First Corinthians 4 Part 6 Follow Those Who Are Good Examples

Paul's faithful preaching led to many conversions at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 

Paul is addressing the issues of divisions and creating cliques by following certain men. 

From this text it is clear that many men in Corinth considered themselves superior to the apostle and better qualified to teach in the church.

The Spirit of God guided Paul to speak to this issue because following a man instead of following hard after Christ will lead to spiritual disaster. 

Creating conflicts, divisions and schisms in the church is something God hates (See Proverbs 6:16-19). 

Elevating one man over another creates strife and causes Christians to lose sight of our mission to advance the Great Commission (See Matthew 28:18-20). 

At Corinth, God led Paul to two faithful servants of Christ. 

Acts 18:1-3  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

Paul traveled from Athens to Corinth and as soon as he arrived in Corinth, the Lord led him to a Christian couple named Aquila and Priscilla. 

Thus, he was blessed to have two like minded Christians to help him minister the gospel of Christ to the Corinthians.

Also, note that Luke tells us Paul, Aquila and Priscilla had to work with their hands. 

They made and sold tents in order to provided food, clothing and shelter to meet their needs in Corinth. 

This reflects badly upon some churches planted by Paul, for they should have gladly provided funding for his ministry. 

You and I may never be called to the mission field, but we can give funds to help support those who are called. 

This is a wonderful way that you and I participate in the Great Commission. 

Paul faithfully preached the gospel at Corinth, despite much opposition.

Acts 18:4-6  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5)  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6)  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 

Paul's pattern of ministry was always to find a Jewish synagogue in each city that he traveled to. 

He did this so that he could preach the gospel to the Jews, who knew the Old Testament scriptures. 

Some Gentiles who feared God often attended a synagogue with the Jews as proselytes or foreigners who adopted Judaism. 

Silas and Timothy joined Paul at Corinth and the apostle was pressed by the Spirit of God to strongly exalt Jesus Christ as their Messiah, King and Savior.

As often happens, the Jews exploded with hatred and blasphemed the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Those who blaspheme the Lord Jesus Christ will be severely judged.

Matthew 10:11-15  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12)  And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13)  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14)  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15)  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. 

Paul then shook the dust off his garment and told the Jews that their blood was on their own heads. 

Why did Paul shake off the dust from his garment? It is because this is what Jesus told His disciples to do as they went forth preaching the gospel. 

They were to shake the dust off their garments and depart from each place where the gospel was rejected. 

This was a sign of judgment that the people refused to listen to God's spokesmen. God turned Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes for practicing sexual perversion. 

Such a comparison would be a vivid reminder to the Jews of God's judgment for those to refuse to obey Him.

Paul faithfully preached Christ but they rejected Christ and if they persisted, they would die in their sins. 

But, Paul was clean. He had done what God sent him there to do. 

Paul preached the gospel and taught the people for 18 months. 

Acts 18:7-11   And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8)  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9)  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11)  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 

Paul stayed on at Corinth for 1/2 years, faithfully preaching the gospel of Christ and faithfully instructing new converts in the doctrines of Jesus Christ. 

Even the chief ruler of the synagogue was led to faith in Christ. Many Corinthians heard the word, and responded with repentant faith, and were baptized. 

Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision and told the apostle that He had many people to save at Corinth, and that Paul must continue preaching the Word. 

This is why Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was the apostle sent by God who preached the gospel of Christ at Corinth.  

Paul poured his life into ministering the gospel to them. He was in effect their spiritual father, used of God to bring the good news.

1 Corinthians 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 

Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to use a different word about following him. This word means to imitate the pattern of life displayed by Paul's speech, conduct and attitude. 

Paul faithfully followed hard after Jesus Christ all his days after he was saved on the road to Damascus. His life was a worthy pattern for Christians to follow. 

As children should imitate their parents in preference to all others, Paul calls on them to imitate him because he claims them for his children. 

Paul lived for God and eternity, seeking not his own glory or a life of ease. Those who caused division at Corinth were motivated by pride and greed. 

Paul compared himself with them and said they should follow and imitate him, as he followed and imitated Christ.

The idea is that we should not imitate those whose corrupt fruits show themselves to be motivated by pride or worldliness.

God gave us the apostles and others as good examples to follow.

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 

Paul gave the command to walk a worthy walk as a believer in Christ to the Ephesians and Philippians, and all generations of Christians.

Paul's walk matched his talk. What he said he believed he lived out such that no one could say he failed at following His Lord.

Paul walked the same worthy walk that he urges each of us to follow. 

There were many other Christians who also walked a worthy walk and Paul urges each one of us to follow the example of those who followed hard after Christ, in spite of the cost. 

Never follow those who deviate from the truth of God's Word.

Philippians 3:18-19  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

In contrast to Paul many false teachers and those who sowed discord among the brethren, lived for self and sought the praise of men.

A corrupt tree can only produce corrupt fruit but a good tree will always produce good fruit (See Matthew 7:15-20).

Those who cause division and discord are enemies of the cross of Christ, because they have no intention of picking up their cross each day and following Jesus Christ.

They are marked out by God for destruction and will face final judgment one day. 

Philippians 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21)  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

In contrast, Paul and the other apostles, lived a consistent life marked by a clear focus on the things of God. Their hearts were oriented toward heaven and they cared little for the things of this world.

Thus, we are all encouraged to follow hard after Christ, keeping the apostolic doctrine, knowing one day Jesus will return and change our vile body into a body fit for His presence in heaven.

Bob