BIG IDEA:
EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AGGRESSIVELY CONFRONTS SIN AND PROVIDES JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE OF NURTURE AND DISCIPLINE FOR THE NEED OF THE MOMENT TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR
INTRODUCTION:
Sin in the church of Jesus Christ cannot be ignored or swept under the carpet. It would be wrong to imagine that things will just correct themselves over time. Look at the tragic outcome in the life of the prophet Eli for failing to properly discipline his sons. The Apostle Paul deeply felt the burden of nurturing each church along the treacherous pathway of spiritual growth and maturity with all of the pitfalls and opposition along the way. Here he is concluding his lengthy section on contrasting the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God. He has just exposed the arrogant pride and self sufficiency of the Corinthians who were undermining his pastoral example and ministry foundation. They had taken their eyes off of their crucified Savior and were boasting in schisms centered around various prominent personalities in the church.
This section provides a casebook example of how to effectively perform nouthetic counseling (after the pattern described by Jay Adams in How to Help People Change).
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness . . .” (2 Tim. 3:16). Certainly all of these four elements can be traced through Paul’s interaction with the Corinthians as he seeks to correct them and restore them to vibrant spiritual health.
THREE TACTICS PURSUED BY THE APOSTLE PAUL IN HIS NOUTHETIC COUNSELING OF THE CORINTHIANS
Def. of “nouthetic counseling”:
The three ideas found in the word nouthesia are Confrontation, Concern and Change. To put it simply, nouthetic counseling consists of lovingly confronting people out of deep concern in order to help them make those changes that God requires.
http://www.gateway-biblical-counseling.net/definition.html
I. (:14-15) TACTIC #1 = CONFRONTATION — HIS AGGRESSIVE APPROACH — THE PREROGATIVE OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER TO ADMONISH AND CORRECT ERROR
Def. of Prerogative: an exclusive or special right, power or privilege (Webster’s)
A. (:14) His Fatherly Role Motivates Him to Confront Sin
1. Context for this Confrontation
“I write these things”
Look especially at the previous paragraph covered in 4:6-13
2. Goal for this Confrontation
a. Negatively – “not to shame you”
b. Positively – “but to admonish you”
word from which we get “nouthetic”
3. Tone for this Confrontation = Father-Child Love Relationship
“as my beloved children”
– writes out of a heart of loving concern
– it is appropriate for him to address their behavior issues
– he writes with the authority of a father
MacArthur: Despite their fleshly, even sometimes hateful immaturity, Paul always looked on the Corinthian believers with affection (cf. 2 Co 12:14, 15; Gal 4:19; Php 1:23-27; 3 Jn4).
B. (:15) His Fatherly Role Should Motivate the Corinthians to Receive His Counsel
1. Limitation of Role of Tutors
“for if you were to have countless tutors in Christ”
2. Uniqueness of Role of Father
“yet you would not have many fathers”
No, you only have one legitimate father.
[Illustration: Julie has been in many plays; many different actors have played her father; I always made it a point with her that I was uniquely “Father #1!]
3. Privilege of Role of Soul Winner
“for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”
– spiritual father in Christ
– power of the proclamation of the gospel message
– as a result, he certainly deserves their obedience – as long as what he is asking is consistent with following Christ = transition to next point
– “Who’s your Daddy?”
II. (:16-17) TACTIC #2 = CONCERN – SHARING HIS LIFE EXAMPLE — THE PATTERN OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP AND MINISTRY METHODOLOGY WORTH EMULATING
A. (:16) Key Exhortation: Imitate the Apostle Paul (as he imitated Christ)
“I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.”
Paul’s life and ministry methodology were consistent with his teaching;
What spiritual mentors have provided helpful examples for us?
What are the limitations of such models?
B. (:17) Reinforced by the Personal Ministry of Timothy
1. Choice of Sending Timothy = Paul’s #1 Clone
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy”
They are getting Paul’s best representative – His ace card
2. Commendation of Timothy – Properly mirrors this father-son bond
“who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord”
3. Christ-Centered Focus of Paul’s Example
“he will remind you of my ways where are in Christ”
4. Consistency of the Apostolic Example
a. All places
“just as I teach everywhere”
b. All churches
“in every church”
– No cultural accommodation
– There are certain non-negotiables in following Christ
III. (:18-21) TACTIC #3 = CHANGE — HIS CONFIDENCE IN DEMANDING CHANGE — THE POWER TO DISCIPLINE SIN AND OPPOSE ARROGANT OPPOSITION
A. (:18) The Challenge of Arrogance
“Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.”
B. (:19-20) The Confidence of Spiritual Power
1. (:19a) Personal Presence of the Apostle Paul – subject to God’s leading
“But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills”
2. (:19b) Prideful Pretenders – exposed as powerless
“and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power”
3. (:20) Spiritual Power – in submission to the kingdom of God
“for the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.”
C. (:21) The Call for Decision
1. You Make the Call
“What do you desire?”
2. Two Options
a. Rod of Loving Discipline
“Shall I come to you with a rod”
b. Peacefulness of Loving Gentleness
“or with love and a spirit of gentleness?”