Theological term
Steward
2 sermons · All terms
Stewards of the Mystery
1 Corinthians 4:1–5 presents ministers of Christ not as celebrities or gurus but as servants and stewards entrusted with the mystery of the gospel — a role demanding faithfulness, not worldly success. Against the backdrop of the factionalism at Corinth, where worldly wisdom had infiltrated the church's evaluation of apostles, Paul asserts that the only judge competent to assess a steward's motives is the Lord himself. The sermon traces three movements: the nature of the steward's calling, the irrelevance of human verdict, and the eschatological praise that awaits the faithful at Christ's return.
The Instruction on Marriage
Titus 1:1–9 provides Paul's instructions to Titus for establishing gospel order on the island of Crete, centering on the appointment of qualified elders. The sermon works through the twofold purpose of Titus's ministry — setting things in order and appointing elders in every city — before examining the elder's domestic faithfulness (blamelessness, sexual fidelity, faithful children) and personal faithfulness (five vices to avoid, six virtues to exemplify). The exposition closes with the elder's indispensable giftedness: holding fast sound doctrine so as to both exhort the people of God and silence those who contradict. The whole is applied to the congregation as a call to pray for qualified men, to know the qualifications, and to insist that the church install only those who demonstrably meet them.