Apostolic Authority; Father and Power

In my reading this morning I was reminded again of why we are here on earth… Paul is talking to the Corinth Church and is establishing who they are and who they should not be; one of my life passages is 1Cor 4:15-16
“Even though you have ten thousand guardians, (teachers), 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."

In other words; not very many men know how to be daddy’s to a generation, but I do, so watch my life, do what I do, and you will be Godly!

The second part of the same chapter is verse 20: “
For the
kingdom
of
God
is not a matter of talk, but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?”

This thing called the gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about cute sermons, or how to grow a church, or even how big the offering was last Sunday; it’s about a demonstration of power! What miracles are you walking in, who among you is prophesying, raising the dead, or as my buddy pastor Rick would say, who among you is “Bringing the Wood”!
  I’m your father, not your friend… I would rather come to you and be gentle, but if we need to get the bull whip out, let’s go, it’s your choice!

Paul was teaching the church to walk as Fathers, with authority, love and power… we have to teach a generation that they are loved by fathers that will sacrifice their own lives, pulpits, titles, money and impart a gospel of power through gentleness and discipline. We are their fathers before we are their friends.