Introduction

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue with 1 Corinthians chapter 4. These two books, 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, are crucial. If you pay close attention, you'll notice my linguistic style closely resembles that of the Apostle Paul, including my pastoral approach. When reading the Bible, it's important to grasp the central theme. I've been pondering what the core theme of this chapter should be. During our last Bible study, I thought it might be the heart of a father or mother, but I later realized that wasn't quite it either. Grasping the theme means being able to connect all the content of the chapter. The author has a central theme in mind and uses paragraphs to clearly describe it. The author simply didn't list several key points separately, which creates some challenges for us, but it also trains us to read and write articles in this way. So, the theme that ties together the content of this chapter is: I urge you to imitate me, Paul. It might sound presumptuous for Paul to say that, but this entire chapter goes through point by point what aspects of him we should imitate.

Therefore I urge you to imitate me. (1 Corinthians 4:16)

I want to give you a suggestion: when you read an article, you must find the central theme. If you don't, you won't understand what it's about at all. This chapter feels like it grabs at things here and there. You end up in a fog, not knowing what the Apostle Paul is trying to say. But if you find the theme, all the content connects. Today, I'll give you a demonstration of how to connect it all together. Let's look at what the Apostle Paul wants us to imitate. Everything before verse 16 explains what we should imitate.

I. Be Faithful Stewards

Those of us who serve God must know that we must be faithful stewards before God. Some pastors want to build their own kingdoms, pursuing how many members they have, as if having a large congregation is impressive. But that doesn't seem to be what God wants. In fact, Jesus has shown us exactly what God wants. Speaking of imitation, we must first talk about inheritance. If you carefully study Chinese Mingding Destiny, you'll know that imitation and inheritance are two very crucial concepts. Frequently ask ourselves if what we are doing is what Jesus did, what Paul did. If not, whom are you imitating? If you are imitating the devil, you're doomed. So, Paul has set a very good example for us in all aspects.

To be faithful stewards, we are not the master; our God is the master. The previous chapter discussed how you should be careful how you build God's temple on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Paul is someone who builds the temple; that's the service and responsibility that God gave him. He's not the master of the temple, just someone who builds it. God works with him to build the body of Jesus Christ. The entire New Testament talks about building a glorious church, building a victorious church. Paul clearly understood that this was arranged for him by God. If he doesn't do it, woe to him. If he doesn't build carefully, woe to him as well.

Why do so many tragedies happen to pastors in this generation? Because they have not been faithful stewards. As for what their goals are, we don't know; there's no biblical basis to be found. Perhaps someone will bring up that something I do also has no biblical basis. My research results may not always be clear, but I often remind myself not to mess around recklessly. I don't want God to say I was a wicked, lazy servant when I stand before Him, to tell me to go away, that God doesn't know me. What is it all for if you serve God your whole life and God doesn't know you? I actually try very hard to imitate the Apostle Paul and Jesus. If you don't do it like Jesus, and your face looks like a yin-yang face after you're done, and you're left with yin-yang eyes, then you have only yourself to blame.

Being a faithful steward is very important, which means strictly following what God has revealed to build God's church, and then being a steward of God's mysteries. What are God's mysteries? The mysteries are building God's glorious church. So, everyone must know that I am actually a harder-working pastor than many. If I don't do the work God gives me well, woe to me. Even then, I may not be able to do it right. There are many things inside us; the most deadly is the flesh. To be of the flesh is to be at enmity with God. If a person lives with a worldly perspective, what do you think they will become? Too many disasters. The reason people attract demons is because they are of the flesh, catering to human desires.

Some time ago, someone left a message on YouTube saying thank God, they finally found a place with such good resources. He especially liked listening to my Bible studies and sermons. A few days ago, he left a message on YouTube saying that he had a stomach ache, and he prayed as I taught him, commanding his stomach to be released and the demon of stomach pain to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Then he said that he farted a few times, and his stomach relaxed.

If a person is faithful in small things, then they will be faithful in big things. We must build God's church in a down-to-earth way. This is what we mean by imitation and inheritance. Inheritance is completely imitating Jesus, which is faithfulness. Completely imitating the Apostle Paul because the Apostle Paul does the best job of imitating Jesus. This is what the first point is about: being a faithful steward. Building the church must be done according to God's revelation, imitating Jesus, imitating Paul.

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

II. Being Judged Is a Very Small Matter

To imitate Jesus and Paul, if you consider being judged by others a big deal, you will definitely discern good and evil. Like me, I often become someone else's hotpot dish. As soon as the gathering ends, several people find a hotpot restaurant, and when they start the hotpot, they're still dipping beef and mutton, but as they dip, they use me as the ingredient to cook. If I were to discern good and evil, wouldn't I start scolding people and feel uncomfortable? Some people wonder how I know they talk about me behind my back; that's because someone snitched. Not only that, but they also think they've reported something very important to me. However, in my opinion, that is a very small matter. Being judged is a very small matter because those of us who serve God are not immortals. We don't have hair on our faces, horns on our heads, or wings on our backs. We look unremarkable, our speech is vulgar, and what we do is still commendable. Even though I am judged by others, what does Paul say in the scripture?

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. (1 Corinthians 4:3)

Being judged by others is not important. Comparing to Paul being a steward of God's mysteries, other things are not important. It's normal for others to gossip and say Paul is accumulating wealth. Think about it, it's also normal for them to think I'm accumulating wealth. How would they know that I really don't need the money? Later, I simply said don't give offerings if you don't understand the meaning of giving offerings because you're not qualified. People must understand why they're giving offerings. If you don't understand it, you're just struggling for nothing, and after you give your offering, you're still conflicted. God curses you if you don't understand the meaning of your offering after you've given it. You know I don't really care about your offerings, and it still hurts. What's the point? It's very common for pastors to be judged by others. Being judged can be said to be commonplace for me. Some people are talking in front and don't know I'm standing behind them. When they turn around and see me, they get scared, but those are all trivial things.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:4)

If you always think you're doing the right thing, but you're hung up on the fact that others just don't understand, it's useless. I started to understand this when I embarked on this path of ascent, after reading Rick Joyner's The Final Quest. I used to fight battles on the plains, with blood flowing all over the ground. I always got beaten black and blue, and I always lost. At that time, I discovered that it was very painful to care too much about other people's judgment. What I want to say is, those who serve God must imitate the Apostle Paul. Being judged is a very small matter.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

If you imitate Paul, you will receive praise from God, and many things will be revealed. My thoughts and intentions are not only transparent before God, but also before demons. Even the dogs on the roadside know. If you don't believe me, try it. It's impossible not to know. The question is, what are people after? People live and live, and then they lose their goals. The Apostle Paul doesn't care about these things. He's talking about this with the Corinthians because how those people were arranging Paul was passed on to Paul. They told Paul that those people said he loved money and accumulated wealth, but Paul never took a single needle or thread from them. He not only supported himself with his own hands, but also supported his co-workers. How amazing is Paul because his goal is very clear.

I'll repeat it again. People must have clear goals in life. Once you have a goal, you won't lose your footing, and then your strategy will be clear. Don't think building God's glorious church is so simple; it requires many clear strategies. This is what it means to have clear goals, clear strategies, and the right methods. If you have a goal, you won't care about things that are not at all related to that goal. It's normal for people to glare at you, spit at you, and say things to you. Didn't our Lord Jesus experience these things too? You must remember the three sentences I just said: clear goals, clear strategies, and the right methods! If someone thinks what I said is good for their business, then I also think it's good, but it's best to use it to build God's glorious church. If a person makes building God's glorious church their life goal, that's called Mingding Destiny , and God will surely be with you, which is extremely good!

Jesus was appointed to reveal the secrets of people's hearts. The way to reveal them is very simple and straightforward. Our thoughts and intentions are revealed very clearly and understandably by what we do. If a person is always unlucky, you don't even have to think about it; it's because their thoughts and intentions are dirty. If you see that a person has many diseases, over and over again, it's also because their thoughts and intentions are dirty. So, everything a person encounters in life is a reflection of their thoughts and intentions. If you care about many things, such as saving face, then you will definitely be restricted, and inviting demons will cause you to get all kinds of diseases. Or you're in pain because you're afraid others will take advantage of you. If you gain an unfair advantage and you're not happy, but you're upset when you don't gain an unfair advantage, that's a person who is in pain. Their interpersonal relationships in the family and society can't be good, but that's how people live.

III. Do Not Be Arrogant

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be arrogant, exalting one person over another. (1 Corinthians 4:6)

If people think this person is more powerful and that person is worse, that means they think they can be a judge. But even with your perspective, you can't judge anything. To say other pastors preach well but not being able to understand it oneself, to what extent is that arrogance? So, we are all just stewards; we can't be judges. What we can do is to clearly listen to God's words, distinguishing between what God said and what God didn't say. Starting today, we will gradually be trained, and when we go out and see or hear things, we will know if Jesus has said it. Many people treat corporate management as God's word, and they talk about it with authority. You can't build a church with corporate management because that's human wisdom. If people use wood, hay, or straw to build the church, there will be a fire, and nothing will be left after the fire burns everything away. To be saved, you have to be pulled out of the fire. If you're not pulled out, you'll be burned to ashes.

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

This is what I mean when I say you haven't invented anything. None of the words in this world were invented by you. If they were, then it must be a misspelling. Since you haven't invented anything, and you've learned everything, then what is there to be arrogant about?

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! (1 Corinthians 4:8)

Some people learn a little corporate management and gain some human wisdom, and then they think they're great. Recently, I've been studying this matter of being ability-based more thoroughly. All those who advocate being ability-based, many of them are about to be liberated, and of course, many are also being taken away by this kind of demon. If you're an ability-based person, you're either about to be liberated or you're about to get the boot. Don't be arrogant. Some people are ability-based, and when they don't do well, they are dejected and upset, and they want me to pray for them. They're upset because they're hung up on the fact that they can't do things well. Competition, comparison, and jealousy all swarm in because of the pursuit of arrogance.

Some pastors are upset because they always want to build their small kingdoms, constantly shaping themselves and building themselves into celebrity pastors, which are famous pastors. The wisdom within me is not to become a celebrity pastor; I just focus on building God's church and being a faithful steward. As for whether I am judged, whether my ability is great or small, those are all trivial matters. I also don't want to be arrogant. My most famous saying is asking myself if I'm doing right. What does it look like after I do it right? I feel like I often don't do it right, so later I do it right. I don't pursue these things like face, so I'm not worried when I go outside the church, because I haven't shaped any brand image.

If you want to know God, then read the Bible well, read God's word. I am just a steward of God's mysteries, building God's church, just like you. Don't be arrogant, and don't gossip. Some people say I always criticize other pastors, but I'm actually just using them as examples. There really are some people who want to build themselves into celebrity pastors, and there really are some people who are messing around there. God will not be with such people, so everyone must be careful.

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. (1 Corinthians 4:9)

We are placed at the end to serve everyone; that is our Mingding Destiny. So, I am training pastors and co-workers to imitate and inherit. If you see our pastors and co-workers doing things very much like me, that's all learned from me. If they are very powerful and willing to directly imitate Jesus and Paul, that's a good thing. I am also willing to imitate, but perhaps my imitation is not as good as theirs. But if they can't imitate Jesus and Paul because they can't see or touch them, then they should imitate me. Some people think I sound very presumptuous, but even though I sound like that, I definitely don't want everyone to imitate my arrogance, but to imitate my lack of arrogance, because everything we have is received.

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## IV. Considered Foolish for Christ's Sake

> We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:10-13)

To be considered foolish for Christ's sake. How many of us are willing to take a loss? Because to emulate Jesus and Paul, one must emulate a willingness to take a loss. Think about what constitutes cleverness in this world. If a very clever person becomes an official, he may be a good official, but more likely, he will be a corrupt one. Otherwise, the stream of corrupt officials would not be endless, impossible to eradicate. Many clever people in this world think it's okay to be a bit corrupt, that money is better off in their hands than in others'. This is the world's idea of cleverness.

Whether big or small, many businessmen are unscrupulous. Some, who started as bricklayers and plasterers, decide that it's better to become middlemen, taking on jobs and hiring others to do the bricklaying and plastering, earning a commission. The aim of a businessman is to make money, and if a pastor does not make money, businessmen think he is foolish. In Jesus Christ, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to build God's glorious church is, in the eyes of the world, a very foolish thing. Many people think that the Apostle Paul was foolish not to make money, and even teach him how to make money. Money may be made, but what about the man? We build God's church to win people like catching fish, not to get money. Fish are money, and money is fish. If we put as much effort and heart into winning people as we do into getting money, imagine how pleased God would be with us.

For Christ's sake, we seek a crown of glory in heaven, so it doesn't matter if we are hungry and thirsty on earth, cursed, glared at, work with our own hands, and endure hardship. Fortunately, I like to work; if I were lazy, I would be living a very painful life. Brothers and sisters, I urge you, by the mercy of God, to establish within ourselves a logical framework and corresponding values for building God's glorious church, and not to build worldly values. If you build worldly values, you may seem clever in the eyes of the world, but you are foolish in God's eyes. We may seem foolish to the world, but in God's eyes, we are faithful stewards.

So today, brothers and sisters, we must begin to readjust and think about what we are really earning. Don't get so busy that you lose God's blessings. Recently, someone said he was busy seeing clients, indicating that he had chosen work over God. I hesitated whether to remind him. The outcome of a person's life is the result of his logical system. How many people truly devote themselves to shepherding? If you truly emulate Paul in shepherding, with such a goal and mindset, the first thing you would put down is your business or job, and grasp the responsibility that God has given us. This may sound very conflicting to our internal value system, but which logical system is useful? We cannot love both money and God. If we love God, we cannot love money.

## V. A Father's and Mother’s Heart

> I am writing this not to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. (1 Corinthians 4:14-16)

These words are very real. Building God's glorious church, shepherding God's flock—these words still echo in our ears. These were the words that Jesus Christ spoke by the Sea of Galilee, while sharing a meal of fish with His disciples after His resurrection from the dead.

> When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Jesus repeatedly spoke of shepherding and feeding His lambs three times, but Peter, who heard it with his own ears, seemed to let it go in one ear and out the other. But Paul, who had never met Jesus, transcended that generation and saw Jesus with his own eyes and heard Jesus's instructions with his own ears. I also transcended this generation and heard Jesus's instructions, which is to shepherd God's flock with a father's and mother's heart. Even if you have ten thousand guardians, you do not have many fathers. Isn't having a father's and mother's heart God's will?

> Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15)

If the goal of building a glorious church shifts to building up a famous pastor, it would be meaningless. Building a glorious church and shepherding God's flock is the achievement that Jesus asks of us. If we want to bring our achievements before God, it depends on whether we are truly faithful stewards, feeding and shepherding God's flock well. The words feeding and shepherding stimulate me greatly. Even today, I feel that we have not done enough. This is my heartfelt opinion, because there are truly too many problems to solve: how to help people grow, how to shepherd them, how to bring them before God, and how to make them grow into the image of Jesus Christ.

People in this generation like to be teachers, but not fathers and mothers, because parents want their children to grow, which inevitably leads to conflict. If I want you to grow, but you don't want to, I will say a few words that may not sound pleasant. So, I must tell everyone that even if you have ten thousand instructors, you do not have many fathers. In Chinese Mingding Destiny, all pastors must remember this: shepherd God's flock with the heart of a father and mother, and God will be with you, and you will surely work with God.

## VI. The Kingdom of God Is Not a Matter of Talk, but of Power

To be judged as a faithful steward is a trivial matter. Do not be conceited, be considered foolish for Jesus Christ's sake, and serve with a father's and mother's heart. God is sure to be with you, and God's power will be manifested in you. When you bear the death of Jesus Christ on your body, the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead shall be manifested, and the kingdom of God is in power. If you were to ask who is the best speaker in this era, some might say it is I, this pastor. But I think I can't out-talk a con man. Con men are the best speakers, whereas the words spoken from a father's and mother's heart are difficult to hear. But if you are a faithful steward before God, building God's glorious church according to God's word, you will surely see God's power manifested through you.

Boasting and praising yourself are useless; it is useful only when God testifies for you. God's presence with you is obvious. Wherever you go, you carry God's glorious halo. Some people only rush to the Corinthian church to say that they are famous pastors. Therefore, everyone must know not to look at what people say, but at what they do, because con men are the best speakers. If you see that a person's actions are similar to Jesus's actions, and they can do what Jesus did, then God is with them. See how clearly Paul lays this out! Let us begin to emulate Paul today, and God's presence will surely be revealed in you.

In recent years, my heart has often been in pain. Once, a brother left the church after getting married because being with me was affecting his pursuit of a comfortable life. When he left, I asked this brother about his mother's cancer and his grandmother. He said to leave them with us, outsourcing everything to me. In less than two years, the old lady in her eighties or nineties was in terrible pain and asked her family to call me. After learning more, I found out that she had been in pain for two years, and none of her grandson or granddaughter cared about her, let alone took her to pray. If no one cares, or if they don't have the ability to care, and can't even drive out a small demon, aren't they just useless?

Either he has the ability but doesn't want to care, or he doesn't have the ability to care. Either way is abhorrent. Therefore, the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. I prayed for her and she got better, but then no one cared for her again. Such a person doesn't care about his mother or grandmother, only about his own little life, and whether he can get the old people's money into his own pocket.

> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

> But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing; and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. (1 Corinthians 4:19)

You have to do it for others to see. Those who cannot do it will only talk grandly and think they are amazing. Therefore, the people of the Corinthian church, after listening to what these grand talkers said, deviated from what Paul taught. When the book of 1 Corinthians was written, they were still carnal people and only liked carnal things. Regarding the consideration of human concerns, these are the words that Jesus said to Peter.

> Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23)

Those who are considerate of human concerns live worldly lives; how can they have God's power? God's presence is the proof, because the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. This is the result after we emulate. If you emulate the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ in this way, you will certainly see God's power in you.

## VII. The Art of Shepherding

You not only need to emulate, but also need to explain clearly what you emulate.

> What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21)

Paul's art of shepherding is quite heavy.

> Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! (1 Corinthians 4:8)

After reigning, many things also happened. They deviated from God's word and commands, and things were bound to happen. Paul said he wished they would really reign, but what made them different from others? These words must be firm. Brothers and sisters must begin to understand that Paul's words sound a bit sour? But this is a good kind of sourness. Some people misinterpret it after reading it and even think it is praising them. But if the true meaning of these words is understood, people may change. So, you can't be a nice person; nice people can't be leaders, and you can't do the work of shepherding.

Parents among us must know how to speak when educating their children. The words you say must be powerful. In the future, we will teach everyone these skills little by little through many practical cases. If we are strong inside, there is nothing we can't say. Just like Paul said, does he need to come to them with a whip? It has to be that fierce. The result of emulation is that God is with you, God's power is manifested in you, and you will be strengthened by God from within, because you have not sought anyone's benefit. You must be strong. Speak with the heart of a father and mother, and say words of a father and mother, not polite words.

I have found that many parents have problems with disciplining their children. One of our pastors said he doesn't believe that he can't lead his children to pray and study the Bible. If it doesn't work, it certainly means there is no requirement. You are the one who earns money for the family, the pillar of the family, the one with authority in the family. The children rely on you, the parents, to be raised, so you certainly have the right to demand them. Many of us act as instructors instead of fathers and mothers, but even more abominable is when those who are instructors don't even do that and outsource the instructor's responsibility to the school, resulting in the children getting worse and worse. Why have we become like this? We must study Paul's art of speaking well, which is to be ruthless!

I have said harsh words to many people many times. I am not afraid of anything; the sky won't fall because it's not me holding it up. I said that if you are willing to follow me to build God's glorious church, then follow me well. If you are not willing to follow me to build God's glorious church, then go as far as you want; I bless you. I will definitely not curse you behind your back, but if you curse yourself, it has nothing to do with me. Why are we weak today, as if we always owe people something? Just because we often think we are indebted, it doesn't mean we really owe them. Because we don't seek anything from anyone, nothing will collapse. What am I afraid of? This is Paul's skill of speaking.

Some parents look like grandsons at home, and the children act like fathers; the mothers act like third-generation grandsons, and the children act like masters. This is all messed up, and demons are sure to thrive in this place. Listen to my advice: take building God's glorious church as our Mingding Destiny. This is my life. Anything can be discussed except this matter. We did not come into this world to please someone. We finally came into this world to please our God. Our God is our provider for old age and death, our reliance whether we are young, middle-aged, or old, until I see God's face.

A person doesn't need many things in life, nor such a large burden. Don't forget what God has entrusted you to manage. I will emulate Paul's skill of speaking heavy words. Today, many people are walking on Jeroboam's path? When Jeroboam looked at the management of the nation of Israel, he only thought about managing the nation of Israel, resulting in him offending God. You can offend anyone in this world, but you cannot offend God. That's the kind of person I am. I dare to offend anyone, but I dare not offend my God. As a result, God has protected me until today, and nothing has happened, because we only want to give, not seek anything from others. We are not controlled by anything, and we don't need to fear or worry about anything. So, brothers and sisters, be strong. This world and its affairs will pass away, but only God's word will last forever, Amen! Our sharing for today ends here. Remember that emulation and inheritance is a core value of Chinese Mingding Destiny.