1 Corinthians 4:6-13

The Spectacle

Open your Bible to…

1Cor. 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.

Pray

Intro

√ Intro

As we mentioned last week in chapter 4 Paul used three illustrations to help his friends at Corinth understand that as Christians they needed a new standard (God’s!) to evaluate God’s workers and themselves…

The Steward

The Spectacle

The Father

We looked at the illustration of the steward last week and learned that God evaluates His workers by their obedience and faithfulness to do His will.

√ The spectacle

The second illustration is found in vs. 9 where Paul calls himself and the other apostles a “spectacle”!

In 1^st Century Roman culture everyone would have understood Paul’s illustration.

But, here in the 21^st Century most of us probably don’t have a clue what he’s talking about so we better define what a “spectacle” is so that we can understand and apprehend God’s lesson for us!

First of all the Greek word “spectacle” is theatron from which we get our English word “theater”!

In Paul’s day every city of any importance had a Roman theater built where the citizens would gather for entertainment.

The typical entertainment ranged from music and theater, to blood sports such as gladiator fights.

At the larger venues like the Coliseum in Rome the last shows of the night after the main events were the “fights” between prisoners and wild animals.

These prisoners weren’t expected to put up much of a fight against lions, but the bored Roman’s enjoyed watching these poor people get eaten.

These “performers” were the ones called spectacles!

They were the last ones to come into the arena and were there for one purpose…

…to die!

With that foundation read vs. 9 again and you’ll see that it now all makes sense, Paul writes…

“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’s point and attitude in life was that he saw himself as the last performer in the greatest show on earth where the main event, the star of the show, the One whom everyone really came to see is Jesus Christ…

…and it was Paul’s opinion that he was just glad to have a bit part in that show!

Ex. Fiddler on a roof

Everyone in the theater was there to see Topol! I can’t tell you who played any other part and I really don’t care because Topol defines the musical!

He is the Fiddler on a roof.

The show revolves around him and everyone else on stage is there simply to support him.

While some of the actors may not like that truth most realize what a privilege it is to share the stage with him and are happy to do so no matter how small the part.

That’s Paul’s point to his arrogant friends at Corinth regarding the work of God to redeem the world!

They thought the show was all about them when the truth is that the only one who matters is the star…

…Jesus!

So, Paul called the believers at Corinth to have an attitude like his who rather than boasting about his part was simply thankful to be asked to share the stage in the only drama that really matters!

√ A Godly self esteem

The believers at Corinth suffered from a very over inflated view of themselves…

…that’s a nice way of saying they were an arrogant lot!

Paul’s instructions in our text this morning were designed to burst their little bubble and bring them back to earth so that they might have a proper prospective on their part in God’s work.

He does that through a little sanctified sarcasm in which he contrasts the Corinthian’s view of themselves with how they viewed Paul.

Ap. You’ve got a part to play, but you’re not the star!

Too often we as Christians fail to comprehend what an awesome honor it is to be asked to participate in God’s plan of Redemption!

We complain that our part is too small, or that we don’t get enough attention from the audience.

Then when our expectations of what we think we should be or what we should experience aren’t met we walk off the stage in a big huff and think the show can’t go on without us!

Surprise!

It’s then that we discover that it’s all about Jesus and that His show really can go on without us!

The sooner we get that truth into our heart and head the sooner we’ll enjoy the part that God has asked us to play.

Kings vs. Prisoners (vs.6-9)

1Cor. 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

1Cor. 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

1Cor. 4:8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

1Cor. 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.

√ Kings vs. Prisoners

First note the purpose for which Paul wrote this section in vs. 6…

“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”

Ouch!

The whole point of his comments then is to deal with their foolish, unwarranted and over inflated opinion of themselves!

He accomplishes his purpose with a little sanctified sarcasm in vs. 8 & 9 where he refers to them as “kings” and himself as a “spectacle” (prisoner).

In short what Paul is saying here in vs. 6-9 is that the Corinthians wrongly saw themselves as kings and rulers in this age when in fact they should view themselves as a “prisoners of the Lord”.

Building on his illustration in effect he’s saying…

“You guys see yourselves seated in the Coliseum judging the performers on the program when you should be down here in the arena where the action is!”

The problem with their attitude is that they now felt themselves qualified to judge even the effectiveness of Paul’s ministry.

Perhaps that was because they’d been blessed with a measure of God’s spiritual gifts and blessings, which they wrongly interpreted as a sign that they were superior to other believers…

…including Paul!

However in their arrogance they missed two obvious truths!

First, everything they had was a gift of God so there wasn’t any room for boasting.

Second, their gifting and God’s blessings weren’t a tool for measuring Paul against the other apostles.

Rather, the right and godly attitude was one of humility wherein they would rightly esteem their own place in God’s work and appreciate others like Paul who played such an important role in their salvation.

Ex. The young and the arrogant

Pride has no place in the life of a Christian, especially in the life of a minister!

A sure sign of pride is an un-teachable spirit.

I’ve watched over the years many people come to faith in Christ and grow to maturity under the loving care of some pastor.

Then when God blesses that young man or woman with some measure of success that same gentle joyful person suddenly becomes spiritually arrogant.

The evidence? Now they see themselves as the expert in ministry and are quick to point out all the errors they perceive in others but slow to receive correction from the pastor that nurtured them.

Such was the case in Corinth!

Paul was the one who introduced the Gospel to these pagan people.

He brought them into a relationship with God and helped them grow from spiritual infants to maturity in faith.

But now at the writing of this letter those same people now resisted, in fact some rejected, Paul’s instructions and correction because in their pride they saw themselves as superior to Paul!

Ap. Stay teachable!

If you do you’ll continue to learn and grow in Christ and be evermore effective in the work of the Kingdom.

If you don’t you’ll soon find yourself on a shelf somewhere unusable and unprofitable for the Lord.

God gave us each two ears and one month, use those ears twice as often as your mouth and you’ll be blessed!

Wise vs. Fool (vs. 10a)

1Cor. 4:10a We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ!

√ Wise men vs. Fools

Can you sense Paul’s sarcasm!

Here we have the greatest theologian of the New Testament writers calling himself a “fool”…

…and in the same breath referring to the immature, arrogant and self-righteous believers at Corinth as “wise”

I don’t think he’s trying to be mean, rather, I think his motive here was to shock them back to reality by putting their own thoughts on paper where they could see the just how ridiculous their perception of themselves was!

Ex. Marriage counseling

Counselors use this technique all the time when confronted with a couple that isn’t communicating with each other.

They have them write what they just screamed at their spouse and have them read it aloud.

Typically at that point each person recognizes just how foolish, unkind, and hostile their words and attitude have been and why they aren’t able to communicate!

They discover that it really isn’t all the other person’s fault and that they’re just as much a part of the problem!

As I read vs. 10 I can imagine just how shocked the Corinthians would be as they were confronted with how far from they fallen from reason!

Consider Paul, the author of Romans perhaps the greatest theological presentation ever written of Man’s depravity and the Grace of God.

Paul, a man able to accurately present and interpret the entirety of the Old Testament and from it present the fresh revelations of the New Testament.

Paul, a man thoroughly trained in the Rabbinical traditions, and well versed in Greek philosophy, poetry and logic.

Paul, the man chosen by Jesus Himself to preach the mysteries of God to the Gentiles confirmed by the supernatural signs and wonders God worked through his life.

This was the man they now rejected as a spiritual authority in their life because they thought they were so wise, please!

Ex. Divine sarcasm

As you study the Bible you’ll find that God often uses a little sanctified sarcasm to wake people out of their spiritual stupor!

Elijah mocking Baal on Mount Carmel.

God Himself challenging the idolatrous children of Israel to bring their idols out for a little God competition.

Jesus reminding us to remove the 4 by 4 from our eye before we try and help our brother get the sawdust out of his eye!

I’m not encouraging any of you to be sarcastic! As my little Nana used to remind me and my brothers…

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!”

Rather, I’m just pointing out that God does sometimes use sarcasm to make His point because there are times when we’re so blinded by our own pride that it takes a jab to our self-esteem to get our attention.

Ap. Don’t take yourself too seriously!

You and I are going to be learning something new everyday for the rest of our life.

Your theology is going to grow too as you learn more about God.

So, don’t ever think you’re so wise that you can’t learn something new even from someone you might be prejudiced against.

Ex. Damian’s experience

The prejudiced lady visitor who thought to herself…

“This man can’t speak to me”

But then discovered that God was speaking powerfully to her through His servant Damian.

Strong vs. Weak (vs. 10b)

1Cor. 4:10b …We are weak, but you are strong!

√ Strong vs. Weak

Before Paul met Jesus he was a man who boasted in what he perceived were his strengths…

Born of pure Jewish blood.

Perfect in the keeping of the Old Testament Law and the traditions of the Jews.

Unequaled in his passion to serve God at any cost and willing to go any distance in the pursuit of that service.

Yet, when Paul met Jesus he discovered that all of the things that he had considered spiritual strengths were worthless in God’s economy of Grace!

Rather, he found that God preferred to work through Paul’s weakness so that all would know it was God’s power and gifting…

…not Paul’s.

Well, our friends at Corinth had not yet come to their Damascus Road!

They had experienced a dramatic outpouring of God’s Spirit and gifts but rather than rejoice in God’s grace they boasted in those gifts and experience as evidence of their spiritual strength.

Once more Paul’s comments here drip with sarcasm as he calls himself “weak” and the Corinthians “strong”.

For while the Corinthians boasted in the multitude of Spiritual gifts they exercised they would be foolish indeed if they thought they superior to the Apostle Paul!

Paul, a man through whom God…

Raised the dead, healed the sick, cast out demons, cursed a sorcerer with blindness, and was personally taught by Jesus through vision and revelation!

Yet, and here is Paul’s point…

All those marvelous works of God were done only after Paul learned that it was in his weakness that God displayed His power!

So, Paul’s exhortation is that what we think are spiritual strengths can turn out to be our greatest liability!

Ex. Moses’ attempt to deliver Israel without God

He thought that he had the education, position, and power to deliver the people of Israel but found that without God those things that he thought were strengths were his greatest weakness!

Ap. We all have a Damascus road

Either before or after you meet Jesus you’re going to have to come to the end of yourself!

A place where you can’t rescue yourself, don’t have the resources, strength, or talent or even the motivation to go another step.

It’s in that place when you finally truly understand that you can do nothing without Christ that you’ll discover the secret that Paul did…

“…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Cor. 12:10

That’s when God can use you!

Honored vs. Dishonored (vs. 10c-13)

1Cor. 4:10c …You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

1Cor. 4:11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

1Cor. 4:12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

1Cor. 4:13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

√ Honored vs. Dishonored

We come now to the bottom line of the problem with the attitude of the believers in Corinth…

They wanted the honor of Men rather than the praise of God.

They wanted to be popular in this world more than they wanted to please God.

They wanted to be associated with the rich, the glamorous, and the sophisticated and wanted nothing to do with the sufferings that Paul endured.

But Paul reminds them that to follow Christ means to be rejected by the world, in fact Jesus said…

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” ~ John 15:18-19

So we find Paul listing by way of example some of the hardships that he faced as he faithfully obeyed the call that Jesus put on his life to remind his friends at Corinth that friendship with God brings persecution from the world.

Ap. Who do you want to be popular with?

We all want people to like us and even to be popular with others.

But the truth is that often times we have to chose with whom we’re going to be popular.

The reason? You’ll discover that there are times when you can’t be popular with both God and people and you’ll have to decide whose approval is more important to you.

Ex. Moses

While it’s true that the first time Moses tried to deliver the people of Israel that he went about it all wrong, none the less his heart was in the right place as testified by the author of Hebrews who writes of Moses he…

“esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” ~ Heb. 11:26

Reminding us that Moses had to chose between the popularity of Pharaoh and God.

Close

√ The spectacle

So, we’ve learned that the minister of God must be faithful in service and humble in attitude.

He must work hard and be willing to suffer just as Jesus did.

These are the criteria by which God judges His servants.

Ap. Spectacle vs. the Star

Are you willing to play a bit part in God’s great drama of Redemption in which His Son is the Star?

Or are you like the Corinthians still secretly wanting the lead role?

You’ll discover that effective and successful ministry comes to those who know their part and play it well always keeping in mind that everyone is here to see Jesus…

…not you.