Introduction Chapter 3 – Three Pictures of the Church: 1.The Family 2.The Field 3.The Temple Chapter 4 – Three Pictures of the Minister: 1.A Steward (vs. 1-6) 2.A Spectacle (vs. 7-13) 3.A Spiritual Father (vs )

1 st Characteristic: Faithfulness – of the Steward – Vs. 1-6 A. Account Leaders as Minsters of Christ” servants of God of equal rank. 1.Greek word for Ministers = “under-rowers” 2.Minister is a STEWARD a.Steward is made up of two Greek words meaning “house law.” He was an administrator, trustee–an overseer of an estate. b.Steward of the “mysteries of God” 1)Mystery is NOT something hard to understand – rather something hidded and kept sercet 2)What are these mysteries = truths of God’s Word

3.RESPONDSIBILTY of the steward is to be FAITHFUL to his Master  He must not hold back or fail to share the mysteries of God  He must not substitute some other message for the mysteries of God.  He must not mix some other message with the mysteries of God. As the minister of God he must be faithful to his call! He is the minister of Christ & the steward of the mysteries of God. He must—absolutely must—proclaim those mysteries.

B.Three Judgements 1.There is man’s judgement – 4:3a 2.There is the servant’s own self-judgment: 4:3b-4a 3.The most important judgment is God’s judgment: 4:4b C. Three Rebukes FIRST, “You are judging God’s servants at the WRONG TIME” – Vs. 5 SECOND, “You are judging by the WRONG STANDARD” – Vs. 6a THIRD, “You are judging with the WRONG MOTIVE” – 4:6b

1 st Characteristic: Faithfulness – of the Steward – Vs nd Characteristic: Humbleness – The Spectacle – Vs A. Contrasted with PRISONERS – Vs. 7-9 B. Contrast is that of WISE MEN with FOOLS – Vs. 10a C.Then in vs. 10b there is the contrast of STRONG MEN with WEAK D.Lastly, in vs. 10c-13 we contrasted the HONOURABLE with the DESPISED FAITHFULNESS in service and HUMBLENESS of mind: these are two important characteristics of a minister of Jesus Christ. He must be willing to work and willing to suffer. It is one thing to be faithful and quite another to be popular. But there is a THIRD CHARACTERISTIC that helps to balance the others.

1 st Characteristic: Faithfulness – of the Steward – Vs nd Characteristic: Humbleness – The Spectacle – Vs rd CHARACTERISTIC: Tenderness – That of a Spiritual Father – Vs st Paul Had Founded The Family – Vs nd Paul Was An Example To The Family – Vs “Your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks! “ 3 rd Paul Was Faithful To Discipline The Family – Vs

CONCLUSION: The office of a Pastor as God’s Overseer of a local church is not easy. He doesn’t stand above his congregation, but nonetheless is answerable to His Master for his faithfulness is caring for the flock God has given him. As such this does not remove the fact the flock is also answerable for the reception of their care. As their example they are to mimic their pastor as he humbly follows the Lord. As such they are to be ministers, steward and spiritual parents. It is not an easy thing to be a minister of Jesus Christ. As a steward, you must be faithful to your Master no matter what men may say to you or do to you. You will be treated as refuse by the people of the world. Your own spiritual children may break your heart and have to be disciplined. God’s faithful servants deserve our love, respect, obedience, and prayer support.