HONEST RELATIONSHIPS
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 #10
February 14, 2006

Intro:
* With all the cynicism how can you have an "honest to God relationship"?
- This book is how "NOT" to do church.
* The first subject he deals with is relationship…
* A lack of honesty was the main problem as they lined up behind personalities instead lining up behind God & His truth.
3:18-23 remember the context…
This text gives us the simple formula to have honest to God relationships.

I. WE NEED HONEST ACCOUNTING (4:1a)

A. "Account"- financial accounting, make sure the balances line up.
1. Why? Paul under scrutiny after he leaves Corinth- they said, "Paul has ulterior motives", "Paul is in it for the money", etc.
2. Why he begins with relationships- they soon forgot the sacrifice that he made to reach & train them.
* When we make a mistake in counting it can be very costly.
Example
Mark 15:28 "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
* Same Greek word as in 1 Cor. 4:1 Jesus was crucified= "bad accounting"
They miscalculated; they numbered him with the transgressors- when he was SINLESS!
(Bad accounting can bring horrible consequences- good accounting can be a great blessing.)
Example:
Romans 4:1-4
"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
* Before Abram was circumcised or did anything for God.
* Genuine salvation not based on anything that we can do, but proper counting.
Have you counted right yet?
Don't mess up the balance sheet up.
* What religion says, "here is what you have to do"- messes up the balance sheet.
Romans 4:4 "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt."
God puts their works in the debt category- mess up the accounting.
* Example: Someone deposits $25 mil. In your account- you would be thankful.

* Why Paul brings up Abraham's name is the same offer to him is to us.
- Not working but believing-
Rom 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
* God says, "You believe & I'll count that for righteousness."

* Some think now that I am saved I'll "do" to gain God's favor.
Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
* It is NOT what we DO but we have a choice- based on Romans 6:11
"Likewise reckon (count, account) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
* Remember 1 Corinthians 3 "carnality" destroys relationships.
- When we operate in the power of the flesh- so we mess up our accounting.
- We don't like it when some one else messes up our accounts!
* So how do so we can have good accounting?

II. WE NEED A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR ROLE & REPSONSILITIES (4:1b-2)

1 Cor. 4:1-2 What this means in today's world.
- Biblical accountability comes from understanding our roles…
I need to understand what God made me
I need to understand expects of me…my rolls & responsibility.
- Important for our vertical & horizontal relationships.
Example: Basketball players can function when each players knows his role & responsibility on the team. (Who is the point guard etc.)
NOTE: Why marriages fail- rolls & responsibilities unknown.

A. We have two rolls
1. Ministers of Christ- "servant" (cp 3:5)
a. The word can be either minister or servant-
b. The word here very specific- ("under-oarsman") (typical two rows of rowers) super- ships (three rows of rowers)
- We are under oarsmen-
So why line up behind a superstar, our accounting is messed up.
- Titles not allowed.
2. Stewards of the mysteries - some one who is an overseer, manages the goods for another- all the goods, administrator or manager.
Paul says these are our roles!
Stewardship far more than money!
Of the mysteries of the bible - 7 distinct in the NT (truths that were hidden before Christ)
Stewards of His truth! God has put His truth into your hands- what will you do with it?

* God wants us out of OWNERSHIP & into MANAGEMENT!
Paul knew his roles: Servant & steward

B. WE have ONE responsibility- FAITHFULNESS (4:2)
1. To be in the word & prayer
2. To witness to anyone that passes my way

III. WE NEED HOLY CONFIDENCE (4:3-4)

NOTE: What kills relationship more than anything else- insecurity?
If I don't know what God made to be then I will vulnerable to what other think. (teens)
* Answer- know who made you & what He made you to be- then you will be secure.
* Now you know who you are & what He expects.
A. Paul says, "I don't care what you think because".
1. 4:3 The rumors went in one ear & out the other.
2. 4:4 I have a clear conscience -so call me whatever
Acts 24:16 "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
NOTE: So make sure you have a clean conscience before God.

1 Jn 3:20-21 "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

IV. WE NEED HEAVENLY PATIENCE (4:5)

A. Impatience kills relationships- they were so busy judging everyone that the church was falling apart.
1. Do you have the patience with others like God had with you? (Tony G illustration)
2. When He is working in our lives we want patience- but in others?
2 Cor. 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Rom 14:4 " Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."

B. How do you develop patience in relationships?
1. James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

2. Rom. 5:3 " And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

- We have problems when we become impatient- trying of your faith- tribulation.

NOTE: So expect difficulties in relationships if they are to grow.