A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF CHRIST IS NOT A MAN-PLEASER: 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
DISCUSSION
Read verse 3. What does Paul say is “a very small thing,” and what does he mean? In verse 3, what does Paul say he does not do to himself, and how does the beginning of verse 4 clarify what he means? Is Paul “acquitted” because he is “not aware of anything against” himself? Why or why not, according to verse 4?
DOCTRINE: A faithful steward of Christ does not strive to please man, the world, or even himself, ultimately. A faithful steward strives to please His Master, Christ.
I. A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF CHRIST IS NOT A MAN-PLEASER (1 Corinthians 4:3a)
II. A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF CHRIST IS NOT A WORLD-PLEASER (1 Corinthians 4:3b)
III. A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF CHRIST IS NOT A SELF-PLEASER (1 Corinthians 4:3c-4a)
IV. A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF CHRIST IS A CHRIST-PLEASER (1 Corinthians 4:4b)
OBJECTIONS
Objection I) Does Paul not say elsewhere that he does in fact try to please men? (1 Corinthians 10:33, Romans 15:2-3)
A. Yes, but this is not “the fear of man” or “man-pleasing,” properly speaking. This is, first, Paul striving not to put cultural stumbling blocks in unbelievers’ ways, because he wants their salvation. Secondly, in Romans 15, Paul is exhorting us to live for the eternal good of others, just as Christ has done for us.
Objection II) Does this mean that we should not care at all what anyone else thinks?
A. I answer, No! But we should only care insofar as God’s Word is clear. (Proverbs 11:14, Matthew 18:17)
Objection III) Does this mean we should not examine ourselves nor pay attention when our conscience is under distress?
A. I answer, No! But we should realize that even if we examine ourselves and find nothing, or even if our conscience is clear, we may still be in the wrong—Christ will be the judge. (Jeremiah 17:19)
APPLICATION
I) To strive to please man is to strive to please creations when you should be striving to please the Creator (Isaiah 2:22).
II) Men can never be pleased because even their standards of approval are always changing (Matthew 11:18-19).
III) If you strive to please men, you are rejecting the wisdom of God (Proverbs 9:10).
IV) When you care more for pleasing men than pleasing Christ, you are acting like an atheist (Isaiah 51:12-13).
V) Christ Himself did not please men, therefore how can you dare to think it is possible (John 15:18-20)?
VI) Christ Himself promised you will not please all men if you are faithful to Him (Matthew 10:21-22).
VII) Christ Himself pronounced a curse on you when all men speak well of you (Luke 6:26).
VIII) The temptation to please man is a trap that many fall prey to (Proverbs 29:25).
IX) The antidote to fearing man is to fear God (Psalm 118:6-9).
X) If you make it your aim to please God, He may even make your enemies be at peace with you (Proverbs 16:7).
XI) You must strive to be a Christ-pleaser in your vocation, and not simply a man-pleaser (Colossians 3:22-24).
XII) You can either strive to please man or strive to please Christ; you cannot do both at the same time (Galatians 1:10).
XIII) If you are not in Christ, you cannot hope to please God (Romans 8:8).
XIV) If you are in Christ by faith, having your sins washed away and being clothed in His righteousness, God is pleased with you for Christ’s sake (Romans 5:1, Mark 1:14).
XV) You do not have to strive to please men or the world or even yourself to be happy; you only have to be strive to please Christ (Colossians 1:10).