 All right, let's continue from where we stopped. We looked at chapter 3 and Let's move into chapter 4 Share the notes Okay, chapter 3 now Paul has instructed the believers on how to you know Focus on true ministry and how the God will you know judge his ministers now chapter 4 he talks about A lot of aspects right now chapter 4 first Corinthians chapter 4 has a lot of You know context in its Greek, right? So there's there's a lot of stewardship servanthood And so we must understand The Greek so that we get a right understanding, right? Well, you know, we don't understand servants as somebody who's just you know when you know a bond slave or whatever Somebody says we do that's not true meaning, but let's look at what Paul is trying to in you know Encourage the church in this portion, right? So let's pick up from chapter 4 was 1 and 2 Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mystery of God Moreover, it is required in stewards that one we found faithful Right, so the Greek word servants I'm sure most of us know it's superities which is a subordinate functioning Subordinate servant functioning as a free man, right? So that's what the Greek word is a subordinate servant functioning as a free man Right, so he's not bound Servant is not somebody who's like, you know, you have to do this only then You will be blessed or only then I will give you your Income or your salary or only then will I give you food and anything, right? So he's trying Paul is trying to bring that difference. He's saying You are let us consider letter letter man So consider us as who prays is meaning a subordinate, but he's functioning as a free man right now Paul chose not to use the Greek word doulas, which is a bond slave Right, why because a bond slave is somebody who has to do what has been assigned to him Right, there's no willingness. There's no free choice there right now a who pretties can Work as a slave or you know be a servant for some time and he can just go away because he's a free man But a doulas means a bond slave. So for example, let's take this example. He has to work in this In his master's house for three years Now after two years, he can't say no, I don't like you as a master. You give me too much of work I'm going to go he can't do that because He's he's on a bond, right? There is a contract only then he can move out So as servants of God, this is very important when we say servant of God, you know for many years I had the wrong picture of a servant or whatever, you know It is we have to do this. No as servants of God We must serve God willingly and out of our own choice Because we are who who parades we are not doulas. We're not a bond slave I know that Paul later on he says I'm a bond slave. But again, he's referring to You know his his Attitude his ministry towards Christ to the to the kingdom of God, right? But here he's saying we are all servants functioning Serving God out of our own free choice Right the Greek words two words here is iconomous and a manager who's been put in charge of a place or a household to take care of it Until the owner comes back or take care of it as on behalf of the owner So you got two words there one who parades one iconomous now Here's interesting Okonomous means a manager put in charge of a household on behalf of the owner Right, so when we look at ministry We are put in charge as managing God's kingdom God's work God's field we are managing God's field Until the owner comes and we know that in the book of revelations You know when the rapture happens that he'll come and he'll take the church Right. So so it's it is on behalf of the owner So we are not the owners of go what we are doing right We may have started or even pioneered apostle Paul pioneered ministries, but he is himself is saying I'm just put in charge to take care. I'm a steward of what God has put in place on my life I'm an iconomous just a manager But Paul didn't you start the church in Corrin? Did you didn't you pioneer the church in Galatia and Ephesus? Yes, I pioneered it. I started it But God it is God's work I'm just a manager Paul is inviting the believers to see These three people right the Peter Paul and Apollo's to see them as servants of God People who are willingly serving God Not not as kings or rulers Reservants Willingly choose to step down and to serve right and Stewards of his mysteries. What is the meaning of steward right? We saw there right stewards iconomas a manager So God has revealed his wisdom upon his people on these three Paul Peter and Apollo's And these three are just managers of What God has revealed to them Now this is the right way to view ministers of God We as pastors leaders prophets evangelists, we are not superheroes. We are not superstars and God's kingdom and we are not to be expected to treat it that way Nor are we to treat people that way right We are to conduct ourselves as servants and stewards of Christ now when you look at you know Things that are happening in in the church globally especially in places in the West we see this whole attitude of stardom Right. We see stardom superheroes so they come They just you know nobody should touch me if anybody touches me my anointing will go So they come from the back. They preach and they run away from the back. I Nobody can come near them What is that now? Why is it like that? It is one is because their Character or the they've misunderstood what being a servant is and to it is also the fault of us as believers to Place them on a pedestal to make them our superheroes Right, it's it's not only their fault. It's been our fault as believers. It's the church's fault and We must be careful Right now if we just treat them as people who are God is anointed because we honor them We appreciate them But they are just managing what God has given Right now doesn't mean I dishonor a pastor or a preacher. I don't dishonor them We love them. We say thank you. Thank God for them. Thank God that they are building the kingdom of God But what is the bigger picture? They are stewards of Christ Right and so we must be very careful Very careful. And one of the things we intentionally in apc We do is we treat everyone equally Right, whether they're serving in the You know children's church or in the in the setup team Just even at the welcome lounge or whether you're in the pastoral team We're all equal. We're all stewards of Christ Many times as pastors we just go and stand in the welcome lounge welcoming people Are they volunteers? Yes, but even we also do it Yes, so to know that hey, we are We are also normal people. We are not superheroes. We are not super anointed and the others are just, you know Mildly anointed. No, we're all equal right Verse two moreover it is required and stewards that one be found faithful right The what is required in ministry is to be faithful now You know Jesus talked about being faithful in the parable of the talents. He said that the master rewarded two servants There were two servants He said, okay, here keep this money. I'm gonna go. I have some work. I'll come back Do what you please with it one takes it goes digs a hole puts it in there And then the other one goes and he uh, you know, invests it and gets double He was a faithful student Right now god rewards faithfulness God rewards faithfulness Uh, now it can be the smallest of things Nobody can even Know that you're doing it God rewards that faithfulness Right it could be serving tea We say god You know five years. I'm in the church. I've been serving tea past five years God rewards that faithfulness now It does not mean that you be comfortable serving tea the whole five years you should grow All right grow in your gifts grow in your calling But god knows how to lead you right just be faithful Trust god be sincere Be dependable be trustworthy be accountable Be reliable You serve god with a sincere heart You know just being pure being honest before god And you know when we serve god that way People will automatically recognize our faithfulness Right god will reward it now. It's not that god will only reward faithfulness when we go to heaven. No He will reward us at the right time in the right way. He will reward us Just be faithful in the small things You know, I'm just reminded of this and this is not a boast or Anything but I'm just reminded of this. I remember many many years ago You know when I was in studying in the bible college The worship team used to come and practice in the bible college Right, so I was in charge of the cleaning of the bible college so every day I would go and Clean the entire college. We had a team two three of us. We go we cleaned the entire college And so this one day we had cleaned the college And we finished our classes after the worship team came for practice and they came they practiced and You know Everything was thrown like paper cups and Ships packets and all kinds of things would just thrown everywhere. I'm so upset I used to think god I want to be in the worship team But all I'm doing is cleaning this Bible college day after day after day. It's been one and a half years now. I'm just cleaning this And these guys have come and dirty the whole place. We have to sit and clean the whole thing again I'm so upset that day I was just sitting and I'm saying god, I can't do this. What is this? But I remember the Holy Spirit telling me paul you'll be faithful You'd do nobody was there in the bible college. I was all alone And I just felt the Holy Spirit telling me A time will come for you Now is not your time a time will come. I will take you I will I will make you stand in front of people and you will do what you want to do But now you be faithful. I say god, this is not fun. I like playing the guitar. I like being in the worship team You know, so for two years, I was in charge of cleaning Entire bible college clean the cobwebs clean the toilets Clean everything Right And at the right time god opened the door Right, so being sincere being trustworthy and I thank god for giving me that because even now If you if I have to clean or if I have to you know, clean a place or clean the toilet I don't mind doing it It's not like oh now I've become a pastor. No, I should not do it No, it's just that now we have other, you know, a lot of things to do and there are volunteers who will do it But if there is a need I will do it I remember we went to a church yesterday Right, uh, we saw a lot of you know things that needed to be done. We just put our hands It's not like we walk into church and then sit there and say, okay Everything should be ready and I go and preach No Right, so I went I did all the work, you know, didn't carry the water cans Filled water for people Uh, just make sure the cables are aligned properly Set the chairs, right? It's okay Right because they're being sincere. It's being true trustworthy And when we stay these Stay the course even when things are challenging God will reward it Right now the problem with this generation of people is They say no, no, I can't do this. This is what I will do Nothing apart from this And this this is what I am called to be pastor. I will only preach We forget about Being the you know being sincere. We forget about how God Works in people's lives If if that's the way God works and maybe your life, that's great If you know want to be a pastor immediately God takes you puts you you become a pastor good But if God is taking you through a series Or a season of waiting And you're just doing some random thing. Just not in line with we are calling. Don't worry. Be faithful Be sincere. God will open the right door, right? So I just wanted to encourage you with that What's three to five But with me It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by human court In fact, I do not even judge myself For I know of nothing against myself yet. I am justified by this But he who judges me is the Lord Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveals the counsels of the heart? Then each one's praise will come from God now Paul is He's he's just You know, he's bringing his whole. He's not even evaluating himself He's saying I'm not concerned about what people think of me. Now. That's a very difficult place to come at It's easy to say it. Hey, I don't care what people think I'm sure many of us have said that right. I don't care what people think But deep down inside we do care Right. Paul is saying I'm not concerned what people think I'm not concerned about You know, you what people judge me with Because I myself I'm not evaluating myself. I'm not saying I'm a apostle. How can you talk to me like that? No He's saying There's no point of you judging me or if you Uh, or people judge me or if you take me to the court and you judge me All of this doesn't matter because he's leaving all the judgment to the Lord himself Saying say you can judge me Right, the court can judge me You can say Paul, you know, you're mad because later on uh, when he's standing front of Uh, a gripper king a gripper. He says Oh A gripper says the king says Paul your learning has made you gone mad You have you don't know what you're talking You're talking so well so eloquent, but it's your learning is too much Right But what does he say? Hey, I it doesn't matter who I stand front of All that matters is that am I doing the right thing? Or what if people are saying, oh Paul, you're the greatest apostle ever you will You know, you have done this you have done this that also I don't care Because I'm not evaluating myself. Let the Lord say that then that is some encouragement for me If God says, okay, you know, Paul you have done a wonderful work if Jesus says You know Paul because of you the one third of the new testament you wrote you have done a wonderful job Then he will delight in that Because the Lord Jesus is telling him that Does he boast? Yes, he does Paul says no I don't boast in myself, but I boast in the Lord If the Lord boasts about me I boast in the Lord If the Lord says Paul good job Well done good and faithful servant. I boast in that Because the Lord Jesus is saying it Not any person So this is so important, right? That the Lord judges the motives of our heart Right, it's not the significance. It's not the size. It's not the fame. It's not the money. It's not the It's not the things that we have in this world that we have attained It is not how many sermons we have preached. It is not about how Well, we have preached what we eloquent in our speech. It is Why we have preached those sermons What is the motive? Why did you preach? Why did you lead worship because nobody else was there? Okay, there will come times that way But even when you're leading what was in your heart? Right, was it for fame? Was it for self-accualization? Was it for recognition? Was it for human accolades? Was there competition in your heart? Now these things are things that only we will know Right, we're not going to go and tell our friend, you know what I preached a sermon today Now I think I'll become famous You know, we will not tell our friend, but if we have thought it in our heart It's it's a waste the sermon the entire sermon is a waste Right, so why it's not about what we are doing. It's about why we are doing it also So Paul is trying to tell the believers here We are stewards of the mysteries of God Now we are servants of Christ, but why are we doing this for the glory of God? It's not that I can brag about it to one person. It's not about not so that I can be Proud or show to others that I'm better than the other person. No Right Then he goes on the next verse. He says Verse six now these things brethren. I figuratively transferred my Transfer to myself in a polos for your sakes That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written Right that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other Paul is stating here that he that he and apollos and all the Corinthian believers Must get a clear understanding that it is not about us It's not about Paul. Remember Paul sent apollos and wow, sorry Aquila and Priscilla sent apollos to Corinth and he did a wonderful work there. So So now it's not about Paul. It's not about apollos It's not so that we can brag about it to each other We must not take sides. We must not promote one servant of God to the other God has appointed us. God has gifted us. God has Anointed us differently For his sake for the ministry like all of us all people And all ministries Are appointed and anointed and gifted in different ways But everything is from the Lord You know There was a couple of uh, I'll leave the Preacher unnamed but I just came across a couple of sermons here on Uh, youtube and I happened to listen to it. It was sounding good for a nice sermon. So he kept listening to it And the preacher goes on to say that If not for me This church You know will be nothing It is because of the anointing of God on me that You are coming here so when you come here Make sure that you honor the leader And he goes on to say in that Message to pass the preacher the pastor of the church and it really You know, it made me sad to hear this He goes on to say that if only 100 or 150 people are coming for these meetings I will not come from tomorrow because I have other places where people will come in thousands Now what can we get from this? It's not about I felt this is so wrong This is not what ministry is about even if there are three people sitting there As a pastor of that church, we must be willing to teach those three people And preach to them and minister to them Because it's the Lord's Work it is God's kingdom Right, you never know those three people can become great ministers of God touching thousands and millions of people How who are we to judge what's happening? right and this man Just for 15 20 minutes. He just kept shouting at the entire congregation and it's being recorded And he just shared something for 10 minutes and he closed And I thought to myself This is the problem when we think we are too famous This is the problem when we want fame or recognition human accolades. We forget the reason why we are doing ministry Paul is telling the believers listen As servants of God Let us do it in an honorable way right Then he goes on the challenges of apostleship Right before I go ahead any questions Anything you'd like to share And I'm sure many of us may have Seen it and if you haven't seen it you may see it You know once you step into the ministry Uh And you know one thing I always say to people is Now there will be people you know ministers of God very gifted very You know anointed But their lifestyle Is not in line with God, right? They may be walking in pride or working with you know this whole thing of famous and all of that now The best thing to do is Not to judge them But to just leave it Choose somebody listen to something else Right because the more we talk about them think about them. We begin to judge them. What is happening? We're being carnal Right So many people have asked me see this this preacher this pastor is a wonderful pastor, but he doesn't believe in this what to do Listen to them Take what is important and move on right You always have the word of God you can be your own teacher Just ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to train you There is so much available online material commentaries Just learn Right. It's not that you have to listen to preaching preaching is good Right, but learn for yourself right So I want to leave you with that, right? Okay. Let's go to versus seven through 13 Now let's do seven and eight first Was seven For who makes you differ from another? And what do you Have that you did not receive Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you have had not received it? You are already full. You are already rich You have reigned as kings without us And indeed I could wish you did rain That we also might rain with you now. There's a play of words here Right, and that's why he's so brilliant in his writing. He apostle paul Paul rebukes the Corinthian believers For their behavior Right Now he rebukes them because it is pride Which made them come to this conclusion that you know paul is better paulos is better taking sites Right, it is pride. So then he comes up. He challenges them with three questions here Who makes you differ from one another? Right, so paul is saying he's putting this into context. He's saying what makes one group Superior to another group Right, or what makes one minister of god or one ministry superior to the other ministry So he's asking the question How can you say that paul is better and paulos is better? How can you say that? How can you differentiate that by what context are you differentiating that? Right, so he's asking the question to them How how did you make this differentiation that paul is better or paulos is it through our preaching? Is it because paul is you know, I started the church And later I sent a paulos and a paulos Built on it or is it because paulos has a better speaking style Or a paulos looks better and I'm you know, not good-looking. What is it? That made you differ from one another And he goes on to say we are one body Right in many places paul writes right Later on also he writes Can the hand and the legs be? Departed from the body can the hand say to the eyes Don't do this work or can the eyes or the head say to the body don't do this No, we're all joined together in one body Now I can't say oh my eyes are not that important So you take one eye And my hand I don't need two so maybe one is enough but instead of the hand you give me another You know mouth so I'll have two mouths. We can't say that Right What makes you differ from one another he's asking All right. Now. This is a very important lesson for us If we have come to a place of comparing ministries And saying this is better than that We must refrain from it right Now we can compare in the sense by saying hey, you know what this ministry Deals with you know understanding the prophetic. So I really like this But this is this other ministry has got another essence they deal with interpreting dreams and visions So you're comparing them, but you're not comparing as to which is superior which is better You're just saying this has its own essence. This has its own essence. Both are important Both are done for the body of christ Right, so that's what he's trying to say Who on what basis are you bringing this differentiation of paul and apollos So we can ask this to ourselves when we're talking about two different ministries on what basis are we saying this is better and that is not better Or this is superior to that ministry There's no basis because Jesus himself says we have one body Right, then he goes on to the second question What do you have that you did not receive? So This is interesting paul and apollos paul is saying now whatever I have Is what the lord jesus has given me Right everything that I have has been given by god Everything that apollos has has been given by god Okay, so The wisdom that I have or the knowledge of knowing all of judaism I learned before I became a believer. That's also given by god only The mouth that I have to speak the ability to write The ability to understand revelations of god the ability to plant churches to travel to places Pioneer churches all of this has been given to me by god Right and apollos His oratory skills his preaching skills The anointing upon him is given by god So Whatever we have we cannot boast that it's ours, but what did you get? That you have that is your own It's a paul is fitting that to the church. What do you have? Can you say that you have the gifts of the spirit is yours you have you got it on your own? Can you say you have You know received jesus on your own ability because we have preached you received on your own Right, so he's trying to Get the church to think Right saying did you receive anything that you have on your own? Right now as a church you have the gifts of the holy spirit god is blessed to you. You have You know, you're anointed you're you're making an impact and current, but have you received it on your own? Because apollos Peter and me have not received it on our own. We have received it from christ So then he goes on if you did receive it then why boast as if you did not receive it? So he's trying to say now, you know, you've received whatever you have from god So why do we have to boast that it's our own accomplishments? Or we've achieved this on our own selves Right, you see how paul is trying to Make them understand he's opening up questions To reveal the answers to them That is the sign of a good leader Jesus asked a lot of questions Right asking questions opens up the assumptions for the questionnaire itself So he says what did you receive on your own now as a reader i'll say lord nothing Nothing i've received on my own god. You only have given me then why do you act as if you've received it on your own ability So the same way if you've not received on your own ability apollos Peter and me That's paul We three have not received it on our own It is from god. So now who's greater? So He's trying to bring everything he's trying to make them understand Now these three questions are very important for us today God has imparted in our lives imparted to us through ministries and This does not in any way make us superior to any of the other believers and we talked about it last class as well, right? I may not be able to speak in tongues Or if i'm speaking in tongues and somebody else cannot speak in tongues Doesn't mean i'm superior Or if i'm led by the prophetic and somebody else is not prophetic by nature does not mean i'm superior Right. We have different streams different expressions uh Now teaching even in the ministry teaching or preaching everyone have different styles You will never find two people with the same style of preaching Or maybe they have different styles different way of speaking different Uh, you know way of putting up examples Different way of preaching a sermon There are some who speak slow some who speak fast. There are some within different Intonation some have a low voice some have a loud voice Some like to scream Some don't like to scream. They just like to be quiet and just preach But here's the point does not mean that you know the louder we are the more anointed we are no Right We should come out of all these false assumptions false judgments Right Just because we scream hallelujah three four times does not mean we are stronger than the other person who's just preaching Normally in a normal voice Right We must learn to flow together as god's people Right Verse eight Paul is using sarcasm and he rebukes the attitude of the Corinthians Right, let's read verse eight. Right. That's interesting to see that verse eight. He says you are already full You are already rich Right now before that you're saying no Who makes you differ from who are you to make this judgment? Then he's saying you are already full. He's being very sarcastic here Right. You're already full You know, you're already rich But he's trying to tell them I wish you were really reigning then you would then you would really know Who would have reigned inside you? Who is you know, what is this ministry all about? But you are not full. You are not rich because of all this carnality that you all are showing right Okay, verse nine onwards For I think that god has displayed us the apostles Last as men condemned to death for we have been made a spectacle to the world both to angels and to men Verse 10 We are fools for christ's sake But you are wise in christ. We are weak, but you are strong You are distinguished, but we are dishonored right now paul He's outlining the challenges and the hardships And he's trying to tell them now you people are saying paul is better paul is better okay now I'm trying to I'm telling you that ministry is not easy There are challenges that are hardships It was swell. He says and we labor working with our hands being reviled. We bless being persecuted We endure being defamed. We entreat And we have been made the filth of this world You see the things that is happening to them now In a day and age that we are living in we may not go through all these hardships Even though certain places or certain nations may be going through all of these challenges right constant persecution constant ridicule constant mockery of christianity But if we are not face if we are not facing it, we must be you know, we are blessed But if we are facing it paul is bringing out the truth and he's saying see this is what it is Ministry is not just you know, everything goes on well or smoothly and everything will be You know fine. No, we go through challenges. We go through hurdles. We go through persecution People curse us, but we bless them. We are treated like the filth of this world Right now remember In filipi, you know paul and sylas, they were put into prison. They were beaten severely and flogged and put into prison Their hands and legs were chained That doesn't look like a Good picture right beaten severely and flogged severely hands and leg chained And now you all are fighting about you know, who's better paul or paul us So you see how paul is trying to bring things across. He's trying to say hey It's not a nice. It's not always You know a title that we should be pleased about You must also be willing to take on challenges You must also go through the challenges and hardships of serving people It's not just a title that we see now, right? We've come, you know, come to the point where we're not just a title You know car or a private jet you preach and you go back to your luxurious house. That's not what it is We should be willing to face Threats challenges oppositions that come away That's what ministry is all about If there are no threats no oppositions no challenges praise god but be ready for them Be ready to take them on don't run away from the challenges Don't run away from oppositions. What does Jesus say? I will build my church the gates of hell shall not prevail against it When you have that attitude, right? It's like paul is saying i'm going to advance the kingdom boldly Because the gates of hell shall not prevail Right So so i want to just encourage us, you know It's wonderful to have a calling To be a pastor Prophet evangelist. It's wonderful. It's very important that we understand what our calling is But in a day and age that we are living in we must also be willing to sacrifice paul says he sacrificed so much He was shipwrecked. He was beaten. He was flogged Now we may not be shipwrecked beaten flog But what are some of the challenges or sacrifices we must do? Maybe spend additional time and god's word Spend additional time and prayer But others are all enjoying they're going out. They're enjoying their time and why is it that only I have to read the bible And I have to keep praying the whole day That's a sacrifice Right because god has called you for that now That that may look as a challenge, but if you enjoy doing it, it's wonderful I know it's going to be a sacrifice. You know waking up early in the morning praying Everyone lord everyone are sleeping till nine o'clock. Why is it that I have to get up early to sacrifice? Right if you're choosing ministry You have to take be willing to sacrifice. It's not only the good things Right, there's there's a season of teaching and training and sacrifice that is involved Be willing to take it up, right? Then the apostle paul has you know, maybe he felt Oh, I'm being too harsh to them. Let me Change my tone and he goes on And he changes his tone Right because remember he he was sarcastic. He said you are full Maybe he would have felt I should not be talking this way And verse 14 he says I do not write these things to shame you But as my beloved children, I warn you what a heart of a spiritual father He said I I don't write this to shame you. I don't want you to feel ashamed when you're hearing this being read to you but I'm writing so that You understand and What is ministry all about? You are my beloved children Right for though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ yet you do not have many fathers For in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you to the gospel therefore. I urge you imitate me Right now paul is expressing his heart. He's referring to the children to the believers in quarent as beloved children What happened in verse three? saying you're carnal carnal people you're You know, you're living by the flesh And here he's saying you're my beloved children You see how wonderfully paul is able to You know, just bring correction And love them the same way. He's saying there are many people who will teach you instruct you But I am the one Who have brought you into christ as a father. I'm telling you what is right What is good for the ministry? What is good for your life? Because god used them God used paul to bring them to the faith right and And so he uses this word instructor A tutor or school master And we'll skip the greek words there but What is a spiritual father quickly? We look at this a spiritual father or a spiritual mother now You know, I'm sure all of us may may have used this right. He is my spiritual father. He is my spiritual mother Now what is the characteristic of a spiritual father or a mother? All right, let's look at it quickly A spiritual father of mother is one who not only births people into the kingdom But takes them from a place of immaturity to maturity All right, so paul is saying You came from the gospel through my ministry now. I'm not just okay. Not like I planted the church. Apollos is there now It's a paul who's headache. No I have to take you as a father. I have to take you from this place of immaturity to maturity to understand to correct them and help them to move into a place of maturity And that should be the heart of a father or a heart of a mother each one of us Is to help people from a place of immaturity to maturity to A spiritual father or a mother recognizes And allows sons and daughters to receive instruction nurture training and equipping right now The moment a spiritual father or mother demands their sons and daughters Listen to no one except them It is a big danger right now see we must Have we must be able to draw a line A spiritual father and a mother can tell us Teach us instruct us build us now for example You know, this has happened many times when you know, there's this one lady who was so close to the pastor Uh, and you know, whatever like a spiritual father She always looked at this pastor, but this pastor once said To her you sell your property and give that to the church. We will build a church and god will bless you Now what she did was she said, okay, and she took that property. She sold it Give the entire amount to the church They built the church Many years later the children came and said where's that property? Let's uh, you know, probably build a house on it and let's go live And she says no, I sold it and I gave it to the church and the children were in shock. They were in They were upset. They were shocked Why did you do this? No, the pastor told me to remember that When a person is controlling The other person, you know, uh and trying to behave like a father or the mother but is controlling He is not a father or mother. It becomes a cult It's a red flag. It's danger. It's you got to run away from it Make things right don't stay in that kind of a relationship Right because there are many many situations where You know, this spiritual father mother said, you know, you have to get married to this person Only then your life will be blessed and they got them married and their life is just miserable And then the spiritual father or the mother says you all have to work it out Well, I'm not praying y'all are not doing this That's wrong, right They must not be controlling our lives So maybe some of us Could be in this place prayerfully Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and come out of it Right a spiritual father and mother must only Set an example To their children to imitate Christ Right They were to raise their sons and daughters By equipping them in the god's word teaching them and the goal Is to bring spiritual maturity and not for you know, these earthly matters Right, so we must be very careful this whole aspect of spiritual father and mother is Is a challenge and we must be very careful, right in a day and age that we are living in careful, right? They may be the most anointed person That's why one of the things we do in apc is You know, we we encourage people They come to us for questions. We give them the option Right We give them an option. We help them. We give them the option. You see, this is something that you can do Right and we have conferences. We have school of ministries. We have things that can happen. That's why we have, you know, You know Professionals workshop how to save how to invest now. We don't tell them you have to do it like this You have to do it in the stock market. You have to know We give the option to them But we tell them hey investment is important invest invest for your future How you do it? It's up to you Right, so we don't force people The spiritual father and mother Knows how to bring correction in a loving way And how to deal with people with gentleness and kindness All right, so paul here is is just expressing perfectly the attitude of a Spiritual father and mother finally verse 20 For the kingdom of god Is not in word But in power wonderful Greek word for greek for the For word is logos, which means it's not an idea the kingdom of god is not an idea or a speech It is power which means dynamics. It is miraculous strength and power Right, so we must Live by this right the kingdom of god is not in word the greek word logos, which means it's not an idea It's not just speaking out of our own head, but it is the power of god The power of the holy the strength of god the miraculous power The dynamist dynamite power of god touching and blessing lives So we don't just you know Paul is saying i'm not just communicating words here but And good teachings, but we are transforming lives Lives that will bless the kingdom of god right All right, so we've completed two chapters. That's good Yeah, anybody have any thoughts any questions? Like I hope each one is tracking along and most importantly I I truly hope that each of you are going to apply this In your life and in your ministries, right? Great, so let's just quickly close in prayer. Let's pray father. We want to thank you for this Beautiful time lord. Thank you for your word and teaching us. I pray god that you'll bless us Bless us bless the students lord even as they continue to learn may your grace and mercy be upon them Lord may they may you anoint them for your glory and your power lord Thank you father. We give you all the praise and glory in jesus's name. We pray Amen Amen, thank you everyone. Oh have a great week ahead. I'll see you next week. God bless Thank you. Bye. Thank you