477. 1CO 4:1. MINISTERS STEWARDS

1Co_4:1. Ministers Stewards

"And stewards of the mysteries of God."’971Co_4:1.

A steward is one who presides over the household affairs of a family, and is appointed to make provision for it. The church of Jesus is a family. A family of regenerated persons, the 30ns and daughters of the Lord Almighty. It is a household. "The household of faith." God is the father of this family, for they are all the children of God by faith. Jesus is the exalted and blessed elder brother, with whom is invested supreme and universal authority over it. And Christian ministers are stewards to live and labor for its welfare and comfort. The text refers,

I. To the Ministerial Office.

"Stewards." And,

II. To the great Subject of their Labors.

"The mysteries of God." The text refers,

I. To the Ministerial Office,

"Stewards."

1. This is a subordinate office.

"Stewards," not lords, not masters. All power and lordly authority belongs to Jesus. He is the head of the body,’97the church. To the disciples Jesus said, "One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Christianity has suffered irreparable loss from the lordly spirit and conduct of those who have occupied the ministerial office.

2. It is an appointed office.

Not a self-assumed one. No man puts himself into the stewardship. The apostle Paul was exceedingly susceptible on this point. He often refers to his call of God, &c. "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called," &c., Rom_1:1. "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ," &c., 1Co_1:1. "Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ," Gal_1:1. The Christian minister is not called miraculously as was Paul, or by an audible voice, as most of the apostles, but he professes to feel moved to undertake the stewardship by the voice of the Holy Spirit, the constraining power of the love of Christ, and the invitation of the church of God, which is the pillar and ground of truth.

3. It is an exalted office.

Workers together with God, 2Co_6:1. Of the same vocation with Jesus, the prince of preachers’97that great shepherd of the sheep. Every other calling is insignificant when compared to that which has immediately to do with the glory of God, and the eternal salvation of human beings.

4. It is a responsible office.

Every steward is responsible to his lord. So the Christian steward must give an account of himself and of his charge to God. He is responsible for the talents with which he is furnished. For the time and opportunities with which he is intrusted; for the right discharge of his duties; for faithfulness to the interests of his Lord; and for affectionate fidelity to the souls of his flock. How great the trust! How weighty the charge! How solemn the responsibility!

"’Tis not a cause of small import,

The pastor’s care demands,

But what might fill an angel’s heart,

And fill’d a Saviour’s hands."

Notice,

II. The great Subject of their Labors.

"Stewards of the mysteries of God." The mysteries of God are the great truths of the gospel. The gospel as a whole, is a clear revelation of the love and mercy of God to mankind, in and through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As such it is adapted to the plainest capacity. And as such when expounded by its great teacher, it is said, "The common people heard him gladly." Yet this gospel has its great and sublime truths. It has its lofty and glorious doctrines. To these we are referred by the apostle Paul.

1. The mystery of Messiah’s person and incarnation.

"Great is the mystery of godliness," &c., 1Ti_3:16; Luk_1:35.

2. The mystery of salvation through his cross.

Christ crucified, the great theme of the gospel ministry, is still to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the learned speculating philosophers of the world, foolishness. Yet to the believer, it is the power of God to salvation, 1Co_1:18-25.

The mystery of the resurrection of the body.

Read the truly sublime representation of it as given by the apostle, 1Co_15:12-54. Now the Christian steward is to publish and expound the mysteries of God. He is to make known all the divine counsel. To break to the household of Christ’s family the bread of life. To study the variety of character and state of each member. To give the sincere milk of the word to babes. To give strong meat to the mature and aged disciples, and a portion of spiritual food to all in due season. In doing this effectually, and being faithful to the solemn trust, it will behoove him to be diligent, fervent, studious, prayerful. Much reading and meditation will be indispensable, and he must give himself wholly to the work.

Application

1. Let the stewards of Jesus reflect often on the solemn, arduous nature of their work.

2. Let them use all possible means for being thoroughly and ably furnished for fulfilling their calling.

3. Let Christian stewards have a deep place in the affectionate regards and prayers of the church. "Brethren, pray for us," &c. Hold up their hands; encourage their hearts, and pray down blessings upon their souls and work.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS