WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.759 We have been in a series this spring in the book of 2 Corinthians that we've been calling 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:15.640 Power in Weakness. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:23.660 And we have seen so far how the invitation to follow Jesus is really an invitation to 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:24.719 a life of paradox. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:32.299 And that's because God's greatest display of power, his greatest display of victory, 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:40.519 his greatest display of glory came in something that looked like suffering and loss and weakness 00:00:40.519 --> 00:00:47.420 through somebody who was mocked and rejected and betrayed and crucified like a common criminal. 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:54.239 And so what that shows us is that true spiritual power is often going to look like weakness 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:56.560 in the eyes of the world. 00:00:57.400 --> 00:01:02.100 And so we've seen how this paradox of power and weakness applies to a number of things. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:04.359 We've seen how it applies to suffering. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:08.320 We've seen how it applies to how we think about glory. 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:14.340 We've seen how it applies to how we grow in the Christian life, the nature of the new covenant, 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:16.280 the nature of ministry in the church. 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:24.120 And this morning, we're going to look at how this paradox of power and weakness applies to leadership. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:26.859 It applies to leadership. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:33.579 Here in 2 Corinthians 6, Paul shows us what being an authentic leader looks like. 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:39.979 What being an authentic leader looks like, especially in the face of criticism. 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:46.439 Over the past year and a half, before I was ordained, I went through a process called the 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:47.759 ordination discernment process. 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:50.120 And it's a long process for good reason. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:54.760 And you kind of went through several rounds of interviews with different groups of people. 00:01:55.560 --> 00:02:00.820 And in one of those first interviews, I was asked this question. 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:04.719 So Jeff, how do you respond to criticism? 00:02:05.800 --> 00:02:07.300 It was a pretty direct question. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:14.259 And I responded by saying, well, do you want me to say how I should respond or how I actually respond? 00:02:14.739 --> 00:02:17.739 And the person said, no, we want to know how you actually respond. 00:02:18.459 --> 00:02:20.239 And so I said, I was pretty honest. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:24.179 And I was like, well, you know, honestly, I can tend to get pretty defensive. 00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:29.000 I can tend to think about all the reasons why this person's wrong. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.079 And maybe I don't do that outwardly. 00:02:31.299 --> 00:02:32.399 Maybe I don't say any of that. 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:33.500 But I think it in my heart. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:44.180 I actually sometimes will have these like imaginary debates between myself and this person where I clearly and convincingly show them why they're wrong. 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.099 Hopefully I'm not the only one. 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:53.360 But I was beginning to explain how I responded to criticism and just being honest about that. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:54.680 How about you? 00:02:54.680 --> 00:03:03.260 When you are criticized in the workplace or at home or among your friend group, how do you respond? 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:05.219 How do you respond to criticism? 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:14.240 As we look at how Paul responded here in 2 Corinthians 6, I think it's helpful to just reveal a little bit of the background of this letter. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:18.659 He had planted the church in Acts chapter 18 in Corinth. 00:03:19.260 --> 00:03:28.780 And while he was away continuing his ministry elsewhere, some people started to call his ministry and his leadership into question. 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:33.939 They started to critique the validity and the legitimacy of his leadership. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:40.980 They critiqued him for not being the impressive, successful leader that they thought he would be or that they wanted him to be. 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:45.399 He was not the great public speaker that they hoped he would be. 00:03:45.899 --> 00:03:49.259 He wasn't the successful minister. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:51.000 He suffered a lot. 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:53.199 He was imprisoned multiple times. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:53.899 He was beaten. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:57.699 He had a lot of things in his life that looked like weakness. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:05.839 And so as a result, a lot of people started to criticize Paul and even follow other false apostles. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:16.000 And so a couple of the reasons why Paul writes 2 Corinthians are, one, he's trying to defend his authenticity as an apostle. 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:17.000 But not just that. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:20.280 He wants to restore his relationship with them. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:25.780 His goal isn't just to correct them or persuade them or lay down the law. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:28.120 It's to win them. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:29.759 He wants to win them. 00:04:29.840 --> 00:04:32.420 He wants to restore his relationship with them. 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:40.439 And in doing so, throughout the letter, but particularly in this passage, he shows us what being an authentic leader looks like. 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:49.220 And he shows us that authentic leadership is this unique combination of authority and vulnerability. 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:51.700 Authority and vulnerability. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:55.200 And so we're going to look first at how Paul views his authority. 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:59.220 And then we're going to look at how Paul expresses vulnerability. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:01.180 But before we do that, let's pray. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:05.100 Father in heaven, this is your word. 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:07.060 We believe it's absolutely true. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.480 And Lord, I pray that you would illumine our minds and hearts. 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:20.240 God, would you teach us to know you as you want us to know you, to obey you as you want us to obey you, and to worship you as you want us to worship you. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:22.439 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:23.300 Amen. 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:32.720 So first of all, we're going to look at what authentic leadership looks like by looking at how Paul views his own authority. 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:45.340 So last week in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, Pastor Tommy talked about how vertical reconciliation with God leads to horizontal reconciliation in the world. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:54.440 That as God reconciles us to himself by giving us his righteousness, he then sends us out to be agents of reconciliation in the world. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:06:09.040 And at the end of chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6, he transitions by turning this theological reality of reconciliation into a personal invitation between him and the Corinthians. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:14.240 In this section, he makes a personal and a direct appeal to them. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:19.400 And this is the only time in the whole letter where he directly refers to them as Corinthians. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:21.680 He says, you Corinthians. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:23.620 It's a personal appeal. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:25.060 It's a direct appeal. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:40.160 And part of what he's doing is he's saying, look, because God has resolved the conflict of sin between us and him, that gives us the power to resolve the unresolved conflict that's between us. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:47.320 The vertical reconciliation that we've received gives us the resources to reconcile between one another. 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:49.280 And there's some things that we've got to talk about. 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:52.000 And so here he confronts his critics head on. 00:06:53.140 --> 00:06:54.140 And so how does he do it? 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:55.620 How does he do it? 00:06:56.440 --> 00:06:58.879 Chapter 6, verse 3, he says, 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:16.019 You know, one way to respond to criticism is to flex on people with your authority. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:20.040 It's to flex on people with your title, your position. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:22.759 You know, I've got more degrees in this person. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:26.939 And so what they're saying, there's no way that they could possibly be right. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:29.219 I'm a C-level executive. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.959 This person is just a mid-level employee. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.240 And so they must be clearly wrong. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:35.620 They don't know what they're talking about. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:39.040 And maybe you've never said something like this out loud. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:43.920 But if you're like me, I can guarantee you've maybe thought something like this in your heart. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:51.579 And this view of authority says that my leadership or my authority is ultimately based on my position. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.519 It's based on my title. 00:07:53.659 --> 00:07:54.560 It's based on my credentials. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:01.379 And so when you're faced with criticism, what that means is you will validate your leadership by saying, 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:02.199 I'm in charge. 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.459 I'm the leader. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.120 Sit down and listen to me. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:05.740 I'm in charge. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:12.019 And it's important to remember that as an apostle, Paul has every right to do this. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:12.959 I mean, he's an apostle. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:18.740 He has received direct revelation and direct authority from Jesus Christ himself. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:27.439 And so he could have said to the Corinthians, look, as someone who's received direct authority from Jesus Christ, as an apostle, listen, sit down, shut up, listen to me. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:28.360 I've got something to say. 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:32.740 He could have flexed on his position, but that's not what he does. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:38.000 Instead, he says, we commend ourselves as what? 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:39.620 As servants. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.299 As servants of God. 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:45.159 This word here, diakonos, means servant. 00:08:45.979 --> 00:08:46.859 It means minister. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.740 It's also where we get the word deacon from. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:56.059 And a servant is someone who puts the priorities of others before their own. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:05.139 A servant is someone who sacrifices their personal agenda to seek the glory of God and the good of others. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:09.759 And if you're a Christian, if you belong to Jesus, this is your primary job description. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.299 It's as a servant. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:12.759 We're servants. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:19.399 It doesn't matter if you're a freshman in high school or a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:22.019 Our job is to be a servant. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:28.299 We're to put the glory of God and the good of others before our own priorities. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:33.819 And this is true regardless of if you're in a place of formal leadership or not. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:36.379 You may say, well, I'm not in a place of formal leadership. 00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:38.020 I don't have a title or a position. 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:45.360 But we may not have a formal leadership title, but all of us are in places of influence. 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:51.640 We're all in places of influence, and that is what leadership is. 00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:52.940 It's just a place of influence. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:10:00.300 And so we might be in a place of influence as a sibling or as a parent or as a neighbor or a co-worker. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:04.599 We all influence other people with our words and our actions. 00:10:04.819 --> 00:10:12.359 And so as we are in places of influence, we have the opportunity to lead even if we don't have a former leadership title. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:16.019 And what Paul is saying is that true authority doesn't come from your position. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.339 It comes from how you serve. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.000 It comes from how you serve. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:27.860 Those of us who maybe have been around in the church for a while may have heard this phrase servant leadership before. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:30.960 And we might say, oh, yeah, I'm a big believer in servant leadership. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:34.399 Leaders are servants, and servants are leaders. 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:39.059 I've read several books on servant leadership, and I've been to conferences about servant leadership. 00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:51.179 But the way that you really find out what you believe about leadership, the way that you really find out what you believe about what it means to be a leader, is what you do when you're criticized. 00:10:52.219 --> 00:10:53.419 That's when you really find out. 00:10:54.439 --> 00:11:05.919 I remember when I was doing campus ministry, I led a mission trip in the summer of 2018 to Melbourne, Australia with a team of 10 college students. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:11.839 We were there for a month to do outreach on various college campuses in the city. 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:15.000 And I was co-leading the trip with somebody else. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.699 And it was a great trip. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:26.459 And about midway through the summer, one of the girls on the trip was kind of frustrated with me about something. 00:11:26.959 --> 00:11:29.120 And she had been frustrated about it for a few days. 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:30.039 I didn't know about this. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:37.679 But her kind of frustration kind of came to a crescendo one night as our team was walking out of a restaurant. 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:50.279 And she basically, in the midst of everybody, our whole team out in the parking lot of this restaurant, she voiced her frustration with me and criticized me in front of this whole group. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.019 And I can't remember exactly what she said. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.339 But as you can imagine, I was pretty shocked. 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:57.339 I was pretty taken aback. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:58.759 I was pretty humiliated. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:04.679 It's hard to be publicly criticized in front of a group of people that you lead. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:12.179 And so the question for me in that moment was, how do I exercise my authority or my leadership in this moment? 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:17.139 Do I exercise it by flexing my title or my position? 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.000 Or do I serve? 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.379 Do I act like a servant? 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.659 Do I exercise my authority or my leadership in this moment? 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:27.259 And these are, if you've ever been in a situation like that, those are not easy questions to answer. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:30.200 These are hard situations to navigate as a leader. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.340 And that's why what Paul is saying here is so countercultural. 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:39.360 He has this opportunity to flex his authority and his position, but he doesn't. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:40.960 But he doesn't. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:45.580 And so this is why what Paul is saying is so countercultural. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:52.259 And this is why Jesus is so amazing. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:58.180 This is why Jesus is so incredible in terms of how he thought about his own authority. 00:12:58.180 --> 00:13:01.500 Because no one has ever had more authority than Jesus. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:04.720 No one has ever had more authority than Jesus. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:08.080 He has all authority in heaven and on earth. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:12.059 Colossians 1 says that all things were made by him and for him. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:14.580 And in him all things hold together. 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:15.679 He's the king of kings. 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:17.379 And he's the Lord of lords. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:19.240 No one's ever had more authority than Jesus. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:28.340 And yet, no one has ever acted more like a servant than Jesus. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:32.060 No one has ever acted more like a servant than Jesus. 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:35.480 In Matthew chapter 20, he's talking to his disciples. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.180 And he says to his disciples, he says, 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:41.980 You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:46.180 And their high officials exercise authority over them. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:52.720 He says the way that the world exercises leadership is by flexing their title and their position and their authority. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:56.259 But he says to his disciples, he says, 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.420 Not so with you. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.100 Not so with you. 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:04.019 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:07.139 And whoever wants to be first must be your slave. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:13.200 Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve. 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:16.080 And to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:22.500 The one who has authority over all became the servant of all. 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:31.879 The one who is glorious beyond all comparison became a ransom payment to exchange his life for ours. 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:37.200 And so when you see that, when you see that the one who has authority over all became a servant of all, 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:39.919 that will change how you view authority. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:43.000 And it will change how you view criticism as a leader. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:51.519 On one hand, it has to make us open up to the possibility that our critics might be right. 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.440 Right? 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:58.240 If nothing less than the son of God becoming a ransom payment for us had to reconcile us to God, 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:01.940 then we should never think, no matter what leadership position we're in, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:04.399 we should never think that we're too good to be critiqued. 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:08.220 We should never think that we're too good to receive criticism. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:11.960 We should be humble enough to admit, you know, maybe they're right. 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:13.360 Maybe they're right. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:17.740 On the other hand, even if our critics are wrong, even if they're 100% wrong, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:20.500 we should still receive their criticism with humility. 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:25.039 You know, one pastor that I really respect says, he says, you know, 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:29.279 even when I've received criticism from people who are 95% wrong, 00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:34.560 even if they're 95% wrong, I still try to look for that 5% of truth. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:38.720 I still try to look for that kernel of truth, something I can learn from, 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:41.560 something I can grow from, something that might be true, 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:46.500 that I need to learn in order to grow into maturity in Christ. 00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:53.799 And on the flip side, if we're someone who gives criticism to someone else, 00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:55.679 if we're giving feedback to someone, 00:15:56.239 --> 00:15:58.759 being a servant should also shape how we do that as well. 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:02.599 If we're giving constructive criticism, we should remember 00:16:02.599 --> 00:16:07.199 that even though we're not in a position of authority, 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:11.139 that the way that we respond to that person should be as a servant, 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.019 as well. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:16.219 This is all because servants, servants see criticism 00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:19.899 as an opportunity to enter a J-curve. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:22.719 You know, we've been talking about this idea of a J-curve 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:24.939 that author Paul Miller talks about, 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:27.439 and it's this pattern of discipleship, 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:30.399 of entering in Christ's death and resurrection 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:32.039 over and over and over again, 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:34.919 that we die with Christ and rise with Christ, 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:37.059 and that's what grows us and matures us. 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:40.399 And we can avoid the J-curve, 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.939 we can avoid growth and maturity 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:45.459 by getting defensive when we're criticized, 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.299 by flexing our authority and our position, 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.559 or we can remember that we're servants. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:54.939 We can let the criticism, whether it's right or wrong, 00:16:55.619 --> 00:16:58.799 we can let it put to death the pride that's in us, 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:02.199 and we can allow that to make us more humble, 00:17:02.839 --> 00:17:04.839 to make us more humble like Christ, 00:17:04.919 --> 00:17:05.960 to grow and mature. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.559 And when we do that, 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:10.139 we experience a mini-resurrection. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:13.440 We grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:15.139 We die with him, we rise with him. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:18.539 Servants see criticism as an opportunity 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:20.980 to grow and be more like Christ. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:23.319 And you know, Paul's critics were totally wrong. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.299 They were totally wrong about him, 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:28.919 and yet, he faced their criticism as a servant. 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.419 As a servant. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.939 And that leads to our next point. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.220 That's how Paul thinks about his own authority, 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.019 but this is how, 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.240 next we're gonna look at how he expresses vulnerability. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:40.019 How he expresses vulnerability. 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:42.819 You know, Andy Crouch, Christian author, 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:45.480 wrote a book called Strong and Weak. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:48.700 And in that book, he talks about how every person 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:52.340 in every society needs both authority 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:54.400 and vulnerability to flourish. 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:57.539 Authority and vulnerability need to be combined 00:17:57.539 --> 00:18:00.900 in order for people to grow and flourish. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.360 And he says the best leaders 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:05.120 are people who use their power 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:07.620 for the benefit of others 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:11.019 while being willing to embrace 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:14.059 the risk and the suffering that that involves. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:17.519 And so he says, look, if you have, 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:20.099 you need both, you need both authority and vulnerability. 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:24.920 If you have authority, but not vulnerability, 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.759 that'll lead to exploitation. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:31.819 That's power for power's sake. 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:35.599 You know, this is what Vladimir Putin wants. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.200 This is what perpetuates every system of injustice. 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:41.099 Power for power's sake. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:46.839 If you have vulnerability without authority, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.720 this is what all of us fear the most. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:55.139 This is being exposed to all of the risks 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.639 and all the dangers in the world 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.400 without having any agency, 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:01.240 without having any ability to do anything about it. 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:05.200 If you have neither authority 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:07.460 or neither vulnerability, 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.879 that's a life of withdrawal. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:14.780 It's a life of living your life in a safe bubble 00:19:14.780 --> 00:19:17.260 and having no meaningful engagement 00:19:17.260 --> 00:19:18.060 with the world at all. 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:19.100 You might be safe, 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:21.440 but you'll never have a meaningful life. 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:26.160 But if you combine authority and vulnerability, 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:28.400 you get flourishing. 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:31.900 You get flourishing for people in societies 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:34.980 when people use their power to benefit others 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:38.720 while embracing that risk for themselves, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.740 opening themselves up to risk and loss, 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:44.579 that's when people and organizations 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:47.480 and societies and cultures flourish. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.460 And that's when you get love. 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.579 And so in verses four through 10, 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.940 Paul is, what he's doing 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:56.339 is he's bringing together his authority 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.559 and vulnerability. 00:19:57.559 --> 00:20:01.700 And he does this by giving us a resume of his ministry. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.940 But it's not the sort of resume 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.299 that you and I would think of. 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.500 It's a resume of weakness. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.539 It's a resume of vulnerability. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:10.400 And he starts by listing 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:13.859 a number of external difficulties that he faced. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.059 In verse four, he says, 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:18.640 we commend ourselves in every way 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.980 by great endurance, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.740 afflictions, 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.140 hardships, 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.180 calamities, 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.660 beatings, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.539 imprisonments, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.119 riots. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:31.240 These are external difficulties that he faced. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.059 You know, we know that 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.720 in places like Acts chapter 14 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.299 that he was beaten and stoned. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:38.019 We know that he was sent to prison multiple times. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:40.000 We know that in Acts chapter 19, 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:42.700 while he's preaching the gospel in Ephesus, 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.059 a riot erupts 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:47.220 because the craftsmen who sell idols 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.359 can no longer have a profitable business 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.940 because no one's worshiping idols anymore. 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.700 And so they riot in the streets. 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.980 The idol makers riot in the streets 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:58.419 because Paul has disrupted their business 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.480 through the preaching of the gospel. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:02.380 He continues in verse five 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:05.000 with difficulties that he faced, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.519 sufferings that he faced 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:09.799 because of how he personally chose to minister. 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.819 Labors, 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.519 sleepless nights, 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.500 and hunger. 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:18.360 This is most likely referring to how 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.559 at a certain time, 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.400 Paul didn't want to be a financial burden 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.380 to any of his churches, 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.019 to anybody. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:25.519 And so he would often do manual labor 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.220 as a tent maker 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:28.259 to support himself financially 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.519 so others wouldn't have to. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.319 And sometimes this meant 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.879 staying up late at night 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.339 and working 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.480 and having sleepless nights 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.119 and sometimes 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:37.180 not always having enough money 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.839 to buy food. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:42.319 He says in 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 9, 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:45.339 for you remember our labor and toil. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.660 We worked night and day 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:49.200 that we might not be a burden 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.879 to any of you 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:52.420 while we proclaim the gospel of God. 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:55.019 And he continues in verse six 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.500 by listing examples 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:59.259 of how he conducted himself 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:01.619 with personal integrity, 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.539 with moral integrity. 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.119 And so he says, 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.759 he continues his list by saying, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:09.299 I commend myself in purity, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:12.160 knowledge, patience, kindness, 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.700 the Holy Spirit, 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.220 genuine love, 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:16.160 truthful speech, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.160 and the power of God 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:19.400 with weapons of righteousness 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.700 for the right hand and the left. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.079 And so he's saying 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.519 the legitimacy of my ministry 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.679 isn't based on 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:26.819 my external results 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:28.279 or external success. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.359 The legitimacy of my ministry 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:32.919 is based on the purity of my heart. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.939 It's based on my integrity. 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:36.059 It's based on my moral conduct, 00:22:36.179 --> 00:22:37.019 my way of life. 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:39.899 It continues in verse eight and nine 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:42.240 and in this list of things, 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.720 he is comparing 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:45.519 his reputation 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.179 among his critics 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:49.700 and what was actually true about him. 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.700 His reputation among his critics 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.500 and what was actually true about him. 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.420 Verses eight and nine, 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.500 he says, 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.700 through honor and dishonor, 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.720 slander and praise, 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:02.100 we are treated as imposters 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.200 and yet are true, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:06.240 as unknown and yet known. 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:08.600 His critics said he was a fraud. 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.560 They said he was an imposter, 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.839 but he knew 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.599 that God knew who he was. 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:16.259 He knew that God saw the truth 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.559 of who he was 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:19.899 and he was fully known by him. 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.399 And then finally, 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.339 in verses nine and 10, 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.440 he concludes his resume of weakness, 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.279 his resume of vulnerability, 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:29.099 and perhaps what is the most poetic section, 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.919 and really in a section 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.879 that describes 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:35.139 the overall paradox of his ministry 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:37.559 and really what is the overall paradox 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.779 of the Christian life. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.359 He says, 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.799 as dying 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.539 and yet behold we live, 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.279 as punished 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.680 and yet not killed, 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.680 as sorrowful 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:50.399 yet always rejoicing, 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.960 as poor 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.480 and yet making many rich, 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:55.500 as having nothing 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:58.119 and yet possessing everything. 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.019 Paul says, 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.279 spiritual power 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.240 was present in my weakness. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.160 Resurrection life 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:07.220 was present in my mortal body. 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:09.440 Spirit-filled joy 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.440 was present 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.620 amidst all my sufferings 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.240 and sorrows 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.960 and true spiritual riches 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.539 were present 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:16.900 in my earthly poverty. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.680 And so Paul says, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.220 you want my defense 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.680 to my critics? 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.799 You want my resume? 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.640 Here it is. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.100 Here's my resume. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:29.640 I have suffered for you. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:33.720 I have endured difficulty for you. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:36.580 I have worked hard for you. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.880 I've lost sleep for you. 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:41.040 I have acted with integrity for you. 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:42.080 I have been slandered. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:44.040 I have been called an imposter 00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:45.400 and all of that 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.480 has made my life 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:48.680 look like a living contradiction. 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.020 That's my resume. 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.920 It's a resume of vulnerability. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.500 And so why does Paul do this? 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.920 Why does Paul give us 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.740 a resume of vulnerability 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.440 and weakness 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.560 and not a resume of strength? 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.080 I mean, I think 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:03.600 a legitimate question here 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.720 for us is 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.460 are we to conclude 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.779 that our abilities, 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.539 our strengths, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.320 our expertise 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:09.800 isn't valuable 00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:10.860 in the kingdom of God? 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.100 And the answer is 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.600 no. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.279 Of course our strengths 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.480 and our abilities matter. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.600 God has given everyone 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.560 strengths and abilities 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:20.160 as people made in his image 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.880 and as Christians 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:22.700 we're called to use 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.900 our skills and expertise 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.920 to the glory of God 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:26.400 in our work, 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.060 our jobs, 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.940 and our vocations. 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:32.220 But skills and expertise 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.140 alone 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:35.060 do not make you 00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:35.800 an authentic leader. 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.680 Credentials 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:40.039 and talent 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.000 and expertise 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.680 alone 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:43.279 do not make you 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.039 an authentic leader. 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.920 What makes you 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.779 an authentic leader 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:47.500 is how you use 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.100 your abilities 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.880 and your skills 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:50.080 to love. 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.740 To love. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.299 And love 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.940 is the whole point 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.420 and love 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.460 is the whole reason 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.900 why Paul is 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.000 defending his 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.180 ministry this way. 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.700 Love is the whole reason 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.200 why he's making himself 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.000 vulnerable. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.740 We said earlier 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.680 his goal isn't just 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:07.000 to correct them 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.019 or lay down the law. 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.240 His goal is to win them. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.960 How do we know? 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.819 We know because of 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.400 what he says 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:16.180 in verses 11 through 13. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.680 In verse 11 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.240 he says 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.980 we have spoken freely 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.900 to you Corinthians 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:22.900 and opened wide 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.140 our hearts to you. 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:26.340 We are not withholding 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:26.920 our affection 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.820 from you 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:29.300 but you are withholding 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:29.840 your affection 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.800 from us. 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.220 I speak as to my children 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.680 open wide 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.440 your hearts 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.580 also. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.280 In the face 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:39.880 of criticism 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:41.040 Paul's main goal 00:26:41.040 --> 00:26:42.320 wasn't to be right. 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.320 It wasn't to clear 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.800 his record. 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.160 It wasn't to 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.640 vindicate himself. 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.600 His main goal 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.120 was love. 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:51.000 It was to be 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.379 loved 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:54.299 and to love 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.319 the Corinthians 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.119 to restore 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:58.179 his relationship 00:26:58.179 --> 00:26:58.879 of love 00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.939 with them. 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.319 Authentic 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.919 leadership 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:05.059 is about 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.119 combining 00:27:05.739 --> 00:27:06.619 authority 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:08.339 and vulnerability 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.699 for the sake 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:10.099 of love. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.000 It's about combining 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.599 authority 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.319 and vulnerability 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.459 for the sake 00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:14.779 of love. 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.139 Paul says 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.599 I'm not trying 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.339 to flex on you. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.799 my heart 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.240 is wide 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.799 open to you. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.599 My affections 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.599 are open 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.939 to you. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.459 Look how much 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:22.000 I've suffered 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.359 for you. 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:22.799 Look how much 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.379 I've worked 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.359 hard for you 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.500 because I love 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.679 you. 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.699 I'm opening 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:28.259 my heart 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.659 to you 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.039 Corinthians. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.579 Will you 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:30.980 open your 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.480 heart to me? 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.799 Will you 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.199 open your 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:33.459 heart 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:34.099 to me? 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:34.399 And this 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:34.639 is an 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.319 incredible 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.740 vulnerable 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.639 place to be 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:39.559 because as 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.039 he opens 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.799 himself up 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.619 and makes 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.459 himself vulnerable 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.359 he's opening 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.959 himself up 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.600 to further 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.079 criticism. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.600 He's opening 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:47.279 himself up 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.920 to further 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.860 rejection. 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.799 He responds 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.519 to criticism 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:52.539 paradoxically. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.799 He responds 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.440 to criticism 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.400 by opening 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.140 himself up 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:57.000 to more 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.380 criticism. 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.319 But he does 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.160 it for love. 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:02.420 And this 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.480 is a model 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:03.980 for us 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.299 of what 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.799 authentic 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.299 leadership 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.960 looks like. 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.019 And so 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.420 as we think 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.460 about your 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:08.860 homes and 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.240 your neighborhoods 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.539 and your 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.960 workplaces 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.480 this is a 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.220 model for us 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.180 for what 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.799 leadership looks 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.220 like but 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.880 it's also 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:16.820 a beautiful 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.260 picture of 00:28:17.260 --> 00:28:17.620 the gospel. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.320 It's also 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:19.840 a beautiful 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:21.060 picture of 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:21.660 the gospel. 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.900 The events 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.540 of Holy 00:28:23.540 --> 00:28:24.160 Week this 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.740 week remind 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.740 us that the 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.520 gospel is that 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:28.120 in Jesus 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.480 Christ God's 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:31.300 power was 00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:32.280 expressed through 00:28:32.280 --> 00:28:33.460 vulnerability for 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:33.920 the sake of 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.180 love. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.820 That that's the 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.580 gospel that in 00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:37.580 Jesus Christ God 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.720 came to a world 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.380 that had totally 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:39.800 and utterly 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.540 rejected him. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.920 And God 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.640 responds to 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.160 that rejection 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.920 he responds 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.320 to our 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:47.040 sin by 00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:47.780 putting himself 00:28:47.780 --> 00:28:48.460 in a place 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.300 that opens 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:49.820 himself up 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.280 to more 00:28:50.280 --> 00:28:50.740 rejection 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.880 by becoming 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.560 totally 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.200 vulnerable. 00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.320 Palm Sunday 00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:57.420 this morning 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.040 this day 00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:59.500 Palm Sunday 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.100 we celebrate 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.680 that the 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.060 king of 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:01.680 kings doesn't 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.259 come riding 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.040 into Jerusalem 00:29:03.040 --> 00:29:04.460 like a 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.259 conquering king 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.820 on a war 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.480 horse like a 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.100 Roman military 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:07.560 official. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.280 He comes 00:29:09.280 --> 00:29:09.900 riding in on 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.180 what? 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.020 A colt. 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.279 a young 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.680 donkey 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.420 a humble 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:15.900 animal 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.680 that represents 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.660 humble people 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.319 for farmers 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.839 and blue 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.180 collar people 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:23.240 authority and 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.799 vulnerability. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.740 On Monday 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.160 Thursday 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.839 we consider 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.220 how 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.700 the one 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.539 who has 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.160 authority 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.900 over all 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.579 things in 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.039 heaven and 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.559 on earth 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:35.279 kneels down 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.920 before his 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.460 disciples 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:38.100 and takes 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:38.559 a towel 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:40.299 and does 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.819 something that 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.500 only a servant 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.039 does and 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.539 he washes 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.019 their feet. 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.340 He takes 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:45.779 a place of 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.200 vulnerability. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.299 And then 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.559 a good 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.120 Friday we 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.759 see how 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.259 the judge 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.799 of all 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.380 the world 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.740 the one 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.120 who's going 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.480 to judge 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.079 the world 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.779 is given 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.500 an unfair 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.299 trial and 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.700 he's 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.519 betrayed 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.180 and arrested 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:02.660 and beaten 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.440 and mocked 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.140 and crucified 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.340 like a common 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.960 criminal and 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.299 dies. 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.299 One of the 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.840 most painful 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.960 deaths imaginable. 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.240 In Jesus 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.779 Christ 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.779 God has 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.420 expressed 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.380 the greatness 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:13.980 of his 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.620 power and 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.259 authority and 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.600 glory 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:17.220 through the 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.860 vulnerability of 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.140 love. 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.340 In Jesus 00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:19.960 Christ God 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.680 says to us 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.579 my heart 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:21.960 is open 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.319 to you. 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.640 My 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.380 affections 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:25.220 are open 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.740 to you. 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.620 My love 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.440 is open 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:28.759 to you. 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:29.120 I have 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.900 made myself 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.299 utterly 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.720 vulnerable 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.100 to you. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.420 I have 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:31.759 opened 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.279 myself 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.340 to more 00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:34.200 rejection. 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:34.640 I have 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.019 laid 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.579 aside 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.500 my 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.079 power 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.819 and my 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.379 authority 00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.019 and my 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.359 glory 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.539 to show 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.799 you how 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.079 much I 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.399 love you. 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:42.859 I have 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.240 opened my 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.559 heart to 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:43.779 you. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.460 Will you 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.439 open your 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:46.839 heart to 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.000 me? 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.299 And friends 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.659 that's the 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.119 invitation 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:50.259 of Palm 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.559 Sunday. 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:50.939 It's the 00:30:50.939 --> 00:30:51.559 invitation of 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:51.980 Holy Week. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.299 It's the 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.000 invitation of 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.419 the gospel 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.379 that God 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.960 has opened 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.539 his heart. 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.199 He is 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.039 unrestrained in 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.579 his affections 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.039 for us. 00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.259 And the 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.019 invitation for 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:00.500 us is will 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:00.899 we open 00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.240 our hearts 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.599 to him? 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.859 Will we be 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.599 vulnerable with 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:03.779 him? 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.359 Will we 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.059 open wide 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:06.000 our affections 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.919 to him? 00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:08.500 And that's 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.139 the path 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:10.139 to authentic 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:11.719 leadership and 00:31:11.719 --> 00:31:12.419 it's the path 00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:12.859 to being 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.559 authentically 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.359 human. 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.459 Let's pray. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.579 Our God 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:19.919 and Father 00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:21.519 we worship 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.980 you and 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.539 adore you. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.619 We thank 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.079 you that you 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.659 laid aside 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.240 your glory 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.439 to become 00:31:26.439 --> 00:31:27.000 a servant. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.919 Lord I 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.240 pray that 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:29.679 that would 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:32.299 change us 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.740 to be 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.380 people and 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:33.820 leaders 00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:35.500 who use 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.360 our power 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:36.860 and authority 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.460 for others. 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.160 Serving 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.500 them. 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.100 Becoming 00:31:40.100 --> 00:31:40.539 vulnerable 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.120 for them. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.560 Lord create 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.420 a culture 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:44.940 of love 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.680 in us 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:47.259 where power 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.740 and authority 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.299 come together 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.660 in a way 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.820 that glorifies 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:50.880 you and 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.980 reflects the 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.019 gospel we 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.279 pray. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.240 Amen. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.680 Amen.