1 Corinthians 4:14-21, Listen to your Father!

I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself.

 This is why I sent Timothy to you earlier. He is also my dear son, and true to the Master. He will refresh your memory on the instructions I regularly give all the churches on the way of Christ.

 I know there are some among you who are so full of themselves they never listen to anyone, let alone me. They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.

 So how should I prepare to come to you? As a severe disciplinarian who makes you toe the mark? Or as a good friend and counselor who wants to share heart-to-heart with you? You decide.  - The Message –

Who’s your father?

The Apostle rejected any notion of divisions in the church…following preferred leaders. His words, up to this point, have been pretty direct. He takes a moment to let his readers know he’s not attempting to shame them. He only wants to see them grow up. And that is Paul’s responsibility.

But…why should they believe Paul’s words if they would rather follow Apollos? Or Peter? Paul says it simple: LISTEN TO YOUR FATHER!

Who was it who led you to Christ? That’s your spiritual father. That’s who you should follow. In the case of the Corinthians…Paul was father to every one of them. Of course, the father of us all is God, Himself.

The Corinthians would have had far less trouble if they had simply done what dad said…

We can find unity and harmony if we follow Paul’s advice. Our earthly father (or mother) is the person who led us to Christ. In this world, that is the person we should trust. After all, we know they are faithful (“pistos”) leaders because we are their fruit. If, in the course of our lives, we find this divides us from other believers, we should “run it up the chain” to our common “grandfather”, God himself. At that point there can be no disagreement or division. It’s brilliant.

And…I’m really blessed. My father is Billy Graham (1963, Minneapolis Crusade). So, I have about a gazillion brothers and sisters. Even better, for those of you who are my cousins…we’re just a generation removed from Our Heavenly Father. If we have a problem, let’s go speak with Him.

Live boldly out there today…