Administrative Work
1 Cor. 16:3-12

Sermon Outline From the Evening Service - 26 March 2000

I. Relations with "clients" (3-8)

A. Visiting

1. Paul planned an "inspection tour" of various churches "to see how they do" (Acts 15:36).
2. Notice the "conditional" wording -- if the Lord will. Jas. 4:13-17
3. Plans sometimes fall apart. Plan A (1 Cor. 16); Plan B (2 Cor. 1); Plan C (2 Cor. 2). 2 Cor. written a year later; Paul still had not been there!

a. The important thing is not whether our plans work out, but whether we allow God to work out His plans.
b. The fact that sometimes our plans fail is not meant to teach us to quit planning. Paul still planned.

B. Encouraging independence

1. It was up to the local church to choose those with whom they would send their offering.
2. Paul's standard was "providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Cor 8:21)

C. Ordering (v. 1) -- Though these were independent churches, this was apostolic time. There may be
individual expression, but there needed to be that distinctiveness which tied the churches together.

II. Working with "Personnel" (10-12)

A. Timothy

1. Timothy was called of God and should be treated as such.
2. Timothy was to be there "without fear." Treat with respect. Don't find fault...find things to praise.

B. Apollos -- In encouraging Apollos to go, Paul 1) shows that he has no envy or sense of competition with
Apollos; 2) shows that there is a partnership of concern over the development of the Corinthian church; 3)
shows confidence that Apollos wouldn't promote the proposed divisions that were in the church.

C. Mentoring -- Paul often had a young "Timothy" with him.

III. Assessing opportunities (4, 9)

A. It seems that obstacles often accompany opportunities. An open door and many adversaries are both
good reasons to stay longer!

B. Is it an opportunity that I should get involved in? avoid 2 extremes:

1. making a quick decision and not taking it to the Lord
2. going too slow and missing the opportunity altogether!

If your heart is right before the Lord, He will "direct your paths."