Chad Coley
Series in First Corinthians
Spiritual Fathers in the Church
1 Corinthians 4:14 - 21
4 August 2024
The Corinthians thought the Apostle Paul was not worth listening to, though he was their spiritual father. Despite their coldness, Paul continues to love them as children.
Spiritual fathers love their children. Agape love is divine love which is committed, sacrificial, and regardless how we feel. Paul showed this kind of love to the Corinthians despite their continual questioning of him.
Spiritual fathers admonish their children. Paul desired to bring the Corinthians into alignment with the truth. His correcting them was not about shame or resentment, but a desire to see them live out the truth they knew.
Spiritual fathers guide their children by being worthy of imitation. As much as Paul imitated Christ, the Corinthians were to imitate Paul. No teacher is perfect, but faithful lives guide by example.
Spiritual fathers discipline their children. Paul gave the Corinthians correction because he loves them. Worldly wisdom doesn't have power to change lives, but godly discipline does - and when we are willing to learn, we can grow.