Back to Basics: Applications from 1 Corinthians
“Becoming a Bible study leader was simply the next phase of growth in discipleship and an opportunity to trust God”
1 Corinthians was written to correct a church that was doing almost everything wrong, and chapter four is filled with leadership principles that apply to the leaders in Corinth and to us today. Over the course of three sermons, Pastor Brandon taught us how biblical leadership stewards, serves, and stirs. The timing of these messages was perfect, as God used them to help me reflect on my recent transition into the role of Bible study leader, refine my understanding of the description, defining convictions, and devotion of a servant leader, and envision me for continued growth and development.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
The first message, Leadership that Stewards, covered 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. The chapter opens with the apostle Paul reminding the leaders of the church in Corinth of their fundamental roles as ministers (servants) of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, and Pastor Brandon reminded us of the same. At Midtown Baptist Temple we say, “Every member a minister,” which means every member is to be a servant of the Lord and within the church body. Pastor Brandon explained that this phrase isn’t a mantra used to spur ministry participation; it is the description of us as followers of Christ. The role of servant leader became ours when we trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are the expected functions of every believer, not just the select few with the title “pastor.” This means at every step and stage of our spiritual growth, we are to edify our brothers and sisters in the faith, and we are cultivate a shepherd’s heart for souls and mindset to feed, protect, and care for His sheep, whether it be overseeing one in discipleship or many in Bible study.
Another role of biblical leadership mentioned in the passage is that of a steward (manager) of the mysteries of God. A biblical mystery is a truth once concealed in the Old Testament and now revealed in the New Testament. Since we have the completed revelation of God’s word, the Bible’s seven mysteries are not mysterious to us. In fact, they are easy to find, because they are self-identified as “mysteries” and are plainly defined in the text (1 Tim 3:16; Col 1:27; Eph 5:25-32; 1 Cor 15:51; 1 Thes 4:17; Rom 11:25; 2 Thes 2:7; Rev 17:5). In addition to being accountable to God for managing these truths, Pastor Brandon encouraged us to act on our personal responsibility, learning how to study the word of God for ourselves and how to feed it to others (2 Tim 2:15).
As I transitioned into Bible study leadership and I became increasingly aware of the roles and responsibilities to serve, lead, shepherd, and steward, these realities were daunting to my flesh. I was hesitant to move forward, but the Lord used a conversation with a godly mentor to reframe my perspective biblically. As followers of Jesus Christ, the goal of our lives is to be conformed to His image (Rom 8:29), which means we will follow his steps and do what he did. Jesus’ mission was to do the will of the Father (Jhn 4:37) by teaching the 12 disciples to know the Father (Jhn 17:3-4) and dying on the cross for our sins (Luk 22:42; Jhn 19:30). Likewise, we are to be disciples who make disciples, and we must embrace the reality that discipleship (a.k.a. servant leadership) will cost us everything. Therefore, becoming a Bible study leader was simply the next phase of growth in discipleship and an opportunity to trust God and move forward in faith and obedience.
As God brought me to the proper biblical perspective, He renewed in me a right spirit, a desperate dependency on the Lord to do what only He can do in and through me, and a thankful heart for the opportunities we have at MBT and in C&YA to be trained as the servant leaders, shepherds, and stewards God calls us to be.
1 Corinthians 4:6-7 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
“Our servant leadership is to be defined by humility and total dependence on God to work in and through us for His glory”
In the second message, Leadership that Serves, Pastor Brandon used 1 Corinthians 4:6-17 to show us that biblical leadership goes beyond the description of servant leader and steward. Our leadership is defined by where we place authority and how we see ourselves (identity). For the Corinthians (and us) the warning was against pride – esteeming mere men more highly than we ought (authority, verse 6) and taking credit for the gifts that God had given (identity, verse 7). Our servant leadership is to be defined by humility and total dependence on God to work in and through us for His glory.
Considering the convictions of authority and identity took me back to Discipleship 1, where we learn these must be established in the word of God alone. As we continue to study the Bible and believe what God says and who He says we are, He renews our minds, transforms our lives, and also tests these convictions.
Again, the transition into Bible study leadership brought about these tests. During this time, my heart was met with deep-seated fears which triggered floods of feelings and memories of past mess-ups, all of which told me I could not do the job and would certainly fail. Victory or defeat came down to choices about the convictions in question — where I would place authority (in my feelings or the facts of God’s word?) and how I would see myself (victim or victor in Christ?). It was only by surrendering my will, filtering my emotions through the word of God, and fixing my eyes on the Lord, that He enabled (and is enabling) me to move forward in faith step by step. Looking back, I praise God for how He used the struggles to humble me, draw me to dependence on Him, and reinforce the absolute necessity of the word of God being my final authority and my identity resting in Christ alone.
1 Corinthians 4:14-16 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 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. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
“The Christian life is all about consistently living out and passing on the basics we learn in D1 over and over till Jesus returns”
The third message, Leadership that Stirs, revealed the heart behind servant leadership – Christ’s love. As we examined verses 14-21, Pastor Brandon detailed how leadership that nurtures, provides, corrects, and stirs others to follow them as they follow Christ is found in his compassion for souls.
“Love welcomes correction” is a phrase that describes how Pastor Brandon learned to win the hearts of his students in order to foster an environment for nurturing their learning, growth, and development, offering loving correction when needed. He encouraged us to reflect on the relationships we have with our spiritual fathers and mothers and value their investments in us (v. 15). Indeed, I am eternally grateful for those God has used to impact my spiritual life, and I am trusting God to continue to be used by Him to invest His word in souls and keep the ripple effect going (v. 16; 2 Tim 2:2).
This message also reminded me of the simple truth that the devotion of a servant leader, shepherd, and steward is grounded in and grows up and out from our love relationship with the Lord. As the first love and focus of our lives, we will naturally love what and who He loves. His love compels our service, cultivates a shepherd’s heart in us, motivates our faithful stewardship, and matures us into spiritual parents.
Matthew 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Moreover, as I considered these leadership principles, I discovered they parallel and are a continuation of the 4 Goals of Discipleship! Leadership that stirs possesses a devotion to the Lord that is zealous and infectious, which can only come from being established in the worship of God (Goal 1) and keeping Him on the throne of our heart and will. Leadership that serves holds fast to their defining convictions (the final authority of the word of God and identity in Christ) established in the Word of God (Goal 2). Leadership that stewards grows in spiritual influence from learner and follower to servant leader, shepherd, steward, and spiritual parent while training and doing the work of the ministry (Goal 4) in the context of the local church (Goal 3). The Christian life is all about consistently living out and passing on the basics we learn in D1 over and over till Jesus returns. As we do, He makes us perfect (mature), stablishes, strengthens, settles us (1 Pet 5:10) and uses us to help others to do the same.
Had it not been for Pastor Brandon’s teachings, I am not sure I would have gleaned all the biblical leadership principles we covered in 1 Corinthians 4. I am thankful for how God used this mini-series to connect the dots to what He has been teaching me on the “Path to Growth” (Discipleship 1, Discipleship 2, LFBI) since coming to MBT in 2019, bring me back to basics, and envision me for the path ahead. I am trusting Him for the grace to be a faithful servant leader, under shepherd of His flock, steward of His word, and spiritual mother for His glory.
Charity Fluharty is a member of MBT and a part of C&YA. She is a discipler and leads a Friends of Internationals Bible Study.
