WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.700 The scripture reading comes from the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Please follow along on the bulletin, the screen, or your own Bible. 00:00:10.220 --> 00:00:12.259 Starting in verse 1, we read, 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:19.980 This is how one should regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:24.859 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:32.079 But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:40.859 In fact, I do not even judge myself, for I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not therefore acquitted. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:43.200 It is the Lord who judges me. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:48.320 Therefore, do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:54.460 who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:58.119 Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:04.200 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:08.000 that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:12.599 that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:15.879 For who sees anything different in you? 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:18.819 What do you have that you did not receive? 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:24.319 If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:30.620 Although you have all you want, I'm sorry, already you have all you want. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:32.659 Already you have become rich. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:35.219 Without us, you have become kings. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:40.039 And with that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:48.060 For I think that God has exhibited us, apostles, as last of all, like men sentenced to death, 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:53.359 because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:58.359 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:01.579 We are weak, but you are strong. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:05.280 You are held in honor, but we in disrebuke. 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:08.460 To the present hour, we hunger and thirst. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:11.560 We are poorly dressed and buffered and homeless. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:14.939 And we labor, working with our own hands. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:18.759 When we revile, we are blessed. 00:02:19.140 --> 00:02:21.080 When persecuted, we endure. 00:02:21.080 --> 00:02:27.360 When slanted, we entreat. 00:02:27.940 --> 00:02:33.320 We have become and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuge of all things. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:39.439 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to acknowledge you as my beloved children. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:44.579 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:48.620 For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:52.359 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:57.699 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, 00:02:57.799 --> 00:03:03.159 to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:06.799 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:09.959 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:14.139 And I will find out not the talk of those arrogant people, but their power. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:18.459 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:20.139 What do you wish? 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:24.620 Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love, in the spirit of gentleness? 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:26.500 This is the word of God. 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:28.599 Okay, great. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:29.259 Thank you, Margo. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:33.039 Let's pray together as we come to this passage. 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:36.060 Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:40.439 God, I confess, sometimes your word is hard to understand. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:48.419 Sometimes it feels like, what relevance does this letter to Corinthians 2,000 years ago have to us today? 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:54.659 God, won't you come and help us see not just what Paul is saying to Corinthians, but what you are saying to us. 00:03:55.859 --> 00:03:59.359 God, I pray that you help us to be a church which is radically Christ-centered. 00:03:59.579 --> 00:04:05.279 God, come and crucify our pride, our self-sufficiency. 00:04:06.119 --> 00:04:08.699 Come and call us back to Christ in the gospel, we pray. 00:04:08.779 --> 00:04:11.779 Lord, as your word, we pray that you will speak to us this morning. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:18.879 Lord, we pray that each one of us, you will speak to us from something from today, whether it's a line in a song, 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:25.600 whether it's something from the scripture reading, the call to worship, the sermon, that in some way, God, you will speak to each one of us today. 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:33.800 We want to hear from you and take something from this morning that will go with us into this week and help us to hold on to Christ Jesus again. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:33.840 Amen. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:38.480 So God, I pray by your spirit, come and do that in your wonderful and gracious name. 00:04:39.240 --> 00:04:39.520 Amen. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:49.939 Okay, I don't know how you feel about problem-solving puzzles like Rubik's cubes and things like that. 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:53.319 I saw Sebastian, I think a week or two ago. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:58.080 Sebastian is from Ebenezer here and is 100% blind. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:04.779 And Sebastian was solving a Rubik's cube by feeling the different textures of the different colors. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:05.560 Is that right, Sebastian? 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:09.000 Well, I must tell you, I don't know anything about Rubik's cubes. 00:05:09.099 --> 00:05:10.079 I've tried many times. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:11.139 I can't solve them. 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:12.939 I have not cracked the code. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:17.219 I don't know how you feel about those kinds of problems and other problems like that. 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:22.399 Well, 1 Corinthians chapter 4 was a Rubik's cube to me this week. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:31.179 If you didn't understand anything Margo read while she was reading, that's how I felt Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.479 And I thought, what on earth is going on here? 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:38.979 So let's see if we can make sense of this very difficult passage. 00:05:39.419 --> 00:05:40.979 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:44.379 What is Paul trying to say to the Corinthians? 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:47.099 And the question then is, what is God trying to say to us? 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.139 Well, I think this is the big idea. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:51.000 Paul wants his readers to understand. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:06:02.899 He wants them to humbly receive the leaders that God has given them and to let these leaders help them, the Corinthians, to follow Jesus. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:07.099 So Paul is saying to the Corinthians, God has given you leaders. 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:14.000 Receive these leaders and let these leaders serve you by calling you to follow Jesus. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.419 And if you think about that, isn't that what God would want to say to us? 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:27.639 For us to humbly receive the leaders that he's given us and to let those leaders help us as a church to follow Jesus. 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:36.120 Now, you may automatically have an objection and say, well, that's very convenient for you to say, Kevin, because you are one of the leaders, right? 00:06:36.159 --> 00:06:40.079 That sounds like you're saying, hey, just shut up and follow me, right? 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.379 Well, good point. 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:43.899 But I want to raise something. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.959 I am one of the leaders in the church, sure. 00:06:49.359 --> 00:06:51.959 But I'm also a member of the church. 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:57.779 In fact, my primary identity is as a member of the church, not as a leader. 00:06:58.419 --> 00:07:01.360 There is one primary head of Watermark Church. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.219 His name is Jesus. 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:05.540 And the rest are primarily body. 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:11.280 And so even as elders and pastors, we have leaders called elders and pastors. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:22.580 And I, as I listen to this passage, need to receive the leaders that God has put in my life and help them to let them help me to follow Jesus. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:25.899 The main thing that I need in my life is to follow Jesus. 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:30.959 And God has given me these gifts called elders and pastors that help me to do that. 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:33.959 Okay, so that's what I think the big idea is today. 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:40.579 God wants us to humbly receive the leaders he's given us and to allow them to help us follow Jesus. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.379 Now, you may say, oh, church of Egypt, here we go again. 00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:48.240 Is there anything like more irrelevant and boring to my life? 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:54.480 But I think there's two reasons why it's important for us to, why the Bible spends a lot of time talking about church leadership. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:55.980 The first is this. 00:07:56.840 --> 00:08:02.620 The Bible says that the church is not indispensable to one's Christian faith. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:05.660 And so it's easy for us to think, okay, it's me and Jesus. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:07.079 That's all that really matters. 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:14.639 But the Bible actually says the church, the Christian community around us, is a vital part of our Christian faith, of us following Jesus. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:21.560 And therefore, how the church is structured and how God brings the church into our lives is very important. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:23.039 How we think about it is very important. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:25.180 But the second reason is this. 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:40.000 If you've been around for more than a month in this world, you'll know of all the terrible stories of church abuse or church scandals or churches imploding that result from dodgy and bad leadership, right? 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:48.600 And so if we want the church to be healthy and strong, it's important that we understand what does the Bible have to say about church and how it's structured and church leadership. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:53.000 Okay, so in this passage, I think Paul's going to answer three questions. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:55.139 Who do church leaders serve? 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.620 Secondly, what do church leaders do? 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:58.700 Okay, that's a good question. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:02.360 And thirdly, how do they actually do what they are called to do? 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:04.899 So let's dive in and see how we can answer. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.899 So firstly, who do church leaders serve? 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:19.220 In 1970, an academic called Robert Greenleaf coined a phrase in his seminal essay called The Servant as Leader. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:23.379 He coined this now ubiquitous phrase, The Servant Leader. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:24.039 Okay? 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:26.720 And for us, we yawn when we hear that idea. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.559 Servant Leader. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:29.740 Okay, we've all heard that concept. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:33.759 But in the 1970s, it was revolutionary and very new. 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:35.600 Everyone thought, this is amazing. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.399 Leaders are actually servants. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:41.179 Now, of course, that idea has been around for forever, right? 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:48.480 I think the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, I don't know if that's how you say his name, 5th century BC, he spoke about servant leaders. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.019 And of course, that's what the Apostle Paul is writing here. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:54.939 And so look what he says in verse 1 of our passage. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.279 I hope you've got your Bible or bulletin with you. 00:09:57.819 --> 00:09:58.159 He says, 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:00.579 This is how one should regard us, apostles. 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:02.240 We are servants. 00:10:02.699 --> 00:10:05.139 Servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.559 And we must be found faithful. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:08.259 Okay? 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.279 So that's similar to what we saw last week. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.000 Paul says, 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:12.360 What are church leaders? 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.819 We are servants. 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:14.240 Okay? 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.519 But servants of Christ. 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.019 Then he says, 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:32.559 So Paul says, 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.759 We are servants. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.039 But then he says, 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.339 You think that he means, 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.299 Okay, we are your servants. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.459 But actually, look at what he says. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:39.979 We are servants of Christ. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:41.659 We are Christ's servants. 00:10:42.459 --> 00:10:43.759 So Paul's telling the church that, 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:44.639 Yes, the leaders, 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:45.879 They are servant leaders. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.639 They're not meant to be CEOs or presidents. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.539 They're not building their own brand or their own organization 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:53.159 or their own empire. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.959 They are servants to the church. 00:10:55.439 --> 00:10:58.659 But they're also not democratically elected leaders. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:00.980 They're not voted by the people, 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:01.939 for the people, 00:11:02.339 --> 00:11:03.519 answerable to the people. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:04.599 What does he say? 00:11:04.719 --> 00:11:05.639 Who are they answerable to? 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:08.360 Paul says they're servants of Christ. 00:11:09.099 --> 00:11:11.599 They've been sent to the church by Christ 00:11:11.599 --> 00:11:14.639 to serve Christ's church with the gospel. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:19.980 And their job is to be faithful to what Christ has told them to say. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.159 I don't know if you know this phrase. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:24.300 Sometimes you hear this kind of in politics. 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.399 Someone will say, 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:28.180 I serve at the pleasure of the president. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:31.019 Or I serve at the pleasure of the chief executive. 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.320 And what they mean is, 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.980 My job is in the hands of the president. 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.860 When the president doesn't want me to do my job, 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:37.700 I'm out of here. 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:39.539 Paul says, 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.980 We serve at the pleasure of Christ. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:48.100 So Christ is the one who sent us to then serve the church. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:50.420 Paul says, 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.879 Church leaders serve at the pleasure of Christ. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:54.200 And they serve the church best 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:57.519 by seeing themselves as servants of Christ 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:59.120 to the church. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.879 Now that's a very delicate balance to get right. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.639 So Paul's saying on one hand, 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:06.320 we are servants to the church. 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:07.500 On the other hand, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:10.200 we are servants of Christ to the church. 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:13.040 And what's happening here is that 00:12:13.040 --> 00:12:14.399 when earlier on, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.820 in chapter 3, 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.680 Paul writes and says, 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.360 Who are leaders? 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.000 Who is Paul? 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.000 Who is Apollos? 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.620 Who is Kevin? 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.539 We're nothing. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.019 We're just servants. 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:22.980 On one hand, 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.600 that sounds like, 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.639 Oh, great, servants. 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:26.480 Okay, we just get to tell them what to do. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.800 And Paul says, 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:28.340 No, no, no. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.639 We are God's servants. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:31.500 And we speak on his behalf 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:33.000 and do what he tells us to do. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:35.320 So we don't change the message 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:36.320 to make it more palatable. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:38.580 We don't run around doing 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:41.159 what everybody necessarily is telling us to do. 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:43.220 We've got a mandate from Christ. 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.899 And we serve the church best 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:47.660 when we answer what Christ has called us to do. 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:50.279 And that's really important 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.160 because in chapter 3, 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.180 Paul says, 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.040 Who is Apollos? 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.680 Who is Paul? 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.300 We are nothing but servants, right? 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:58.620 And so some people in the church are saying, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.320 Okay, 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.420 I've got my servants at work. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.379 I pay them a little bit 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.440 and I tell them what to do. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.500 I've got my servants at home. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.800 I pay them a bit 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:07.680 and I tell them what to do. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.239 And then they hear Paul say, 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:09.959 Oh, we are servants. 00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:10.579 And they say, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.120 Oh, okay. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.839 Now I've got my servants at church as well. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.759 I'll just tell them what to do. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:15.919 And Paul says, 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.239 No, no, no. 00:13:16.239 --> 00:13:17.379 We are servants of Christ 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:19.459 that are called to serve the church. 00:13:20.479 --> 00:13:21.719 Now, here's the question. 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:24.159 Why is Paul saying this? 00:13:24.219 --> 00:13:26.000 Why is he making this distinction? 00:13:28.739 --> 00:13:30.139 If you are a little bit older, 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.139 you might remember 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:35.539 there's a pop song from the 1970s, okay? 00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:36.939 Bernard. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:39.639 And is Bernard here? 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:42.500 And the song goes like this. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:44.019 It was by Carly Simon 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.199 and the song is called 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:46.299 You're So Vain. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.099 Do you know that song? 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:47.659 Okay. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:50.079 And the chorus goes like this. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:50.419 It says, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.539 You're vain. 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.559 The word vain means self-opinionated, 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.639 conceited, right? 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:56.259 And the chorus goes like this. 00:13:56.719 --> 00:13:57.559 You're so vain, 00:13:57.739 --> 00:13:59.620 you probably think the song is about you, 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.199 don't you? 00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:00.759 Okay. 00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:02.039 Anyone know that song? 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.259 Okay. 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:04.139 Ron, 00:14:04.359 --> 00:14:05.599 I don't know you know that song. 00:14:05.719 --> 00:14:05.839 Okay. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:08.040 Well, a few years ago, 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.580 a pastor called Alex Duke 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.840 wrote an article called 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.980 You're So Vain, 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.180 You Probably Think This Church Is About You, 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:14.560 right? 00:14:14.660 --> 00:14:15.200 Don't you? 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.899 And so that's what's going on in Corinth. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:18.960 There are these guys, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.280 and Paul says, 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.399 Okay, we are servants, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:21.960 and they say, 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:22.940 Yeah, that's right. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:23.620 That's right. 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:24.740 We've got our servants at work. 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:25.580 We've got servants at home. 00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:26.820 Now we've got our servants at church. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:29.620 We're just going to tell you what to do. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.160 And Paul says, 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.480 No, no, no, no. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.040 We are servants of Christ, 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:35.800 and we serve the church best 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:38.240 when we know who gives us our mandate. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.580 Who are we answerable to? 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:41.379 We're answerable to Christ. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:44.280 If we are not answerable to Christ, 00:14:44.400 --> 00:14:45.700 we'll twist the message. 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:46.960 We'll say what you want us to say. 00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:48.660 We'll try and become popular. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.520 We'll try and win your favor. 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:53.200 We might not be faithful to the gospel. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:57.280 Now, I must say, 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.160 I don't see this often at Watermark. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.940 I don't experience this often at Watermark. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:03.800 But this does happen from time to time, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:06.259 and I hear it happens a lot in various churches, 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.620 and we're all susceptible to this. 00:15:07.780 --> 00:15:09.740 And what is the root of this? 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.480 This thinking of saying, 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:14.720 of wanting to demand 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:17.980 and just tell people what to do. 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:19.360 What's the root cause of it? 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.940 Well, Paul tells us here. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.480 In fact, he tells us three times. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.480 Look at verse 6. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:24.519 He says, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:28.139 My hope is that none of you may be puffed up. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.820 The word there is proud or arrogant. 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.480 Verse 18, he says, 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:34.580 Some of you are arrogant, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.440 as though I were not coming to you. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.460 Verse 19, 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.000 But I will come to you, 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.920 if the Lord wills, 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.399 and I will find out, 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:43.180 not to talk of these arrogant people, 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.539 but their power. 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:47.720 What's the problem in the church in Corinth here? 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.700 The problem is there's fraction, 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.360 there's dividing, 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.680 there's division, 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.319 there's fighting, 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.000 there's camps. 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:55.079 But what's underneath the surface? 00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:57.259 What's leading to this conflict, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:57.859 this fighting? 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:58.979 It's actually, 00:15:59.099 --> 00:15:59.719 there's pride. 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.339 There's a sense of arrogance. 00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:02.639 There's a sense of entitlement. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.219 There's a sense of self-sufficiency. 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:06.899 And so some people are saying, 00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:08.079 Oh, it's all about us, right? 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:08.639 I'm so vain. 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:10.019 This church is probably all about me. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.480 And another group saying, 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.240 No, it's about me. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.299 And they're causing division, 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:13.899 and fraction, 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.000 and fighting. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:18.480 And so pride is not only manifesting itself 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:20.759 in the division between the leaders and the church, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.000 it's also manifesting itself in the division 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.860 between various church members. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.159 How are they treating one another? 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:28.960 And so they're getting political, 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.259 and divisive, 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.059 and there's factions, 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.360 and there's arguments, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.620 and it's leading to conflict with one another. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.940 And pride and selfishness 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:39.139 is tearing this church community apart. 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.019 And friends, 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:42.299 sin always does that. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:45.460 Whether it's the sin of pride and vanity, 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.899 whether it's something else, 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:48.539 it always has a vertical component 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.639 between me and God, 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:51.320 but also a horizontal component. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.200 It damages relationships. 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.100 And so the question is, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.179 what should Paul do? 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.919 He has this church, 00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.500 there's pride, 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.100 there's conflict, 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.680 there's division. 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.940 What should Paul do? 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.259 How should Paul solve the problem? 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.639 What should all church leaders do? 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.899 That's a really good question. 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:10.259 Well, notice, 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:12.219 what Paul doesn't do 00:17:12.219 --> 00:17:14.459 is he doesn't give them three tips 00:17:14.459 --> 00:17:15.659 on how to improve their life. 00:17:16.479 --> 00:17:17.000 Paul doesn't say, 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.399 come and, 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.459 whoa, sorry, sorry, sorry. 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:18.959 I apologize. 00:17:19.939 --> 00:17:21.319 Paul doesn't say, 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:22.799 come listen to our sermon, 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:24.139 I'm going to give you five ways 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:25.519 to be successful in life. 00:17:26.219 --> 00:17:27.959 He doesn't give them three tips 00:17:27.959 --> 00:17:29.819 to self-help and self-improvement. 00:17:30.199 --> 00:17:31.299 What does Paul do? 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.279 He pushes them back to Christ 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:34.859 and the gospel. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.079 He reminds them 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.680 of who Jesus is 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.720 and what the gospel is. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:42.420 He calls them back to Christ. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.940 And that makes sense 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:45.500 because if the problem 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.559 in a church community 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:48.139 is pride and arrogance 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:49.059 and self-sufficiency, 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.619 what you don't need 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.639 is three ways 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:53.000 to improve your life. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.180 That's like going to a doctor, 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:56.639 he does an MRI, 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.220 a blood test, 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.399 he comes back and says, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:17:59.940 listen, 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.059 there's a serious problem. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.980 You've got cancer. 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.879 He has Panadol, right? 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.200 That's a bad doctor. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.759 For Paul to say, 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.659 there's pride, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.220 there's division, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.359 there's conflict in the church. 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.539 Yeah, let me just give you 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:12.220 three tips to improve your life. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.700 That's not going to help them. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.139 What does he need to do? 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:16.720 He needs to call them 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.740 back to Christ. 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:21.019 And that's what Paul does. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.339 Friends, 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.740 that's what all good church leaders do. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.440 What do church leaders do? 00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:29.059 They call us back to Christ 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.420 and the gospel. 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.340 Elders, 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.059 deacons, 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.200 pastors, 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.320 CG leaders 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:37.160 call us back to Christ. 00:18:37.320 --> 00:18:38.500 Week in and week out, 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.019 they remind us 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.720 that Christ 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.920 is the hope 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.640 in this life, 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.720 in life and death. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.080 They remind us 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:45.799 our only hope 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.779 is in Christ alone. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.140 They remind us 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:48.759 that Christ 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:50.259 is a sure and steady anchor 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.740 as we sang earlier, 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.080 Nate. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:54.200 So Paul reminds them 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.279 and calls them 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.140 back to Christ. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:58.160 And look at how he does this. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.100 The first thing he does 00:18:59.100 --> 00:19:00.840 is he reminds them 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.500 of Christ's grace. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.940 Look at verse 7 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.559 with me here 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.799 in our passage. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.980 Paul says this, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.380 he says, 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.880 For who sees anything 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.840 different in you? 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.960 Or another way of saying that is, 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.460 what makes you different 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.100 from others? 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.820 What have you 00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:18.039 that you did not receive? 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.240 If then you've received it, 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.779 why do you boast 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.400 as if you didn't receive it? 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:26.039 Andrew Wilson says, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.720 this is Paul's 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.840 entire theology 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:30.340 in one sentence 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:31.759 and the most beautiful question 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.460 in the New Testament. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.860 What did you receive, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.160 or what do you have 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.779 that you did not receive 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.600 by grace? 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.000 Okay? 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.059 So, 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.960 he has this church, 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.500 his conflict, 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:43.059 his division, 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.600 his fighting, 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.660 and he's saying, 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.700 everything you have, 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:49.160 everything that we are, 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.720 our salvation, 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.660 the gospel, 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.600 our standing, 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.420 our wisdom, 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.680 our education, 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:56.400 everything that you are, 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.140 everything that we have, 00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.440 you receive by grace. 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.600 It's unearned, 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:02.940 unmerited, 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.120 undeserved, 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.480 not because you're brilliant, 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.720 not because you're amazing, 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:09.400 it's God's undeserved grace 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.360 and kindness 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.519 to you. 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.560 So again, 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.620 Andrew Wilson says this, 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:14.939 grace, 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.439 more than any other 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.339 Christian teaching, 00:20:17.979 --> 00:20:18.779 pulls the rug 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:20.199 from under self-reliance, 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:20.919 our boasting, 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.719 and our pride, 00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:24.139 because if everything we have 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:25.339 has been given to us 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.239 by God, 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.419 how on earth 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:28.139 can we boast 00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:29.000 as if somehow 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.619 it's ours by right? 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.599 Okay? 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.059 So Paul comes to him 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.379 and he says, 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:33.859 listen, 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:35.199 there's pride 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:35.819 and there's division 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.739 going on in the church. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.500 How can I help them? 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.619 And the one, 00:20:39.719 --> 00:20:40.619 the first thing he does 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.159 is he says, 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.860 everything you have, 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.759 everything you are 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.340 is by God's grace. 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:48.279 Now you may say, 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.740 well that's not really true. 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.040 I mean, 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.240 I've worked really hard 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.960 at my career, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.019 I worked hard 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.779 at my university, 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.820 I studied, 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:56.259 I've put in long hours, 00:20:56.540 --> 00:20:57.720 I've achieved this. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.560 Okay, 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:58.840 yes, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.160 but let's just think about this. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.340 You could have been born 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:04.000 to the untouchable castes 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.140 in India, 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.519 right? 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.040 You could have been born 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:08.060 to the Masai Mara 00:21:08.060 --> 00:21:09.120 in Tanzania 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.279 under a tree somewhere. 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.379 Everything you have, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.180 your education, 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.960 your brains, 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.440 your intellect, 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.379 everything you have 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.740 is grace alone. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.119 Been given to you 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:18.940 by grace alone. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.059 And therefore, 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.460 there is no room 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.259 for boasting, 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.879 for pride. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.139 And that's why 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.960 throughout this letter, 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.720 Paul is constantly 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.599 reminding us 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.339 of Christ 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.700 and the cross, 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.000 Christ 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.099 and the gospel, 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.279 Christ 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.440 and grace. 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:37.759 He says, 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.000 yes, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.299 I know, 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:39.079 that's foolishness 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.559 to the world, 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.700 stupidity 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.419 to our culture, 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.899 but the wisdom 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.919 and the power 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.480 of God 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.819 is found in Christ 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:47.259 and the gospel. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.839 Christ 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.859 and Christ alone. 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.980 Christ's grace 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.879 crucifies our pride 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:55.279 and annihilates 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.700 our self-sufficiency 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:58.919 and unites us 00:21:58.919 --> 00:22:00.000 where there's division. 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.299 And so, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.839 look at the last sentence 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.700 in our passage. 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.200 Paul could have come 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.620 and just smoked him, 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:06.759 right? 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.259 He could have said, 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.180 you guys, 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.720 stop it right now. 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:10.120 Otherwise, 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.900 I'm going to, 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.819 but he doesn't. 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:13.880 He says, 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.720 let's just think about this. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.380 He says, 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.759 everything you have, 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.559 everything you are, 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.539 it's Christ's grace alone. 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.980 Let's look at the last sentence. 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.400 He says, 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.500 shall I come to you 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.019 with a rod 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.700 or shall I come to you 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.259 with love 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.460 and a spirit of gentleness? 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.680 He's an apostle. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.720 He started this church. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.600 They're rebelling 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.519 against his authority. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.299 Of course, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.799 he could have come 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.319 with a rod. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.119 But how's he first 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:37.059 going to appeal to them? 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.460 He's going to appeal 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.980 to them with grace. 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.180 And so, 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.240 Paul comes and he says, 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.339 he says, 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.799 friends, 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.759 the kindness of God, 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.799 remember the grace of God. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.099 Friends, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.099 let me just ask you a question. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.460 If you're stagnant 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.599 in your walk with God, 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.299 if your faith 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.400 has become a bit dull, 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.700 if you're bored with Jesus, 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:00.259 if you're constantly 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.039 in conflict 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.960 with other Christians, 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.619 is it possibly 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:05.059 because you've forgotten 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.119 the grace of God? 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.220 Forgotten the mercy of God? 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.740 You've forgotten 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.740 how Jesus went to the cross 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.240 for a sinner like you, 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:13.839 like me, 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.500 like us? 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.279 Is it that the gospel 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:18.859 has become familiar 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.619 and blasé 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.839 and no longer real 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.839 and vivid to us? 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.700 What Paul does here, 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.420 the first thing is, 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.740 he says, 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.680 reminds them of God's grace. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:29.240 But that's not all he does. 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.879 He does something else. 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:33.460 And he also tackles 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.320 their pride 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:35.160 and their vanity. 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.240 And Paul tackles 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.720 their pride 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.240 in quite an unusual way. 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.580 He uses sarcasm 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.340 and irony 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.700 to show them 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.680 just how ridiculous 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.760 their pride is. 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:48.040 I don't know 00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:49.020 if you've ever 00:23:49.020 --> 00:23:50.120 experienced this, okay? 00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:52.100 If somebody says 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.640 something really ridiculous, 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.240 and then somebody 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:57.000 imitates those people 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.700 in an exaggerated voice 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.740 to show them 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.340 how ridiculous 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.680 they sound, okay? 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.580 So maybe, 00:24:02.780 --> 00:24:03.560 let me give you an example. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.940 Maybe you're watching 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:06.240 the NBA finals, right? 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.160 And somebody, like, 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:09.020 makes the shot 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:11.140 and they miss the hoop, okay? 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.360 And somebody 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.300 that you're watching 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:13.800 with says, 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.300 that's such an easy shot. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.140 I could have made 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.840 that shot any day, okay? 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.020 And you think, 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:21.380 that's such an easy shot. 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.060 I could have made 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:23.420 that shot any day, right? 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.660 What do you do? 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.740 You're repeating 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.500 what they're saying. 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.460 You're imitating them, 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:29.260 but in an exaggerated voice 00:24:29.260 --> 00:24:31.140 to make them sound ridiculous, okay? 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.820 Does that make sense? 00:24:32.260 --> 00:24:32.780 Or maybe, 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:35.480 you've got two children at home 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.380 and the one, 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.520 your son says to the other son, 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.380 hurry up, 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.200 we're going to be late. 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.220 And the other son says, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:41.980 hurry up, 00:24:42.020 --> 00:24:43.240 we're going to be late, okay? 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.520 Do you get it? 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.040 So sometimes you, 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:50.060 Greta, why are you laughing? 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:50.820 Okay? 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:54.360 Paul is going to do that. 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.800 He's going to use sarcasm 00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:56.360 and irony 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:58.960 to reflect what they're saying 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.780 to show how ridiculous they are. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.000 Now, if you in youth, 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.860 this is no excuse 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:03.620 to be sarcastic 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.000 with your brother and sister, okay? 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.100 No excuse. 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.060 Look at what he says. 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:08.500 Look at verse 8 with me. 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:09.500 He says, 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:10.880 already, 00:25:11.260 --> 00:25:12.480 you have all that you want. 00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:13.420 Already, 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.260 you've become rich without us. 00:25:15.780 --> 00:25:16.460 Without us, 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.860 you've become kings. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.900 And he says, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.340 actually, 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.500 that would be a good idea. 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:22.400 We wish that you were kings 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.779 because then we might share 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.980 some of the rule with you. 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.519 Okay? 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.839 So they're saying, 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.220 we don't need you leaders. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.559 Who are you leaders anyway? 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.940 We've got everything we need. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.980 We rule in life. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.640 We reign. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.019 We don't even need you. 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.539 And Paul says, 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.900 you don't even need us. 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.920 You reign in life. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.319 You're rich. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.500 You've got everything you need. 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.640 And then, 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.180 remember in chapter 1, 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.779 Paul says, 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.099 when God called you, 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.480 you weren't very rich. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.039 You weren't very powerful. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.059 You weren't very strong. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.519 You weren't very honorable, right? 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.079 Well, now look at what he says. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.720 Verse 10. 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.200 We are fools, 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.039 but you are so wise. 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.440 We are weak, 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.339 but you are so strong. 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:02.240 We are held in disrepute. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.039 You are held in honor. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.879 So they are saying, 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.920 we're so wise. 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.940 We're so strong. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.559 We're so honorable. 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.639 We don't need you leaders. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.279 And Paul's saying, 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.299 you are right. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.220 You guys, 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.700 you think you're somebody, right? 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.879 No, really. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.859 You really are somebody. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.619 We're nothing. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.099 You don't need us at all. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.599 And he's showing them, 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.200 what's he doing? 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:22.399 He's showing them how worldly 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.940 and how secular 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:26.039 their thinking has become. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:29.019 Paul's reflecting their own words 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.599 back to them. 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:29.980 He's saying, 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.440 can you guys see 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.879 how ridiculous you sound? 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.360 Can you see how proud you've become? 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.320 How arrogant you've become? 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.760 Can you see how worldly 00:26:39.760 --> 00:26:41.700 and secular you've become? 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:43.440 And he's reflecting his words 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.020 back to them 00:26:44.020 --> 00:26:44.900 to show them 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.400 how ridiculous they are. 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.420 Now, why is he doing that? 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.660 Why is Paul doing this? 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:53.280 He wants to call them away, 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.320 call them back 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.480 from this worldly, 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.640 secular thinking, 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:58.420 this pride and this arrogance 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.600 to humility 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.300 and towards following Christ. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.700 It's kind of like 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.960 if you're swimming on the beach 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:06.180 and there's a rip current, 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.899 a rip tide 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.559 and the lifeguards on the beach 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:08.779 say, 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.519 this is the safe swimming zone. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.960 Swim within these parameters. 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.639 And then they see somebody 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:15.419 drifting into the dangerous waters. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.019 What do they do? 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.159 They blow their whistle 00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.399 and say, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:17.639 hey, 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.319 you come out of the rip current, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.619 come out of the dangerous waters, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.759 come swim here. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.839 Paul is saying to these guys, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.039 you're drifting, 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.299 you're pride and you're arrogance, 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.279 you're drifting into dangerous territory, 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.759 come out of the waters, 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.559 come back to biblical Christianity. 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.440 And what is biblical Christianity? 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.920 Remember that everything you have 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.660 is by grace alone. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:40.299 Come back to Christ 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.480 and the gospel. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.759 And so look what he says 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.660 in verse 14. 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.379 He says, 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.700 I write these things to you, 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.859 not to shame you, 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.339 not to scold you, 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.400 but to admonish you. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:54.019 Admonish you means to warn you, 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.400 my beloved children. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.119 He says, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.779 I'm blowing my whistle, 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.420 come back, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.740 come back to Christ. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.579 Your pride and your arrogance, 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.620 you're drifting away 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.900 from biblical Christianity. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.079 Come back to Christ 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.039 and the gospel. 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.819 Verse 17, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.160 he says, 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.400 that's why I sent Timothy, 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:11.339 my beloved and faithful child, 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:13.519 to remind you 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.920 of how I follow Christ. 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.259 What's Paul doing here? 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:19.640 Friends, 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.539 what Paul is doing 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:22.640 is what all Christian leaders do. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.339 He's not giving them three tips 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.880 on how to be successful in life 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.980 and how to reign in life 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.819 and how to get ahead 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.519 in their career 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.519 and three ways 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.360 to parent their kids. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:32.099 He's calling them back 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.960 to Christ, 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.160 Christ and the gospel. 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.500 And why is that? 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.200 The reason is, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.839 this is Christianity 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.799 in a nutshell. 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.299 To love, 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.420 trust, 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.819 and obey Jesus. 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.740 To love Jesus, 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.799 to trust Jesus, 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.640 to obey Jesus. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.799 That's Christianity, 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.299 discipleship in a sentence. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.079 That's what leaders do. 00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:53.579 We pour ourselves out. 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.519 We serve, 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.059 we shepherd, 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.659 we teach, 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.199 we instruct, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.819 we encourage, 00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:57.339 we correct, 00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:58.919 we call to repentance, 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.039 calling away from 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:02.159 the thinking of the world 00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:03.480 and the attitude of the world, 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.839 calling us to Christ, 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.240 to love, 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.199 trust, 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.519 and obey Jesus. 00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:10.740 And here you see Paul, 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.259 he's doing these two things. 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.639 He's saying, 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.819 come away from 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.019 the thinking of the world. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.939 Come away from 00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:17.039 the attitude of the world. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:17.960 Come away from 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.839 secular hard attitudes. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.500 Come away from 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.299 pride and arrogance 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.700 and follow Jesus. 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.799 Hold on to Jesus. 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.599 Trust, 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.180 love, 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.980 and obey Jesus. 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:28.059 He's calling to these two things. 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:29.399 And these two words, 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.379 what are the biblical words for this? 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.399 Faith and repentance. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.259 Faith and repentance. 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:39.259 Repentance and faith. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.899 In some ways, 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.659 you could say, 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.980 faith and repentance 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.539 are the two 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:48.399 words, 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.399 the two motions, 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:49.940 emotions, 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.000 the two actions 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.380 of the Christian life. 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.200 Faith and repentance, 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.000 repentance and faith. 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.580 The lifelong pattern 00:29:57.580 --> 00:29:58.480 of turning away 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.660 from the kingdom of self, 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.500 the turning to the kingdom of God. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.540 Turning away from 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.780 the patterns of this world, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.860 turning towards 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.900 the patterns of Christ. 00:30:06.300 --> 00:30:07.100 Turning away from 00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:08.220 the thinking and the heart 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.940 and the attitude 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.740 and the idols of this world 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:12.560 to hoping in Christ. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.980 Faith and repentance 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.980 are not just the way 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:17.000 into God's kingdom, 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.680 they're the way 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.560 of God's kingdom. 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.880 Not just the way 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.960 you become a Christian, 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:21.900 they're the way 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.060 you grow as a Christian. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.880 And so Paul here, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.500 he looks at this church 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.080 and he says, 00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:29.180 there's a problem here. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.560 There's pride 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.240 and there's arrogance 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.740 and there's self-sufficiency. 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.500 What do you need? 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.940 You need repentance 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:37.320 and faith. 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.799 You need to turn away 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.480 from self 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:41.560 and turn towards Christ. 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:44.100 What do church leaders do? 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.880 They've got one message. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.120 Friends, 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.639 if you've been here 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.500 the last seven weeks, 00:30:47.979 --> 00:30:48.679 Paul's kind of just said 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.239 the same thing 00:30:49.239 --> 00:30:50.239 for seven weeks in a row, 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.539 right? 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.279 Maybe you're getting 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.199 a bit bored of Corinthians. 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:52.959 Okay, that's okay. 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.339 Paul said one thing. 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.279 Christ and Christ alone. 00:30:56.479 --> 00:30:57.399 Christ and the gospel. 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.399 Christ and grace. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.659 Hold on to Jesus. 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.679 So how does Paul do that? 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:05.139 What is his tools 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.639 that he does? 00:31:05.739 --> 00:31:05.899 Well, 00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.579 the New Testament's 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.459 got lots of things, 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.699 lots of ways 00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:10.219 that we do this, 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.919 but in this passage, 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.839 Paul gives us two. 00:31:11.939 --> 00:31:12.599 And so let's just look 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:14.119 at them very briefly. 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:16.159 Paul does two things. 00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:16.959 The first thing he does 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:19.000 is he uses scripture. 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.739 He uses scripture. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.399 Look at verse six with me. 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:25.099 It's a very tricky passage, 00:31:25.239 --> 00:31:26.099 a very tricky sentence, 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.000 but look what he says. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.359 He says, 00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:28.439 I've applied these things 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.539 to myself and Apollos 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.899 for your benefit, 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.339 brothers, 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:33.719 that you may learn from us 00:31:33.719 --> 00:31:35.739 not to go beyond 00:31:35.739 --> 00:31:36.839 what is written, 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.739 that you may not be puffed up 00:31:38.739 --> 00:31:39.479 in favor of one 00:31:39.479 --> 00:31:40.099 against another. 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:40.959 Now, 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:42.259 what on earth is he saying? 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:44.099 It's an extremely complicated 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:45.079 sentence in Greek, 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.480 but scholars tell us 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.759 what he means here is this. 00:31:48.419 --> 00:31:49.659 Don't go beyond 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.740 what I've quoted 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.480 in the scriptures. 00:31:51.699 --> 00:31:52.919 Remember the scripture 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:54.019 that I've brought to bear. 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.459 Throughout the whole 00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:56.119 of 1 Corinthians, 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.480 Paul keeps on quoting 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.159 scripture, 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.539 left, 00:31:58.659 --> 00:31:58.819 right, 00:31:58.919 --> 00:31:59.179 and center. 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.659 He's quoting the Old Testament, 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.399 Isaiah, 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.099 Jeremiah, 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.839 the Psalms, 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.219 Job. 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.439 He's been quoting scripture 00:32:04.439 --> 00:32:04.980 after scripture 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.579 after scripture. 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.939 And all the time, 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.319 what is the scripture saying? 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.039 He's saying, 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.099 don't boast in yourself, 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.059 boast in Christ. 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.399 Don't hope in yourself, 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.319 hope in Christ. 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.200 The wisdom of this world 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.940 is foolishness, 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.039 but the wisdom of God 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.099 is the one that makes sense. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:20.000 The weakness of man is, 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:22.000 the strength of man is weak, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.920 but the strength of God 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.039 is really what changes you. 00:32:24.399 --> 00:32:25.099 He's been quoting 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:26.700 throughout the whole Old Testament, 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.039 Paul has been bringing 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:29.339 scripture after scripture 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.379 to say, 00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.799 stop trusting 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.819 in the things of the world, 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.039 trust in Christ. 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.200 But he's saying, 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.339 don't take it from me, 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:38.259 listen to what God's word says. 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.500 And so you think 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.200 you're so smart, 00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.599 Corinthians? 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.259 Well, 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.319 look at what God's word 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:43.339 says is real wisdom. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.879 You think that power 00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.839 is attained like this? 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.379 Let's look at what God's word 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.200 says about power. 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.799 You think that you're impressive? 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.059 Look what God says 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.579 is impressive. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.519 Paul keeps on saying, 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.279 don't just take it from me, 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:57.039 look at what the scriptures say, 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.660 look at what God's word says. 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:00.759 Friends, 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.339 this is what all good 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:05.220 church leaders do. 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.359 They say, 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.199 don't listen to me. 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.079 Who am I? 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.559 I've got nothing wise 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.079 to tell you. 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.559 Who cares what I think 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.439 about life 00:33:12.439 --> 00:33:13.379 and how life should work? 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:15.240 Let's listen to what God says. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.659 Friends, 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.919 most of you are way, 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.539 way smarter 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.559 than I'll ever be. 00:33:20.179 --> 00:33:20.679 Who cares 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.459 but what I think? 00:33:22.179 --> 00:33:23.039 And so when we come 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:24.000 to church on Sunday, 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.919 you don't want to hear 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:28.139 what some idiot on stage 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:29.500 has to think about life. 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:30.419 We want to hear 00:33:30.419 --> 00:33:31.719 what does God have to say? 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.199 Which is why 00:33:33.199 --> 00:33:34.459 week in and week out, 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.620 we're opening up the scriptures 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.100 and saying, 00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.420 what is God saying? 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.980 What is Paul saying 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.579 to the Corinthians? 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.039 What is God saying 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.160 to us? 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:44.420 Week in and week out, 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.539 we want to listen, 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.600 read, 00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:47.620 explain, 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.680 understand, 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.279 and apply 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:51.319 what is God's word saying? 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.720 Now, 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.360 what does that mean for us? 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:55.819 Let me just ask you 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.319 one question. 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:58.500 In your CG's, 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.960 are you throwing out 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.860 human wisdom? 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.519 Or are you listening 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.459 to what God is saying? 00:34:04.459 --> 00:34:05.439 Is everyone in the CG 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:05.839 just saying, 00:34:05.939 --> 00:34:06.500 this is what I think, 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.319 this is what I think. 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.579 Or are you saying, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.339 let's see what the scriptures say. 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:12.420 Let's see what God has to say. 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.059 Friends, 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.779 scripture is like a spotlight 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:18.239 that shines through the fog 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.500 and the mist 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:22.099 and shines clarity 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.639 on what really matters. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.000 Scripture is like 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:27.960 a clarion call 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:29.420 through the echo chamber 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.259 of our culture 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:31.300 where we're all 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:32.840 hearing this echo chamber 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.420 of look after yourself, 00:34:34.540 --> 00:34:35.180 impress yourself, 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:35.980 and be more wise 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.680 and more smart. 00:34:37.120 --> 00:34:38.060 Scripture speaks truth 00:34:38.060 --> 00:34:38.340 and says, 00:34:38.540 --> 00:34:39.600 this is what wisdom is. 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.040 This is what power is. 00:34:41.160 --> 00:34:43.040 This is who Christ is. 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.400 And so we listen 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.000 to scripture. 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.780 Here's the second thing 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.420 that Paul does. 00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:50.180 Is he not only applies scripture, 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:52.540 he uses personal example. 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.820 Look at verse 15 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:56.260 and 17 with me. 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:57.620 Paul says, 00:34:57.619 --> 00:35:00.299 although you have 00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:01.420 countless guides 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:02.759 or teachers in Christ, 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:05.199 you do not have many fathers. 00:35:05.799 --> 00:35:08.059 For I became your father 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.739 in Christ Jesus 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.539 through the gospel. 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.259 I urge you then, 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:13.059 be imitators of me. 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.980 This is why I sent Timothy, 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.559 my beloved and faithful child 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.000 and Lord, 00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:18.139 to remind you 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:19.380 of my ways in Christ 00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:20.920 or how I follow Christ 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:22.779 as I teach them everywhere 00:35:22.779 --> 00:35:23.900 in every church. 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:25.099 So Paul says, 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.500 you've got lots of teachers, 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.139 lots of people 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.420 who can tell you 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.099 the right things, 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:31.900 but no one to really show you 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:33.139 how to live the Christian life. 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.619 But follow me, 00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:35.500 imitate me, 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.039 says Paul, 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:37.200 as I show you 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:37.619 what it means 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.840 to follow Jesus. 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:40.720 Friends, 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:41.619 the Christian life 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.519 is so much more 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:44.220 than just head knowledge. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:45.680 Yes, 00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:46.820 we need to be taught 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.740 God's word 00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:48.320 from the scriptures. 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.660 That's extremely important. 00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:50.780 But, 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.240 the Christian life 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:52.979 is more than just 00:35:52.979 --> 00:35:53.899 listening to sermons, 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.500 more than just going 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.419 to Bible studies, 00:35:56.919 --> 00:35:57.959 more than just reading 00:35:57.959 --> 00:35:58.779 Christian books. 00:35:59.479 --> 00:36:00.439 The Christian life 00:36:00.439 --> 00:36:01.299 is what does it mean 00:36:01.299 --> 00:36:02.579 to follow Jesus 00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:05.079 in the real nitty gritty 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.500 areas of life? 00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:08.799 When life is hard, 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.139 what does it mean 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:10.759 to follow Jesus 00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.699 when relationships 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.339 are difficult? 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.759 When you have money 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:14.759 or you've got no money? 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.799 When you're looking 00:36:15.799 --> 00:36:16.559 to retire? 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:18.099 When work is difficult 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:19.219 or colleagues are difficult? 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.619 When you get that job 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.859 or when you lose that job? 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:23.659 When you have children 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:24.259 or when you don't 00:36:24.259 --> 00:36:24.859 have children? 00:36:25.479 --> 00:36:26.819 When life doesn't 00:36:26.819 --> 00:36:27.559 go your way, 00:36:27.919 --> 00:36:28.799 how do you follow 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.879 Jesus then? 00:36:30.959 --> 00:36:31.659 And Paul says, 00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.659 you can't just learn 00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:33.519 that from books, 00:36:33.939 --> 00:36:34.619 you must have 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.699 Christian community. 00:36:36.439 --> 00:36:37.079 You must have 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.899 those around you 00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:38.839 who are showing you 00:36:38.839 --> 00:36:39.719 how to follow 00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:40.619 the Christian life. 00:36:41.939 --> 00:36:42.719 Here's one 00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:43.839 simple application 00:36:43.839 --> 00:36:44.439 for us. 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:46.379 If you're a parent 00:36:46.379 --> 00:36:47.479 here this morning, 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:49.359 it doesn't matter 00:36:49.359 --> 00:36:50.739 how many church services 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:52.119 you take your children to, 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.939 it doesn't matter 00:36:53.939 --> 00:36:55.479 how many VBS programs 00:36:55.479 --> 00:36:56.459 you sign them up for, 00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.839 it doesn't matter 00:36:57.839 --> 00:36:58.619 how many Bibles 00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.219 you buy them 00:36:59.219 --> 00:36:59.739 when their children 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.919 line up their bookshelf 00:37:00.919 --> 00:37:01.519 with Bibles, 00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:03.259 what's really going 00:37:03.259 --> 00:37:04.039 to shape their faith 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:05.319 more than anything else 00:37:05.319 --> 00:37:06.799 is your faith. 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:09.179 And very seldom 00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:10.219 will our children 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:11.500 grow in their faith 00:37:11.500 --> 00:37:12.019 and the love 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.819 of the Lord Jesus 00:37:12.819 --> 00:37:14.399 more than our faith. 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:16.000 We can buy the Bibles, 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:16.699 we can sign them up 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.219 for programs, 00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:17.899 but what our kids 00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.659 really need 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.579 is to see 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:21.119 that our faith 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:22.459 is real to us. 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:23.579 Paul says 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.119 you've got countless 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:24.619 teachers, 00:37:24.799 --> 00:37:25.439 countless guides, 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.679 countless kids 00:37:26.679 --> 00:37:27.719 ministry teachers, 00:37:28.099 --> 00:37:28.379 okay, 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.899 but what you really 00:37:29.899 --> 00:37:30.359 needed 00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:32.000 is someone to show you 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.899 what the Christian life 00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:34.019 is all about. 00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:35.599 So friends, 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.239 let's conclude. 00:37:36.779 --> 00:37:37.859 What has God 00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:38.719 been saying to us 00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:39.119 today? 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:39.859 Well, 00:37:39.959 --> 00:37:40.699 1 Corinthians 4 00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.439 shows us that 00:37:41.439 --> 00:37:42.699 God wants us 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.519 to humbly 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:45.119 receive the leaders 00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:46.139 that He's given us, 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.179 to receive them 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.099 as His servants 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:50.399 and to allow them 00:37:50.399 --> 00:37:51.899 to help us 00:37:51.899 --> 00:37:53.519 to follow Jesus. 00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:54.939 Church leaders, 00:37:55.319 --> 00:37:55.619 pastors, 00:37:55.919 --> 00:37:56.699 CG leaders, 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.439 deacons, 00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:58.939 elders, 00:37:59.439 --> 00:38:00.199 they're not CEOs, 00:38:00.939 --> 00:38:01.319 they're not trying 00:38:01.319 --> 00:38:02.159 to build their own kingdom, 00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.779 they're not calling people 00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:05.379 to elevate themselves, 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:05.659 no, 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.719 they are servants. 00:38:07.419 --> 00:38:08.519 Servants of Christ 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:10.259 to serve the church 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:12.000 and they serve us, 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:12.619 the church, 00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:14.139 best when they're 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.139 faithful to Christ 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:16.799 and they are calling us 00:38:16.799 --> 00:38:18.079 to faith and repentance 00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:20.639 to follow Jesus. 00:38:21.919 --> 00:38:22.980 Let's pray together. 00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:27.099 Father God, 00:38:27.219 --> 00:38:29.019 I must confess 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.899 that sometimes, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.699 as we said earlier, 00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:31.859 your word is 00:38:31.859 --> 00:38:33.519 difficult. 00:38:37.419 --> 00:38:37.939 God, 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:38.599 we see that 00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:41.460 we see church community 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.359 is sometimes difficult. 00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:44.960 2,000 years ago, 00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:45.739 the Christians 00:38:45.739 --> 00:38:46.319 in Corinth 00:38:46.319 --> 00:38:47.319 were struggling 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:47.939 to get along. 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:49.759 There was conflict 00:38:49.759 --> 00:38:50.299 and division 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:52.000 and the conflict 00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:52.460 and division 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:53.339 was because of 00:38:53.339 --> 00:38:54.179 something in their hearts. 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.239 Father, 00:38:56.339 --> 00:38:57.299 we must confess 00:38:57.299 --> 00:38:58.980 that even today, 00:38:59.099 --> 00:39:00.359 21st century Hong Kong, 00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:03.399 that same root 00:39:03.399 --> 00:39:04.439 of pride, 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:05.919 vanity, 00:39:06.919 --> 00:39:07.439 that root 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.119 is in our hearts. 00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:08.440 God, 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:09.940 we have the same 00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:11.099 temptation ourselves. 00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:12.900 And God, 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:14.059 when we find ourselves 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.639 in conflict 00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.519 with others, 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:16.860 it's because of that 00:39:16.860 --> 00:39:17.159 as well. 00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:17.559 Father, 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.159 I pray, 00:39:19.159 --> 00:39:19.960 won't you help us 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.740 to be a community 00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:23.460 that can so treasure 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:24.380 and cherish 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:25.860 the grace of God, 00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:26.840 that can so remember 00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:28.519 that everything we have 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:29.340 is from you, 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.380 that God, 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.460 it'll melt our pride, 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:34.099 it'll crucify 00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:35.559 our self-sufficiency. 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:39.300 It'll humble us, 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:39.599 God, 00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:41.480 and call us back 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:41.840 to you. 00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:46.079 God, 00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:47.079 I pray by your spirit, 00:39:47.179 --> 00:39:48.000 won't you be at work 00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:48.760 in our church 00:39:48.760 --> 00:39:49.579 and in our lives. 00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:51.980 Be at work 00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:52.420 within us, 00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:52.699 God. 00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.400 Help us, 00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:55.559 God, 00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.179 to be a church 00:39:56.179 --> 00:39:57.820 that receives 00:39:57.820 --> 00:39:58.559 your scriptures, 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:00.559 not the word of man, 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.199 not the opinion 00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:01.699 of leaders, 00:40:01.800 --> 00:40:02.400 who cares what 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:02.720 the elders 00:40:02.720 --> 00:40:03.320 and the pastors, 00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:03.800 thank God. 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:04.579 We want to be a church 00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.900 that hears what 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:06.579 you have to say. 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.619 And so won't you help us? 00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:09.059 And then God, 00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:10.240 help us to be a community 00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:12.200 that can set the example, 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.920 that can help one another 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:15.240 in the real nitty-gritty 00:40:15.240 --> 00:40:16.099 areas of life 00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:17.579 to follow you. 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.340 God, 00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:20.079 we need your grace, 00:40:20.180 --> 00:40:20.840 we need your spirit, 00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:21.500 we need your help 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.260 to do these things. 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:23.760 Come and help us, 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.139 I pray. 00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.800 In your great name, 00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:27.300 Amen.