few modern preachers who have been turned on the spit

ii) I mentioned, last week, a preacher who made a really stupid statement, “you can be saved by reading the Bible, unless you read it out loud”

iii) A stupid statement, but it is not for me to judge that preacher, just his statement

iv) I am guilty of roasting a few preachers myself, God forgive me

v) Preaching has always been a learning experience for me

a) Lets return to 1 Corinthians 4:3 - 4

C. Paul admits he cannot remember anything against himself

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV)

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. {4} For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

1. I don’t care if you judge me

a. I don’t care if I am judged in a human court

b. I don’t judge myself

(1) I can’t remember anything against me

(2) Yet, this does not justify me

(3) But, the Lord is my judge

(a) Turn to 1 Corinthians 4:16

2. Paul probably believed himself faithful

a. He says in verse 16

1 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

b. And yet he says that he doesn’t even judge himself

c. The Lord is his judge

(1) Lets turn to 1 Corinthians 4:5

D. The judge

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

1. Therefore, judge nothing before the time

a. Paul is talking about the time Jesus returns