WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:06.780 We're reading from 1 Corinthians 3, 1 and chapter 4 to 2, 1 to 2. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:15.120 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:20.140 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:24.300 And even now you are not ready, for you are still of the flesh. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:30.820 For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in human way? 00:00:31.400 --> 00:00:38.920 For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not being merely human? 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:42.780 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:46.980 Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 00:00:47.480 --> 00:00:51.340 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:58.040 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:05.200 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 00:01:05.880 --> 00:01:07.859 For we are God's fellow workers. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:10.939 You are God's field, God's building. 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:17.520 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation, 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:20.200 and someone else is building upon it. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:29.479 Let each one take care how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:37.599 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:44.099 each one's work will become manifest, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:47.919 and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:53.979 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:02.079 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:08.240 Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's spirit dwells in you? 00:02:08.579 --> 00:02:15.780 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him, for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:20.500 Let no one deceive himself. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:27.500 If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise, 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.579 for the wisdom of this world is folly with God. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:32.160 For it is written, 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:40.040 He catches the wise in their craftiness, and again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:47.220 So let no one boast in men, for all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world, 00:02:47.600 --> 00:02:51.200 or life or death, death, or the present or the future. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:56.800 All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:02:58.480 Chapter 4. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:06.280 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 00:03:06.859 --> 00:03:10.759 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:12.599 This is the word of God. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:14.599 Okay, thank you, Zoe. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.340 Let me pray for us very briefly, and then we'll dive in. 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:21.060 Father, as we come to your word, we want to hear you speaking to us. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.900 We want to know what's on your heart and your mind. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:26.659 We want to be a church that is formed by you and your word. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:28.319 So come and speak to us, I pray, Lord. 00:03:30.019 --> 00:03:34.340 God, if anything that I say is not of you, God, we pray it will just fall away. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:37.420 We want to hear your word to us today. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:39.900 And so speak to us, I pray, in your great name. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:40.840 Amen. 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:49.280 Okay, I think that it's time that I was given an upgraded title. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:53.819 If you know my email signature, at the bottom, the title says Pastor. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:58.039 But I think Pastor is not very impressive, not very noteworthy. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:01.240 And so I'm putting in an application for an upgrade. 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:07.300 And I was thinking of something like Lead Visionary Apostle of Watermark Church. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:12.259 And while we're at it, I think we should just change the name to maybe Watermark Ministries International. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:16.860 Senior Visionary Apostle of Watermark Ministries International. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:17.600 What do you think? 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.840 Yay? 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:19.260 Nay? 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:22.020 Okay, I can hear some nervous laughter. 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:25.379 If that's a little bit excessive, maybe we can negotiate. 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:31.720 I'm okay to settle on something like just Senior Chief Apostle of Watermark Ministries. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.760 Or Lead Prophetic Voice. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:38.860 Or Senior Evangelist Apostle of Watermark Ministries. 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:43.300 Or Lead Apostolic Evangelist. 00:04:43.400 --> 00:04:45.040 Or we can go on and on and on. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:48.860 Chief Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle, etc., etc. 00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:52.480 Now we may think such names are ridiculous. 00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:53.800 And they are. 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:55.620 And just by the way, that's a joke. 00:04:55.700 --> 00:04:56.879 We don't need to change our name. 00:04:57.240 --> 00:04:58.460 Don't worry about that. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:06.019 But all around the world, churches are filled with leaders that have given themselves these ridiculous titles. 00:05:07.039 --> 00:05:08.039 Why is that? 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:10.039 Why do we do that? 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:14.299 Well, one of the reasons is pastors are typically very insecure. 00:05:14.979 --> 00:05:18.560 And we need to find a way to bolster ourselves, to lift ourselves up. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:27.780 We need to find something to grab onto, to make ourselves feel more powerful, more secure, more authoritative, more respected. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:33.300 But I think one of the real questions is, why do churches fall for it? 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.699 I mean, it's one thing to have pastors that give themselves these crazy titles. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:39.819 But why do people in the church actually support that? 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:42.939 Why doesn't anybody say, this is ridiculous? 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:45.659 And what happens when there's disagreements? 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:52.099 What happens when Chief Senior Apostle has a power struggle with Chief Senior Prophet, right? 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:53.259 Then who's going to win? 00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:58.259 I read a story recently of a church in South Africa, earlier this year, 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:01.199 where the police had to be called into the church service, 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:05.259 because there was a fist fight on stage between the two pastors. 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:08.480 This group in the church had a problem with this group, 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:10.740 and this group didn't want these guys preaching, 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:14.159 and this group thought there's no ways we're going to let these guys preach, 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:16.060 and so they're having a fist fight on stage, 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:19.000 and the police had to be called in to separate them. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:23.399 Friends, what happens when there's power struggles, 00:06:23.539 --> 00:06:26.219 and there's fights, and there's divisions in the church? 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:29.400 Well, as we've been reading the book of Corinthians, 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:34.280 we see that something like this, maybe not to that same degree, 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.980 is happening in the church in Corinth. 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:41.140 The church of Corinth is full of divisions, and factions, and fightings, 00:06:41.200 --> 00:06:43.520 and there's this group over here, and they like this leader, 00:06:43.880 --> 00:06:46.740 and there's this group over here, and they like this leader, 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.600 and they can't get along. 00:06:49.440 --> 00:06:53.080 And we know one of the reasons for this is because in the ancient city of Corinth, 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:55.180 there is the cultural idea of patronage. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:56.660 We spoke about this a few weeks ago, 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:03.199 where members of society would attach themselves to someone in society 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:05.800 that had status or position or power. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:07.400 They were called a patron, 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:10.840 and so you as a member of society would follow them, 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:13.280 and devote yourself to them, and attach yourself to them, 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:15.399 and say, I belong to this member of society. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:20.100 I belong to Ed, or Oscar, or Tiffany, right? 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:24.000 And now because I belong to Tiffany, I get given status and power 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.280 because I attach myself to this patron. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:30.320 And so that's what's happening in the church of Corinth. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:32.120 This thinking has come into the church, 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:36.080 and so these members are looking to various leaders, 00:07:36.220 --> 00:07:39.240 those that are impressive or powerful or have high status, 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:41.660 and they're saying, I belong to this leader. 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:42.519 I'm Paul's man. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:43.500 I'm Apollos' man. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.139 I'm Peter's man. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:49.139 And by doing that, they seem it's a way of raising their own status, 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:52.480 their own position, their own power in the church. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.900 And so that's what's going on in this chapter again. 00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:59.400 And so in our passage today, Paul wants to do three things. 00:07:59.400 --> 00:08:02.519 He wants to show them that their thinking is deeply problematic. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:03.879 He says there's a problem here. 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:07.459 He wants to show them how to think about church leaders. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:12.139 And then thirdly, he's going to show them who do we really belong to? 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:14.279 Who do you really belong to? 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.600 If you're a Christian, who do you belong to? 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:17.120 Okay, so let's dive in. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.879 So the first one, what's the problem with their thinking? 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:23.399 Look at verse 1 to 4 with me of your passage. 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:24.199 He says this, 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:29.139 Now I, brothers and sisters, could not address you as spiritual people, 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:33.019 but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:37.639 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:42.199 And even now, you're still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:45.600 For while there is jealousy and strife amongst you, 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:48.679 are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:53.100 For when one says, I follow Paul, and another says, I follow Apollos, 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.240 are you not being merely human? 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.840 Okay, so what's the problem here in the church? 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.240 The problem is there's spiritual immaturity, right? 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:04.180 That they are like spiritual babies in Christ. 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:06.659 He says to him, you're infants in Christ. 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:08.500 You're still babies in your faith. 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.379 And why does he say that? 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:15.240 Because their thinking, their actions, their behavior, 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:17.840 in fact, their heart attitude, 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:23.539 doesn't correspond with how God wants him to behave, 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:26.700 but with the thinking of the world, what he calls the flesh. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:30.379 He says, you're not of God's spirit, you're of the flesh. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:31.140 Okay? 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:35.160 And so he says, being of the flesh means our sinful nature, 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:37.560 our fallen nature, our selfish desires. 00:09:38.140 --> 00:09:40.520 So he says, you guys are not spiritually mature, 00:09:40.640 --> 00:09:41.520 you're spiritually babies, 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:44.740 because you're still acting, behaving like you did before you were Christians. 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:48.500 Now this would have been hugely offensive to the Corinthians, 00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:51.960 because they thought of themselves as very spiritually mature. 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:56.400 Because in their church services, there was lots of spiritual things going on. 00:09:56.900 --> 00:09:58.080 So there were spiritual gifts, 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.860 there's this person has a word of knowledge, 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:01.200 and this person's interpreting, 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:03.220 and this person's praying in tongues, 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:04.820 and this person has a prophetic word. 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.740 There's lots of spiritual activity, 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:10.080 and they thought of themselves, look how spiritually mature we are. 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.160 Look how wise we are, sophisticated. 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:14.000 We are so spiritually mature. 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:15.420 Look how God is using us. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.879 And Paul says, actually, just look at your conduct. 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:20.599 Look at your relationship. 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:22.379 Look at your heart. 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:25.519 Look at the jealousy, and the strife, and the fighting, 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:26.740 and the conflict that's going on. 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.399 You guys are babies. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.099 You're not mature at all. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:32.819 I could not address you as spiritual people, 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:35.360 as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 00:10:36.579 --> 00:10:39.139 Now here we learn a very important lesson. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.620 And the lesson is this. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:46.679 Spiritual maturity is never defined by how long you've been a Christian, 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.919 or how busy you are with Christian activity, 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:52.560 or how much you know in your head. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:57.620 It's almost always defined by the condition of your heart. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:00.419 But how much you are surrendered to Christ, 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:03.620 and how Christ and the gospel is shaping your life, 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:09.159 so that you start to live, and act, and behave, and think like Jesus. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:13.240 So some people have been Christians for 30, 40 years, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:15.879 or very busy with church activity, 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:18.559 or know a lot of things in their mind, 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.740 but actually they're still babies in Christ. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:23.259 They're still spiritually infants, immature. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:27.120 And Paul says, maturity is not defined by those things. 00:11:27.219 --> 00:11:29.819 It's by how much your heart is shaped by Christ, 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:31.519 so that you start to live like Him, 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:34.079 and think like Him, and act like Him. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.639 And so here's the problem. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.939 And even though these Corinthians think that they're very impressive, 00:11:40.699 --> 00:11:42.299 actually their faith is immature, 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:45.019 because it's leading to all sorts of divisions, 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.399 and conflicts, and fighting. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:49.120 And so look at what Paul says at the bottom. 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.059 Look at verse 18 at the end. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:51.539 He says, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:56.139 If anyone amongst you thinks that he's wise in this age, 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.019 according to thinking of this generation, 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.480 let him become a fool, 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:01.879 that he may become truly wise, 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.460 for the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:09.100 So Paul's showing them that their thinking is upside down, right? 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:10.159 They think they're smart, 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.039 but actually they're unimpressive. 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.039 So then he wants to say, 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.379 Okay, well if that's the problem, 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:17.960 how should we think about church leaders? 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:18.720 Okay? 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.860 And here he's going to say two things. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.659 First thing he says is this, 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:26.279 church leaders are not all that impressive. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:27.299 Okay? 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.199 So remember they're saying, 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.199 Paul's impressive. 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:30.399 No, Paulus is impressive. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.819 No, I think Peter's impressive. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.579 And he says, 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.860 No, they're actually not that impressive. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:36.120 Look at what he says here at verse 5. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.259 He says, 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.559 What then is Apollos? 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:39.919 What then is Paul? 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.500 Who is Kevin anyway? 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.259 Okay? 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:43.220 That's a great question. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:45.919 How should we think about these church leaders and pastors? 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:47.639 Well, he tells us, 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:49.100 Servants, 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.120 that's who they are. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.419 Servants through whom you believed, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.039 and as the Lord assigned. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.379 I, Paul, 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.960 planted the seed of the gospel. 00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:58.539 Apollos watered it. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:01.019 But God gave the growth. 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.279 So, 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.939 neither he who plants, 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.139 nor he who waters, 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:06.340 is anything. 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:09.159 But God gives the growth. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.240 Okay? 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.840 So sometimes, 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:14.039 people look at pastors, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.519 and they think, 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:14.720 Okay, 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:17.059 those are special people. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.399 They've got some kind of special power, 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.840 some kind of special connection to God. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:24.780 And if I can align myself with them, 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.259 or get them to pray for me, 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:26.879 or bless me, 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:27.879 then I'm, 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.139 you know, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.300 God's going to really bless me. 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.220 So, 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:32.240 this happens from time to time. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.740 People sometimes come to me after the service, 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:35.500 and say, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.180 Okay, 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.800 my child's got some big exams, 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:41.180 and I really need them to get into that Ivy League university. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.680 Please will you pray for them? 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:42.960 Okay? 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.220 I need you to pray. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.600 And this will happen three, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.580 four weeks in a row, 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:46.860 right? 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:48.940 Please pray a special prayer for my child. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.420 And the thinking is, 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:51.139 Okay, 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.160 I as a normal Christian, 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.100 I can't pray for them. 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:53.899 But you, 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.639 you the pastor, 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.120 you've got a special connection. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.600 Your prayers are more powerful than mine. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.259 Right? 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.019 Do you see what I'm saying? 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.060 And Paul says, 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.340 No, 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:01.620 no, 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:01.920 no. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.540 Who are we? 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.580 We are merely servants. 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:07.759 Servants through whom you believed. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.300 Look what Paul says. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.519 He says, 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.680 I planted the seed, 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:12.240 Apollos watered it, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.220 but where does the power lie? 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.360 Where does the growth happen? 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:15.759 Where does, 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:19.240 what actually causes change in anybody's life? 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.600 It's God. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.139 God is the one who brings about the growth. 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.700 God is the one who, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.899 who changes lives. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.039 God by his spirit is the one who renews us, 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.600 and restores us, 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.080 and heals us, 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.620 and redeems us, 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.039 and changes us. 00:14:36.680 --> 00:14:38.320 God is the one who saves us. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:42.220 Any real life will change your spiritual power in your life, 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:45.779 it's not because the leaders have got power that we lay our hands on you, 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.039 and now there's supernatural power. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.220 No, 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.779 it's God that does it. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.139 The leaders job is just servants, 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:51.440 right? 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.759 It's God's spirit who reveals the gospel, 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:55.100 as Neil's told us last week. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:58.360 It's God's spirit who opens our eyes to understand the gospel. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:01.500 It's God's spirit that changes our lives, 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:03.399 and leads us to repentance. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.600 Neither he who plants, 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.419 nor he who waters is anything. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.899 It's God who brings the change. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.819 And so the Corinthians are saying, 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.100 I belong to Paul, 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.439 I belong to Apollos, 00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:18.019 as a means of elevating their status, 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:21.459 of somehow attaining some kind of power or authority. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.559 And Paul says, 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.459 who are we anyway? 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:24.699 We're nothing. 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.079 We're nothing. 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.480 We're just servants. 00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:29.759 In fact, 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.220 look at what he says in verse 9. 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.039 I love this. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.459 He says, 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.480 for we, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.960 he's talking about the apostles, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.580 we are workers, 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.680 but you, 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.420 you are God's field. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:41.000 You are God's building. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.040 I think that's amazing. 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.300 He says, 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.340 who are we the leaders? 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:45.639 Well, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.300 we're like farm laborers. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.100 We're construction workers, 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.460 right? 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.759 But you guys, 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:52.840 you are really the impressive one. 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.560 So think about this, 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:54.800 okay? 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:59.480 Think about what is the most impressive building in Hong Kong. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:00.820 Okay, 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.580 I'll tell you the answer. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.480 It's Bank of China, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:02.900 right? 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.400 If you work for another bank, 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.620 sorry to disappoint you. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.840 Bank of China, 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.620 most impressive building in Hong Kong, 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:09.940 right? 00:16:10.400 --> 00:16:10.700 I mean, 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.100 every, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.560 every skyline picture, 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.759 if someone's going to draw the skyline of Hong Kong, 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:16.759 what is the one building that must be there? 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.460 It's the Bank of China building, 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:18.740 okay? 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.460 And the Admiralty. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.220 It's so iconic. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.580 It's amazing. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:26.040 We all know who designed it, 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.280 right? 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.720 Who was the architect behind it? 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.420 I. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.620 M. 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:28.920 Pei, 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.400 the great Chinese American architect, 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.860 but here's the question. 00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:37.940 Does anybody know the builders that actually worked on the construction site? 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:40.560 Anybody know the laborers, 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.020 construction workers? 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:45.200 Anyone know who drove the concrete mixer, 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.020 or, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.240 you know, 00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.920 put up that panel of glass, 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:50.940 or actually did any of the actual work? 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.960 Nobody knows them. 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:55.720 And it was built 35 years ago. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.340 Presumably, 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.360 many of those workers have actually died. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:01.000 Anybody see all their names in the newspaper? 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:01.700 Saying, 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:01.840 oh, 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:04.120 we mourn the loss of this great construction worker, 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:04.400 who, 00:17:04.620 --> 00:17:04.799 you know, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.860 worked on the building. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.240 Anyone, 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:10.840 any government official announced the death of some poor construction worker? 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.180 No. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.940 Nobody knows who they were. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.779 Nobody cares about them. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.819 They were just laborers, 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.140 right? 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.440 But the building, 00:17:18.540 --> 00:17:19.240 that's impressive. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.960 Here's the point, 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:22.300 right? 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.780 The designer, 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.460 the architect, 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.920 we all know who he was. 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:27.120 He gets on it. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:27.780 It was his idea. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.960 He's someone special. 00:17:30.560 --> 00:17:31.680 But the workers, 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.540 the builders, 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.259 the laborers, 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.380 nobody cares about them. 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:37.200 Nobody stands on the foreshore of TST, 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.500 and looks across the harbor, 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.759 and sees the building lit up, 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.200 and thinks, 00:17:41.800 --> 00:17:42.100 wow, 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.620 those workers are amazing. 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.400 Nobody does that. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.180 And the point is this. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:51.580 The building doesn't exist to make the workers look good. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:54.800 The workers exist to make the building look good. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.700 Okay? 00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:56.940 Now, 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.000 what does Paul say here? 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:58.980 He says, 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.360 we, 00:17:59.500 --> 00:17:59.700 we, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.420 we're the leaders. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.540 We're just workers. 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.580 We're just workers. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.240 But you, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.960 you are God's building. 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:07.200 You're the one that people must look at and say, 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:09.019 look at how amazing God is. 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:09.560 Oh, 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:09.940 and for us, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.060 we will just fade in the background. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.980 Who cares about us? 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:14.259 But when people look at the church, 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.440 people should say, 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:15.900 wow, 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.660 God is amazing. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.740 Look at what he's done with those people. 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.740 We'll take another example. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.279 Vineyards, 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.460 right? 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.039 Think of those, 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.519 those French vineyards, 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.559 grow the most amazing wine, 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:28.379 that sells for crazy amounts of money. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.079 Okay, 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.059 maybe you know who's the, 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.359 the head winemaker. 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:31.819 Okay, 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.420 he's famous, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.640 right? 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.420 Or she's famous. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.039 But anybody know who the, 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.119 the workers are, 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.460 the famous farm laborers? 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:39.039 Nobody cares about them. 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:41.480 Because their job isn't to look impressive, 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.539 it's to make impressive wine. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.519 Look what Paul says. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.700 We are workers, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.539 we are laborers, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.519 we're nothing special. 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.519 God is where the power lies. 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.059 Verse seven. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.980 So neither he who plants, 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.819 nor he who waters is anything. 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:57.259 It's God who gives the growth. 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.379 So leaders are not that impressive, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.759 right? 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.099 But then, 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.139 maybe, 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.000 maybe I'm, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.539 maybe I'm pushing it a bit too far. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.180 Because on the one hand, 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.579 leaders are not that impressive, 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.700 they're almost like nothing. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.099 But on the other hand, 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.639 Paul says, 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.399 but they're not quite nothing, 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.000 because actually, 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.199 they're not unimportant. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.779 The leaders, 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.759 and their job, 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.019 is very important, 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.759 because how they build, 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.099 has a very important, 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:22.259 has important implications. 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.139 Right? 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:24.639 So again, 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.840 think of the building, 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.060 right? 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.259 The laborers and the builders, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.940 on the Bank of China building. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:30.940 Okay? 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.220 Even though nobody knows, 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:33.880 who they were, 00:19:34.520 --> 00:19:34.780 nobody, 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.700 can you hear? 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:35.940 Yeah? 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.840 Nobody remembers their name, 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.320 just think how important, 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.040 their job is. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.320 Just think if, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.960 one of them cuts the corners, 00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:45.620 or decides to buy cheap materials. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.620 Or, 00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.759 they look at this wall, 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:48.280 and they think, 00:19:48.780 --> 00:19:50.140 that wall looks a little bit skew, 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.380 but, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:50.880 ah, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.440 it doesn't matter, 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:52.320 no one will notice. 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:53.100 Or, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.940 they get a supply of bolts, 00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:55.440 that come in, 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:55.680 right? 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.120 And they think, 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.080 we may not use bolts, 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.820 that are this long, 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.380 these bolts are only this long. 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.020 Ah, 00:20:00.040 --> 00:20:00.540 it doesn't matter, 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.680 no one's really going to notice, 00:20:01.780 --> 00:20:03.040 it's behind the facade anyway. 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.480 What's going to happen? 00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:06.540 It's going to be a catastrophe, 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:07.020 right? 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:09.360 When that building is tested, 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.100 when a typhoon comes, 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.360 or, 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:11.680 okay, 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.420 we don't have earthquakes, 00:20:12.520 --> 00:20:13.380 imagine we have earthquakes, 00:20:13.780 --> 00:20:14.840 what's going to happen? 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:17.100 It's going to be a disaster, 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:18.919 and people's lives, 00:20:18.959 --> 00:20:20.199 are going to be in real danger. 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.439 And so, 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.980 the same is true for the church. 00:20:24.459 --> 00:20:26.000 Church leaders are not everything, 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:26.859 in some ways, 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:28.219 they're almost nothing, 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.980 but they're not quite nothing, 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:32.439 because their job is very important. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.599 And how they go about their work, 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:36.500 has various serious consequences. 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:36.819 So, 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.419 look at what Paul says in verse 10. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.559 He says, 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:41.019 according to the grace of God, 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.079 that was given to me, 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:44.159 like a skilled master builder, 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:45.439 I laid a foundation. 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.839 And someone else, 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:48.179 is now building upon it. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:48.939 So, 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.839 take care, 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.539 let each one take care, 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.159 how he builds upon it. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.079 Verse 12. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:54.819 Now, 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:56.459 if anyone built on that foundation, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.099 with gold, 00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.659 or silver, 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.919 or precious stones, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.759 or wood, 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.099 or hay, 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:00.539 or straw, 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.899 each one's work, 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.299 will become manifest, 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:03.919 revealed. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.619 For the day of Christ, 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.599 will disclose it. 00:21:06.959 --> 00:21:08.819 Because it will be revealed by fire, 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.459 and the fire will test, 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.619 what sort of work it is. 00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:12.439 So, 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.779 he's saying, 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.179 ministry leaders, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.759 all their work, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.539 is going to be tested. 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:18.519 And it might be proven, 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.919 to all be in vain. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.439 It might look good, 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.419 it might look impressive, 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.539 but one day, 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.419 it's going to be exposed. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.139 And then, 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:25.659 you're going to see, 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.639 how important it really was. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.740 In fact, 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.279 he actually says, 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.019 it's more serious, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.339 because, 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.599 look at verse 16. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.720 He says, 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.500 the stakes get higher and higher. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.359 Do you not know that you, 00:21:36.699 --> 00:21:37.240 that word you, 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:37.859 is plural, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.500 not singular. 00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.119 So, 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.000 you all, 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.579 are God's temple, 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:44.019 and God's spirit dwells within you, 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.480 okay, 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.619 within us as the church. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.500 We are God's temple. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.980 If anyone destroys God's temple, 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.119 God will destroy him. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.740 For God's temple, 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.279 the church, 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:54.960 is holy, 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.339 and you are that temple. 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.759 So, 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.019 he's saying, 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:01.099 leaders who build towards themselves, 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.720 who think and act, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.059 according to their sinful nature, 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.419 according to worldly wisdom, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:07.639 according to what makes them look good, 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:08.220 or impressive. 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.639 He says, 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:11.980 not only are they going to build a monument, 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.299 to their own futility, 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.559 actually, 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.379 one day, 00:22:15.439 --> 00:22:16.419 they're going to find themselves, 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.939 at enmity with God. 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.240 Because they, 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.339 they're going to build in a way, 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.740 that's going to come crumbling down, 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.099 and they're going to have to answer, 00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:24.000 to God himself. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:27.119 And so, 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.519 leaders are not everything, 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.940 almost nothing, 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.980 but not unimportant. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.160 And so, 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.079 the question is this, 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:33.880 how, 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.859 how should we build church? 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:37.099 What makes a strong, 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.220 and healthy church? 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.039 Well, 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.240 how do we not, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.940 how do we build the kind of church, 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.019 that can stand, 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.000 what do the Corinthians need, 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.079 to think, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.180 so that the church won't get blown over, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.380 when difficulty comes, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.339 but it can stand, 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:52.460 not only external pressure, 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.200 and persecution, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.740 and opposition, 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.740 but internal division, 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.259 and conflict? 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.559 How do we, 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.720 build the church, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.799 so that not only, 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:01.339 can we stand outside pressures, 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.240 but internal, 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.240 sinful nature, 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.059 and immaturity, 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.720 and conflict, 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.279 and division? 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:06.299 Well, 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.000 look at what he says, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.400 look at verse 10. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.400 He says, 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.319 I laid a foundation, 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.160 and now someone else, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.400 is building upon it. 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.359 Let each take care, 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.299 how he builds, 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:17.980 verse 11, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.539 for no one, 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.740 can lay a foundation, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.339 other than that, 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.140 which is laid, 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:25.320 which is Jesus Christ. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.320 Paul says, 00:23:27.800 --> 00:23:29.420 this is the foundation. 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.420 It's like, 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:32.040 he's mapping out the building, 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:32.520 and he's saying, 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.840 I laid the foundation, 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.600 I came with the message of Christ, 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.220 and the gospel, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:38.339 I came to tell you about Jesus, 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.940 and don't think, 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.180 okay, 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.480 now we can move on from there, 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.860 now let's go build over here. 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.140 Okay, 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.360 that was elementary, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.860 that was good to get us going, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.839 now let's, 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.440 let's move on to more important things. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.640 He says, 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:48.819 no, 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:48.960 no, 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.059 no, 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.120 no, 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:50.279 this is, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:52.639 these are the boundary lines, 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.839 this is the cornerstone, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.559 build on this, 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.759 and nothing else, 00:23:57.399 --> 00:23:58.259 on Christ, 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.579 and the message, 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.539 of the gospel. 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.539 The message that Jesus, 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.379 is God in human form, 00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.799 who came to, 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.859 die on the cross, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.220 to, 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.220 rescue, 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.940 and forgive sinners like us, 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.980 like me, 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:12.139 like you, 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.160 that Jesus came to, 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.339 forgive us, 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.720 and to restore us, 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.019 and to, 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.099 bring us back, 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.940 into relationship with him. 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.820 That message, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.000 building on that, 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:23.720 and remembering that, 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.320 that's how the church, 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.039 withstands, 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.779 trials, 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.400 and challenges, 00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.259 and difficulties, 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.680 how the gospel, 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.620 shapes the church. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:30.880 And so, 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.519 remember, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:33.140 at the end of chapter 2, 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.620 Paul writes, 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:33.980 and he says, 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.680 he says, 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.039 brothers, 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:36.160 when I came to you, 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.759 proclaiming the testimony of God, 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.440 I didn't come with, 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.539 lofty speech, 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.580 or eloquent words, 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:42.380 I decided to forget, 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.740 about everything else, 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.320 except, 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.860 Jesus Christ, 00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:46.840 and him, 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.779 crucified. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.620 This is, 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.360 what the church stands on. 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:53.180 Stands and falls on, 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.580 this conviction, 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.600 this message. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.460 See, 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:00.059 the background here is, 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.700 the church in Corinth, 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.120 is having conflict with Paul. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.420 And, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:06.880 some people in the church, 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.740 are saying, 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.000 you know that Paul guy, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.160 ah, 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.600 let's move on from him, 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:11.759 right? 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.200 He's not such a good speaker, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.240 he's a bit slow, 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.779 and he's not that smart. 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.660 Let's move on, 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.140 let's move on to other guys. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.440 Apollos, 00:25:19.520 --> 00:25:21.080 he's a far more eloquent speaker. 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:22.500 And some people in the church, 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:22.740 are saying, 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:22.920 no, 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.100 no, 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.140 Paul planted the church, 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.420 we can't just abandon him now, 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.580 and that's causing the division, 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:26.920 right? 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:27.580 So, 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.300 some people want to forget about Paul, 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.440 and others want to stick with him. 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:32.540 And Paul is saying this, 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.320 he's saying, 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:35.520 you can move on to other people, 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:37.320 that are far more eloquent than me, 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:39.400 far more smarter than me, 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.560 far more brilliant than me, 00:25:41.780 --> 00:25:44.140 far more easy to listen to, 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:46.900 but you will never find somebody, 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:48.940 that will preach a better gospel than me. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.860 You'll never find anybody, 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:52.780 that could build more solidly, 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.860 because what have I done? 00:25:54.280 --> 00:25:55.560 I've built on Christ. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.400 There's a funny story, 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.840 Charles Spurgeon, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.900 greatest preacher 200 years ago, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.580 he was a young pastor, 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:03.800 right? 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.480 So in his 20s, 00:26:04.520 --> 00:26:05.340 he was a pastor's church, 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.220 and one day, 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:09.600 he walks into the prayer meeting at church, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.759 and his grandfather, 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.219 is leading the prayer meeting. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.939 And so he walks in, 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.639 and just as the prayer meeting is starting, 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.959 and his grandfather from the stage says, 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:18.439 ah, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.599 here is my son, 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.039 here is my grandson, 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.319 Charles Spurgeon. 00:26:22.719 --> 00:26:23.039 He says, 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:24.719 he can preach better than me, 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:27.579 but he will never preach a better gospel than me, 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:28.119 right? 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.359 And it's a funny little story, 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.219 but it's so true. 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:33.740 You can get guys that preach way better, 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.059 I mean, 00:26:34.219 --> 00:26:35.240 let's just be honest, 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.519 right? 00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:35.899 Okay, 00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:37.399 you are stuck with me and Niels. 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.279 Sorry, 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:38.899 okay? 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.560 I'm telling you now, 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:43.060 you can find a hundred people in Hong Kong, 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:44.019 that will preach better than us. 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.460 That's true. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.480 You will never find anyone, 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:48.220 that can preach a better gospel. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:50.019 Not because I preach well, 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:51.500 but because the message, 00:26:52.540 --> 00:26:54.180 Christ and Christ crucified. 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:55.680 And that's what Paul says, 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:55.860 he says, 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.060 okay, 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.320 fine, 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.759 Apollos, 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:56.980 yeah, 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:57.980 he's a better speaker than me. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.200 Sure, 00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.620 you can go with him. 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.580 But there's one thing I want to ask of you. 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.259 One thing, 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.980 is he going to tell you about Jesus? 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.300 And if he is, 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.580 okay, 00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:05.980 great. 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.800 If he's not, 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.700 you're building a shaky foundation. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.220 And so friends, 00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:10.900 here's the point. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.740 What makes a church good, 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.300 or strong, 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.840 or healthy, 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.320 or mature, 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:16.800 is not how eloquent the speakers are, 00:27:17.040 --> 00:27:17.800 how dynamic, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.580 or popular, 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.259 or funny, 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:20.360 or wince-en they are. 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:21.660 The question is, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.040 what are they building on? 00:27:23.540 --> 00:27:25.380 And what are they pointing us towards? 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.800 Are they building, 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.880 are they pointing us towards Christ and the gospel, 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:30.920 or are they drawing people towards themselves? 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.420 Are they building on the message, 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:38.220 are they reminding us that Christ and Christ alone is our only hope in life and death? 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:41.519 Or are they appealing to the wisdom of this world, 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.360 and the thinking of this age? 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:47.620 Are they trying to be wise or impressive according to world standards? 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:50.479 Or are they trusting in Christ and the Bible? 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:53.859 Are they teaching us God's word, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:56.959 knowing that God's word and God's spirit work together? 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:59.579 Or are they teaching us their own ideas, 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.039 the wisdom of this world? 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.119 Friends, 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:06.519 are they calling us out of spiritual immaturity to maturity by saying, 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.859 focus on Christ? 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:11.759 Are they unifying us around Jesus and the gospel? 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:15.299 Or are they sowing division by thinking worldly thinking? 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:18.440 And so how should we think about church leaders? 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.140 Well, 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.700 on the one hand, 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.759 they're not that special. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.420 They're just farm laborers. 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.460 They're construction workers. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.440 Who cares about them? 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.859 But on the other hand, 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.920 they're not unimportant, 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:31.960 because the consequence of their work and how they build has serious implications. 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.640 Okay, 00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:34.440 so, 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:36.440 what are the implications of this? 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.640 Well, 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:38.819 let me just give us three brief implications. 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.660 The first one is this. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:43.700 don't idolize your leaders, 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:46.259 but do choose your leaders wisely. 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:46.960 Okay, 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.420 and this is especially for the youth. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:48.860 Okay, 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:51.019 it's true for all of us. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.180 At some stage, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.060 you may move overseas. 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:55.259 Maybe your company relocates you to Singapore, 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.100 or Australia, 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:57.900 or Canada. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:58.759 Okay, 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.960 and just by the way, 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.620 if that ever happens, 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.920 you have to come and ask our permission, 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.460 because we don't release you easily. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.340 Okay, 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:04.860 that's a joke. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.420 That's a joke. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.460 But let's say you've got to move overseas, 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:10.799 and you've got to find a church. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.180 Or let's say you're in high school, 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.319 and you're about to graduate, 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:15.840 and you're going to go to uni somewhere overseas, 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:17.279 and your first month, 00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:18.340 you're going to choose a church. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.600 What are the criteria? 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.579 How are you going to choose a church? 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:23.860 Friends, 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.559 this is what Corinthians tells us. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.779 Don't idolize your leaders. 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.160 They might not be that impressive. 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:30.060 But find a church 00:29:30.060 --> 00:29:31.420 that will tell you about Jesus. 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:33.060 That will week in, 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.320 and week out, 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.180 remind you again, 00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:37.259 and again, 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.180 and again, 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:40.240 your hope in life and death, 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.019 and in this world, 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.620 is Christ alone. 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.980 And maybe the music's not that great, 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:46.540 and the hall's not that great. 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.080 That's fine. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.320 Don't worry about that. 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.720 But week in, 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.779 and week out, 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.320 they're going to say, 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.240 don't look at me. 00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.920 Look to Christ. 00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:54.840 Christ is enough. 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.680 Don't idolize your leaders, 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.920 but choose your leaders well. 00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.460 Here's the second thing. 00:30:00.040 --> 00:30:01.400 For those of us who are leaders, 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.720 or aspire to be leaders, 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.960 maybe you're a CG leader, 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.880 or you're a deacon, 00:30:05.040 --> 00:30:05.759 or you're a missionary, 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:08.140 or maybe you want to be a pastor one day, 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.580 or you want to be a church planter, 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.880 here's the question. 00:30:11.560 --> 00:30:13.019 What is the fruit of your ministry? 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:16.759 How mature are the people in your CG at the moment? 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.440 In your CG, 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:20.400 do you dispense worldly wisdom, 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:23.140 or are you pointing people to Christ and the gospel, 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.779 and the word? 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.980 Are people in your CG growing? 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:28.700 Are they developing spiritual maturity? 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.620 Are you as a leader, 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.680 pointing them towards yourself, 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.839 or towards Christ? 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.680 Here's the third question. 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:40.019 Maybe you are someone that's been hurt by church before. 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:44.099 Maybe you've been mistreated by church leaders in the past, 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:47.220 and you struggle to trust church leaders. 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.880 Oh man, 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.140 that is way too common, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.460 right? 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:53.819 What would Paul say to us? 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:57.019 I think Paul would say something like this. 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.420 He'd say, 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:59.579 the church that you're attending, 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:02.400 are those leaders building towards themselves? 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:05.240 Are they asking you to be more devoted, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.519 more disciplined, 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:08.579 to give more to the church, 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.660 and the church leaders? 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:12.420 Are they asking you to serve the church leaders, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.039 and their little kingdom, 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.120 or their endeavor? 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:18.079 Or are they pointing away from themselves, 00:31:18.179 --> 00:31:18.339 and say, 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:18.979 don't look to me, 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.759 look to Christ? 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:22.759 If they are building towards their own kingdom, 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.239 be very wary, 00:31:24.739 --> 00:31:26.399 because they will take advantage of you. 00:31:26.479 --> 00:31:28.439 And when their kingdom comes crumbling down, 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.559 they will abuse you, 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.219 and blame you. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.479 But if they are able to say, 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.399 don't look to me, 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.519 look to Jesus, 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.179 maybe, 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.739 those leaders, 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:39.439 you can let them serve you, 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.779 by pointing you to Christ. 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.220 In other words, 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.779 leaders are always tempted, 00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.740 to build their own kingdom. 00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:47.279 That's a very shaky foundation. 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:49.559 But if they want to serve you, 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.539 by praying for you, 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.759 and pointing you towards Christ, 00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.819 maybe let them do that, 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:56.339 because that's how spiritual maturity takes place. 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:57.579 Okay. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.559 Are you tracking with me? 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.220 Okay. 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.379 So Paul's doing three things. 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:03.660 He wants to help them expose their wrong thinking. 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.619 Secondly, 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.420 he wants to help them think about church leaders. 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.399 Third thing is this. 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:10.059 He wants to show us who we belong to. 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.460 Okay. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:12.039 I said reorganization, 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.440 organize the chart org, 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.839 but let's think about this way. 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:17.339 He wants to show us who we really belong to. 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.619 This will be quick. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.220 Look at verse 21 with me. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.279 Paul says this. 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:25.319 Let no one boast in men, 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:27.519 for all things are yours, 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.339 whether Paul, 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.000 or Apollos, 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.619 or Cephas, 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.319 or the world, 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:30.859 or life, 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.339 or death, 00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:32.159 the present, 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.839 or the future, 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.019 all things belong to you. 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:37.139 And you are Christ's, 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:39.059 and Christ is God's. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.159 Remember the Corinthians, 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.319 what are they saying? 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.039 They're saying, 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.139 I belong to Paul. 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.179 I belong to Apollos. 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.299 I belong to Cephas. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.539 And Paul says, 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.220 no, 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:49.919 you don't. 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.559 You belong to Christ. 00:32:52.419 --> 00:32:52.859 We, 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.599 the leaders, 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.599 belong to you. 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.119 You don't belong to us. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.639 You belong to Jesus. 00:32:58.379 --> 00:33:01.119 We are merely servants who belong to you 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:03.659 to help you hold on to Christ. 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:04.660 So, 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.600 they try to hold on to all these leaders, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.940 and they're finding their identity, 00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:09.580 by which leader they're attached to. 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.080 And he says, 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.540 drop the leaders. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:16.480 Your identity is found in the fact that you belong to Jesus. 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.600 If you're a Christian, 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:20.060 who do you belong to? 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:22.140 You don't belong to Watermark Church. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:24.540 You don't belong to me or anyone else. 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:26.400 You belong to Christ. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.440 Your life is secure in Christ. 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:30.400 Christ is holding on to you. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.140 And friends, 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:33.799 insecure people are often looking around 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:36.400 for something else to prop up their ego, 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.559 to prop them up, 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.880 to give them a sense of security. 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:39.960 Paul says, 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.799 don't look around. 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.880 Look up. 00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:43.120 Look up. 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:45.240 And who do you belong to? 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:47.320 The one who died on the cross for you. 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:50.160 The one who went through hell for you, 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.519 and has risen, 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:53.660 and will live for all eternity. 00:33:55.580 --> 00:33:55.940 Jesse, 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:58.000 maybe we can get the chart up here. 00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:58.620 Friends, 00:33:58.680 --> 00:34:00.680 many people think that the structure of the church 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.740 looks something like this, 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:01.960 right? 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:04.140 So you've got Jesus at the top, 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.940 and then just under Jesus, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.740 you have the leader, 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.340 and then under the leaders, 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.320 you have the congregation. 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:11.159 And the congregation serve the leaders, 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:12.840 and the leaders serve Jesus. 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:13.920 Well, 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.380 this is what Paul's actually saying. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:15.960 He's saying, 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.099 no, 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.340 there's Jesus at the top. 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:17.740 Okay, 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.360 we've got the next one. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.940 You've got Jesus at the top, 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.260 and you've got the church. 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:23.760 And the church belongs to Jesus. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.099 And underneath the congregation, 00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.119 you've got these servants. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:31.059 And their job is to help the congregation hold on to Jesus. 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.940 You don't belong to us. 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.699 We belong to you. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.059 You belong to Jesus. 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.119 Friends, 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.839 if you're in Christ, 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:40.019 you have everything you need. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:42.739 So abandon the petty tribal differences, 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.500 the arguments, 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.339 the jealousies. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.480 Throw yourself into Christ. 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:48.259 Christ is all you need, 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.400 and you have him. 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.980 So friends, 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.820 what should my email signature be? 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.480 Should we change it? 00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:56.260 Let's go for an upgrade. 00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:58.579 How about chief servant? 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:01.019 Senior laborer. 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:03.000 Senior construction worker. 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.539 Maybe lead nobody. 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:06.940 Friends, 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.260 don't idolize Christian leaders. 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.680 They're nothing but servants. 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:12.079 But maybe let's not ignore them. 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:14.660 Let's let them serve us 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:16.839 by pointing us to Christ 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.879 again, 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.039 and again, 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.119 and again, 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.619 and reminding us 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:23.059 where our hope really lies. 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.460 Let's pray together. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.039 In fact, 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:27.000 maybe before we pray, 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:28.899 we can reflect on two questions. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:30.920 I think Jesse, 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.679 we've got them up there. 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:33.719 Let's take a minute 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:35.099 just to reflect on these questions. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.899 What is God saying to us this morning? 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.859 What is God saying to you? 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:41.200 And then what does it look like 00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:42.640 to respond in faith? 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:43.900 And the reason we ask these questions 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.800 is we don't just want to 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.099 fill our minds with information. 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:46.480 Okay, 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.880 we know what 1 Corinthians 3 says. 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:50.420 We actually want to respond in faith. 00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:52.079 That's how we grow 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:53.400 from our minds to our hearts. 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:53.720 And so, 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:54.980 what is God saying to us? 00:35:55.680 --> 00:35:56.500 What does it look like 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.300 for each one of us 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:58.480 to respond to this 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.840 in faith? 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:32.400 Let's pray. 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.059 Father God, 00:36:33.220 --> 00:36:35.260 we come before you this morning 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:37.960 and we're thankful for your word, God. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.980 Your word is so good. 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.059 It's so clarifying. 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:41.880 God, 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:43.019 I would never have thought of 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:45.139 coming up with these thoughts 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:46.320 or arguments on my own, 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.980 but your word speaks to us. 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.679 God, 00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:51.280 I want to pray for us as a church. 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.420 Won't you help us 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:54.260 to be the kind of church 00:36:54.260 --> 00:36:55.900 that Paul describes here 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.940 that you want us to be? 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:57.860 God, 00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.880 not impress with leaders, 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:00.679 not trying to idolize leaders, 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:02.440 not putting anybody on a pedestal, 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:05.179 remembering that everything we have, 00:37:05.260 --> 00:37:06.320 everything we have, 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:07.380 everything we need 00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:08.579 is in Christ 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:10.500 and to hold on to Christ. 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:11.740 God, 00:37:11.820 --> 00:37:12.640 I pray for our youth. 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:14.320 I pray for our high schoolers, 00:37:14.660 --> 00:37:16.059 those who maybe in coming years 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:17.280 will maybe leave Hong Kong, 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:19.180 go off to uni somewhere else. 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.840 Maybe they'll go to university 00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.640 here in Hong Kong. 00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:22.440 God, 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.079 we pray that 00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:24.280 for those of us 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:25.619 that need to move somewhere, 00:37:25.740 --> 00:37:26.360 relocate, 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:28.059 help us to find a church. 00:37:28.140 --> 00:37:28.680 But more than that, 00:37:28.680 --> 00:37:28.820 God, 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:30.099 help us at Watermark 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.440 to be such a church. 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:33.519 We've got the only name 00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:34.800 that's the only name 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.619 that we revere 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.500 and look up to 00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:37.259 and regard 00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:39.059 or have any interest in 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.699 is the name of Jesus. 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.059 And God, 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.539 we pray that by your spirit 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:45.239 you will do a work in our hearts. 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.780 Help us to be a mature church 00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:47.860 of mature believers 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:49.800 whose lives are changing 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:51.860 and being conformed 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:53.119 to the image of Christ. 00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:54.920 Help us, 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:55.320 I pray 00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:56.460 in your wonderful 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.320 and gracious name. 00:37:58.259 --> 00:37:58.579 Amen. 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:58.759 Amen. 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:58.780 Amen. 00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:58.800 Amen. 00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:58.860 Amen. 00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:58.880 Amen. 00:37:58.880 --> 00:37:58.900 Amen. 00:37:58.900 --> 00:37:59.820 Amen. 00:37:59.820 --> 00:38:00.759 Amen. 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:00.820 Amen. 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:02.759 Amen.