6/16/24 - Spiritual Fathers - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Happy Father's Day Dads!

This Sunday, we celebrate the profound privilege and responsibility of being a father. For many, their fathers served as admirable examples, while others may have had different experiences. In today's world, there's often confusion about what it truly means to be a good dad. However, God’s wisdom awaits us in the Bible. This Sunday, we will explore how the apostle Paul considered himself a spiritual father to the believers in the Corinthian church. Paul played a crucial role in their journey to Christ, as he was the one who brought the gospel to them. Unfortunately, a few years later some of them were struggling in their faith. Like a devoted father, Paul's primary concern was their spiritual well-being, and he spoke to them with genuine care and love:

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:15

In this verse, the Greek word for "guide" refers to a paid servant who looked after children. These guides were involved in the children's lives for personal gain. Paul contrasts these guides with himself, emphasizing that while there are many who will deliver a message with selfish motives, he, as their spirutal father, acted selflessly. His guidance was rooted in genuine love and concern, making him trustworthy.

Paul's tool for guiding the Corinthians was the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a powerful reminder that we should be bringing that same gospel into the lives of those around us. Fathers, our primary focus should be on Jesus, always aiming to point our children to Him. It's easy to fall into the trap of moralism, where we focus on our children's behavior and want them to simply "act right." However, our goal should be to consistently direct them towards Christ, fostering a deep, genuine relationship with Him and consistently modeling this ourselves.