Stewards Of God's Mystery

Stewards Of The Mystery

Today, we're diving into one of our favorite apostles, Apostle Paul. We'll be exploring one of his early letters to the Corinthian church. In this letter, Paul lays a foundation for understanding our roles as leaders. As pastors, we must recognize our significance, value, and place as leaders, because failing to do so can lead to either overstepping our responsibilities or falling short in our leadership.

1 Corinthians 4 (King James Version)

4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

This is how we should be perceived, as ministers of Christ. When we encounter the term "minister," it comes from the root word, "administer." We are the ones who administer Christ. In other words, we dispense Christ. If we maintain this posture, it will help us during times of temptation. And no, I’m not referring to the temptations that our minds would readily go to, such as ‘fornication’ or ‘lust’, but the primary temptation for pastors is to claim ownership of Christ's inheritance - to assume lordship over God’s people. The real challenge arises when God has used you as a significant influencer in the lives of His people. That's when this temptation is most pronounced.

The Apostle Paul understood this and said he was given a 'thorn in the flesh':

2 Corinthians 12:7 (King James Version)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

If anyone could have been lifted up in pride, it would have been Paul. He operated in a powerful anointing and had an abundance of revelation. The “thorn”, which was his suffering, is the safeguard that God set up in his life to keep him humble. Despite all the miracles that Paul did, he was still subject to persecution. This suffering made the people know that the power did not come from him, but from God.

Even though the suffering was a safeguard that God installed in Paul’s life to keep him humble, Paul co-operated or co-labored with the Lord by establishing safeguards in his own heart. How? He identified with being an “administer of Christ” and a “steward” of the truths that God had revealed to him.

Stewards & Co-laborers

The Bible Teacher App:

The term "steward" in the biblical context refers to a person who is given charge, management over, or is an overseer of the mysteries of God. Stewards are ministers of Christ and are responsible for dispensing the gospel to the lost and those who are out of the way. They are required to be faithful, loyal, constant, and steadfast, and to remain true to the truth. They are also described as new creatures who are chosen by God to reveal Christ in them.

Being “co-laborers with God” means to work in partnership with Him in His divine plan for your life and the lives of others. It involves serving others, praying, and interceding for those around us, including those who may be facing negative situations or sin in their lives. It requires a pure heart and a righteous mind, and the willingness to examine and correct those things that do not please God. As colaborers, we are called to approve ourselves as ministers of God, enduring afflictions, necessities, and distresses with patience, kindness, and love unfeigned. We are to hold fast the grace of God and strive to fulfill His call in our lives.

Leaders are stewards of the mysteries of God. I know some believe that anyone can just read the Bible and understand it through hermeneutics, but that's not entirely true. The wisdom of God is past finding out, and so there are certain aspects of the word that are not easily searchable or understood through reading comprehension (i.e. they are mysteries). Understanding of God’s mysteries will only come if the Holy Spirit brings revelation and enlightenment to you personally, or if the Lord uses a steward of that mystery to explain it to you. Pastors, there are things that God will reveal to you to share with your congregation. If you do not share these things, then many aspects of the Bible will remain a mystery to the people you lead.

If your goal is to indeed be co-laborers with God, your will must be in submission to God. It’s easy to think that you have already covered this base, but examine yourself in light of the scripture below.

Acts 2:42

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

As stewards of the word, we are responsible to ensure that this verse is fulfilled in our lives. The apostle has to ensure that the pastors he oversees remain steadfast to the word that they receive. Likewise, the pastor must ensure that he remains committed to teaching that which the apostle ministers. This is a grave responsibility because if we are not true to it, the people will be cheated. They will be cheated of the present truth that is required to strengthen, encourage and empower them to overcome the situations that they are currently facing. This present truth is the apostles’ doctrine: it sustained the early church, and it will sustain the people of God of today who submit themselves to true apostles. The pastor who does not remain steadfast to teaching the apostles’ doctrine, will never produce a church with manifested sons of God.

Now, I want to touch on something important. Often, when you try to enforce the apostles’ doctrine, some pastors may resort to feeling like they are being controlled. I believe God wants us to elaborate on the difference between apostolic order and control in the relationship between apostles and pastors. To do this, let’s examine the story of Moses, Miriam and Aaron:

Numbers 12:1-8

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.

3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Key Points

Moses was God’s instituted authority over the children of Israel, and Miriam and Aaron were his undershepherds.

God did indeed speak to Miriam and Aaron, but not in the same way as Moses. God revealed his mysteries more apparently to Moses than to the others.

God expected Miriam and Aaron to reverence and respect Moses and his office of leadership.

Takeaways

Liken the relationship between Moses, Miriam and Aaron, to an apostle who has bishops and pastors within their leadership.

The apostles are God’s instituted authority in the body of Christ, and He feeds them with revelation in a comprehensive way. God does indeed speak to pastors and leaders, but often in a way where further clarification or a proper perspective is needed.

In order to please God, the pastor must accept that this is God's structure and design for the church. He must embrace that he is not being controlled, but walking in submission to the apostle’s leadership.

It is easy to let our knowledge and abilities lead us into abandoning God’s order and structure. Pride can make us believe we're better candidates for leadership, especially if we excel in an area, and can even lead us to rebel and incite rebellion, just as Miriam did. But if we do this, we will get the same response from God as Miriam - disapproval and rejection. We are all part of the body of Christ, with different roles and abilities. Respect God’s order and serve according to your place in the body.

Romans 12:3 (King James Version)

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The salvation experience is about bringing individuals into the body of Christ. We were once independent (or isolated from God), but through salvation, we became part of something greater. Whether rich or poor, black or white, Jewish or Gentile, we are all equal in Christ. God established an order so that we could function as equals in a way that holds everyone accountable. Much of the negatives we see in the church today is due to a lack of accountability. Even the apostle Apollos needed further instruction when he started in ministry. Priscilla and Aquila, who were evangelists, provided that guidance. Can you imagine if Apollos had been too proud and independent to accept further training? He would have missed out. Appreciate your role and lane, and stay within it.

The Importance of Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a requirement for stewards of God's mysteries. Faithfulness is tested when the church is small or when you're asked to do multiple tasks. You must be steadfast and unmovable, even when it seems challenging. Remember, you know nothing by yourself, just as Paul didn't rely on his own knowledge; he waited on God's inspiration.

1 Corinthians 4:4

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Likewise, we should remove ourselves as the source of revelation. Everything we know comes from God, passed down through the apostles. Being faithful stewards means we accept that we are channels of God’s wisdom, not its source, and we dispense that without alteration. Paul's statement, 'But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's judgment,' (1 Corinthians 4:3) highlights that human judgment is insignificant. We're judged by God, not by people. God judges us based on our faithfulness.

Recommended reading

Leadership Discipleship: Stewardship https://www.globalchurch.site/product-page/leadership-discipleship

Handling the word of God deceitfully

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Paul warns that if we allow darkness in our hearts, even if we eloquently convey God's Word, it will be tainted by our craftiness and deceit, and we will mishandle God's Word in some way. This is the definition of an unfaithful steward: though we have the knowledge of the word, the negatives in our character prevent us from dispensing that word to others. In order to handle the word of God deceitfully, you must purposefully twist and exploit the Word of God for personal gain rather than using it for its intended purpose of healing and building up the people of God.

The only remedy for an unfaithful steward is discipleship. Discipleship applies God's Word to specific circumstances and struggles. It is essentially about letting the Word of God seep into every nook and cranny of our lives, influencing our decisions, emotions, imagination, and conversations. When the Word truly resides in us, it is a powerful tool for shaping our character and how we interact with others.

2 Corinthians 4:3

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Some may reject the truth because they're blinded by this world and by their own desires and sins. In these instances, God is not hiding the word from that individual, but rather they make the conscious decision to not see the gospel. All of us should ask ourselves if we're genuinely receptive to the Word of God or if we too are blinded by our own desires and sins.

Furthermore, it is dishonest to preach only certain parts of the Word, while avoiding topics that you consider irrelevant. This selective handling of Scripture is a form of deception and compromises your ministry. All aspects of the Word, even the challenging and convicting parts, must be embraced and taught without reservation.

Handling the word deceitfully starts by justifying our sins or comparing them to others. We tend to believe that our contributions to God's work remove all responsibility for us to be holy. Over time, this practice can lead to a state where we lose sight of the true character of Christ. Authenticity is compromised, and the seriousness of the Word is diluted.

Renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty lays the foundation for a ministry that is rooted in integrity. Abstain from craftiness and deceitful handling of God's Word. Let your ministry set an example of consistent righteous character before those that you lead. Be a representation of the principles and teachings you profess. When you open yourself up to scrutiny by others' consciences, they should find you blameless. Your congregation deserves a leader that they can depend on to be holy, no matter what.