I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court.
Indeed, I do not even judge myself.
My consciousness is clear, but that does not make me innocent.
It is the Lord who judges me.
Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time.
Wait till the Lord comes.
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness,
and will expose the motive of men's hearts.
At that time, each will receive his praise from God.
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,
Do not go beyond what is written.
Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
For what makes you different from anyone else?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Already you have all you want.
Already you have become rich.
You have become kings, and that without us.
How I wish that you really had become kings,
so that we might be kings with you.
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession,
like men condemned to die in the arena.
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe,
to angels as well as to men.
We are fools for Christ,
but you are so wise in Christ.
We are weak, but you are so strong.
You are honored.
We are dishonored.
To this very hour, we go hungry and thirsty.
We are in rags.
We are brutally treated.
We are homeless.
We work hard with our own hands.
When we are cursed, we bless.
When we are persecuted, we endure it.
When we are slandered, we answer kindly.
Up to this moment, we have become the scum of the earth,
the refuse of the world.
I am not writing this to shame you,
but to warn you as my dear children.
Even though you have 10,000 guardians in Christ,
you do not have many fathers.
For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the gospel.
Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.
For this reason, I am sending to you Timothy,
my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord.
He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus,
which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
Some of you have become arrogant,
as if I were not coming to you.
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing.
And then I will find out,
not only how these arrogant people are talking,
but what power they have.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk,
but of power.
What do you prefer?
Shall I come with you a whip,
or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Thank you, Sam.
Well, please keep your Bibles open there,
and let's follow along as we hear God's word.
We're going to pray first,
so let's do that now.
Our Father God, we come before you,
and we humble ourselves before you.
For you are the God who rules over all.
You are the King of kings,
the Lord of lords.
It is with your word that you spoke this universe into existence.
It is by your word you sustain all things.
It is by your word you bring about life,
and spiritual life.
And so we ask that the power of the Holy Spirit
would be speaking through your word this morning,
changing hearts,
transforming lives,
causing us to be a church
that follows you
and leads
in the way you would have us to lead.
So we ask for your help.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
A legend.
A warrior.
Paul O'Connell is not just a great player.
He has all the qualities of a great leader.
As one teammate shared,
nothing he ever said
felt unattainable.
He made us feel we could beat anyone.
An inspirational leader
and a motivating captain.
Leaders are vital, aren't they?
They're vital if we're to win in sports.
Succeed in business.
Defeat our enemies.
So what kind of leader
should we choose
for the church?
If you've been reading the notices carefully,
you will know that that's something
we're seeking to do in this church.
We're wanting to appoint
an additional elder
or elders
to help lead
the church here in Carrigoline.
So what should we be looking for
when we are appointing
a new leader?
Well, it's been very clear
as we've been going through
1 Corinthians
what the church in Corinth wanted.
Their leaders had to be
popular with people.
Successful in ministry.
Well educated.
They had to be impressive
in knowledge
and eloquent in speech.
It was all about people
and their status.
Now these things
may be helpful
but they are not
the essential qualities
of a church leader.
Go back to chapter 3
verse 3.
You see,
they were looking at leadership
from a worldly point of view.
So he says in chapter 3
verse 1
Brothers and sisters
I could not address you
as spiritual
but as worldly
mere infants
in Christ.
They were behaving
like babies.
Verse 3
You are still worldly
for since there is jealousy
and quarrelling among you
are you not worldly?
Are you not acting
like mere men?
Are you not just following
the wisdom of the world?
For when one says
oh I follow Paul
and another
I follow Apollos
are you not mere men?
You see,
it was all about people
and their status
what they did
and what they could do.
And he reminds us
that no,
that is not
what we should look for.
So what are the qualities
we should look for
when we are choosing
a leader?
Well we are going to look
at this in three ways.
Three things
that are said
about church leaders.
The first one
is this
leaders
live gospel
faithful lives.
And there's three things
I want to say
under this.
First
leaders are entrusted
with the gospel.
Look at chapter 4
verse 1
1 and 2
So then
men ought to
regard us
as servants
of Christ
and as those
entrusted
with the secret
things
of God.
So what are these
secret things
that have been
entrusted
to leaders?
What are the secret
things?
Well he's already
told us what they are.
If you go back
to chapter 2
verse 1
and 2
so chapter 2
he reminds them
that when Paul
first arrived
in Corinth
he said
I didn't come
with eloquence
or superior wisdom
as I proclaim
to you
the testimony
about God
for I resolved
to know nothing
while I was with you
except
so this was the only
thing I wanted
to teach you
was that
Jesus Christ
and him crucified.
Go down to
verse 7
he says
we speak
of God's
secret wisdom
a wisdom
that has been
hidden
but
look at
verse 10
God has
revealed it
to us
by his
spirit
so God
had made
known
the gospel
he had
declared
to the apostles
to Paul
and his
spirit
had enabled
them to
understand
and see
the good
news
about
Jesus
Christ
and what
the death
of Christ
on the cross
meant
that is
what has
been entrusted
to the leaders
of the church
now if something
has been entrusted
to you
that means
you're to
care for it
you're to
look after it
you're to
preserve it
you're to
keep it
and guard it
it is
something
special
something
very
precious
because
the message
of Jesus
Christ
and him
crucified
is
God's
power
to
save
people
it's
the means
by which
people are
changed
and transformed
so it is
precious
it is
special
and it
must be
preserved
it's been
entrusted
to you
so they
have been
entrusted
with the
gospel
faithful
and
second
they must
be
proven
faithful
with
the
gospel
verse 2
chapter 4
now it is
required that
those who have
been given a
trust
must prove
faithful
yes they are
to protect
the gospel
they're to make
sure that it
doesn't get
changed or
altered or
diluted in
any shape or
form
they are to
be faithful
well how can
we be
faithful
how can
we make
sure we
do that
well look
down at
verse 6
now brothers
he says I
have applied
these things
to myself
and apostles
and Apollos
as those who
are leaders
for your
benefit so
that you
may learn
from us
the meaning
of the
saying
do not
go beyond
what is
written
in other
words
he's
teaching
the church
you're not
to go
beyond
anything
that we
have written
like this
first letter
or anything
that we
have taught
you
remember
Paul is
an apostle
and he's
referring to
the other
apostles
so do not
go beyond
what has
been
written
everything
that they
teach
must be
tested
against
the things
that Paul
has already
written
and spoken
about
which means
for us
today
leaders
must have
a very
clear
grasp
and understanding
of what
God's
word
has to
say
this is
our
apostolic
authority
it is
the word
of God
this is
the standard
by which
we must
test
everything
and we
mustn't
go beyond
the cover
if you
like
of holy
scripture
look at
the rest
of verse
six
then
you will
not
take
pride
in one
man
over
against
another
you see
we're not
interested
in how
popular
or how
successful
or how
educated
a leader
is
we're not
wanting to
gather around
leaders
with big
personalities
we want
to gather
around
God's
word
and his
son
the Lord
Jesus
Christ
and so
what we
need
are
leaders
who are
able to
explain
the truth
of God
and be
able to
apply the
truth of
God to
people's
lives
and lead
people
according to
what God
has to
say
they must
prove
faithful
according
to God's
word
as one
writer has
put it
God's
word
is his
supernatural
power
for
accomplishing
his
supernatural
work
this is
no
ordinary
book
it is
his
supernatural
power
to accomplish
his
supernatural
work
preaching
the content
and intent
of God's
word
is what
unleashes
the power
of God
on the
people of
God
if we
want to
know the
power of
God at
work in
our lives
then we
are to
hear
the word
of God
being taught
and explained
so we
are entrusted
with the
gospel
we must
prove
faithful
and third
leaders are
to be
accountable
to God
go back
to verse
three
he says
I care
very little
if I am
judged by
you
or by
any human
court
indeed
I do
not even
judge
myself
you see
the church
were making
all kinds
of judgments
about Paul
what kind
of leader
he was
his message
what they
thought
and he's
stepping back
from all of
that he
says I
don't mind
I don't
care if
you judge
me
or what
little
committee
you set
up to
judge
me
leaders
are not
there to
please
people
they are
there to
please
God
look what he
says at the
end of verse
four
it is
the Lord
who judges
me
you see
people might
look for
popular leaders
but God
looks for
faithful
leaders
faithful
leaders who
are true
to his
gospel
who are
there to
please
God
and not
people
and the
danger is
is what
happens
is people
begin to
teach what
other people
want to
hear
so you
know
Johnny
you shouldn't
really be
teaching so
much about
Jesus'
death on
the cross
it's a little
bit outdated
and irrelevant
and people
don't really
want to hear
that message
anymore
we need to
move on
and the
danger is
that we
can begin
to fit
our message
to what
people want
to hear
but leaders
are not
accountable
to the
judgments
of people
they are
accountable
to God
verse
five
therefore
judge
nothing
before
the
appointed
time
wait
till
the
Lord
comes
he
will
bring
to
light
what
is
hidden
in
darkness
and
he
will
expose
the
motives
of
men's
hearts
now of
course
that doesn't
mean
leaders
are to
ignore
the
judgments
of
people
we know
from
scripture
that we
are
accountable
to
the
church
body
but it
is vital
that every
judgment
made
is first
tested
against
God's
word
as we
saw
back in
verse
six
to make
sure
that it
is not
going
beyond
the
bounds
of what
is
written
because
it is
God
to whom
we are
ultimately
accountable
you see
when we
stand before
God
as judge
he's not
going to
ask the
leaders
how popular
with you
were you
did the
church
like you
did the
community
in which
you
lived
did they
think you
were great
we're not
going to be
asked how
successful
we were
how many
churches
we planted
or how
many people
came to
faith
how educated
how many
letters
we have
after our
name
God
will want
to know
were we
faithful
to the
gospel
did we
teach it
and explain
it to
people
did we
guard it
and keep
it
so real
leaders
true
leaders
must live
gospel
faithful
lives
second
church
leaders
live
cross
shaped
lives
I wonder
how you
would feel
if you
were considered
a fool
or called
scum
maybe you've
had that
said to
you
I don't
know
but it's
certainly
not very
nice
is it
well that it
seems is the
quality God
looks for
in leaders
have a look
at verse
10
look what he
says
we are
fools
for Christ
or down
we're down
at the end
of verse
13
he says
the scum
of the
earth
you see
the wisdom
of the
world
looks for
a different
kind of
leader
back in
verse 8
he says
already you
have all
you want
already you
have become
rich
you have
become
kings
and that
without us
you see
the kind
of leaders
they are
looking for
are powerful
and wealthy
and influential
like the
kings
and the
rulers
of this
world
look at
the rest
of verse
8
how I
wish that
you really
had become
kings
so that
we might
be kings
with you
now Paul
is getting
very sarcastic
and ironic
here with
them
it's like
oh we
seem to
have got
it wrong
please
teach us
how we
should be
real leaders
so that
we don't
have to
suffer
and we
don't
have to
serve
teach us
what it
is to
be a
worldly
leader
no true
leaders
not only
preach the
cross
they must
also follow
the example
of the
cross
so he
tells us
two things
that first
leaders
are
fools
for
Christ
look at
verse 9
for
for it
seems to
me
that
God
has
put
us
apostles
on
display
at
the
end
of
the
procession
like
men
condemned
to die
in the
arena
in days
past
when a
king
returned
to his
city
after a
great big
victory
a great
big
battle
there would
be this
great
celebration
and at
the front
of the
procession
would be
the king
and his
chariot
and all
the streets
would be
lined with
the cheering
people
celebrating
this great
king
and his
marvellous
victory
and at
the back
of the
procession
would be
the captured
enemies
shuffling
along in
their chains
waiting
for their
execution
or as it
says here
in verse 9
like men
condemned
to die
in the
arena
well
this
he says
is what
a church
leader
is like
to the
eyes
of the
world
like
men
condemned
to die
in the
arena
we have
been made
a spectacle
to the
whole
universe
to angels
as well
as to
men
you see
when people
look at
the cross
of Christ
they think
it's
stupid
it's not
a victory
that man
dying on
the cross
it's a
failure
they hear
the message
of Christ
and they
regard it
as foolish
so it's
not surprising
then that
those who
preach the
cross
and those
who live
by the
cross
are also
considered
fools
verse 10
we are
fools for
Christ
but you
you're so
wise in
Christ
we are
weak
oh but
you're so
strong
aren't
you
you are
honoured
we are
dishonoured
you see
the wisdom
of the
world
says it's
the powerful
the clever
the influential
people that
count
these are the
kinds of
leaders we
need for
our churches
no the
leaders that
count
are those
who follow
the example
of Christ
Christ
was thought
of as a
fool
as he
hung on
the cross
he was
considered
weak
come down
from the
cross if
you can
save
yourself
look at
the state
of him
as the
crowds laughed
and mocked
he was
dishonoured
real leaders
must be
prepared to
follow the
way
of the
cross
but not
only are
we to
be
fools
leaders
are to
be the
scum
of the
earth
you see
for many
leadership
is kind
of prestige
it's
power
it's a
title
it's
position
but not
the leader
God looks
for
look at
how Paul
describes his
life
verse 11
to this
very hour
we go
hungry
and thirsty
we are
in rags
we are
brutally
treated
we are
homeless
we work
hard with
our own
hands
when we
are cursed
we bless
when we
are persecuted
we endure
it
when we
are slandered
we answer
kindly
there is
nothing
advantageous
in the
world's
eyes
about
being
a
church
leader
no
privileges
no
special
treatment
no
particular
rights
it's a
life of
service
and sacrifice
it's where
people
misunderstand
you
where
people
ignore
you
and
mistreat
you
just as
Christ
lived
with
rejection
just as
Christ
died
in
humiliation
so the
church
leader
must be
prepared
to follow
in that
same
path
look at
the end
of verse
13
up to
this
moment
we have
become
the
scum
of the
earth
the
refuse
of the
world
the
stuff
that
is
thrown
into
your
bin
the
stuff
that
is
scraped
into
the
compost
this
is
what
church
leaders
are
in
the
eyes
of
the
world
they
have
nothing
to
say
they
have
nothing
to
give
just
think
about
the
last
time
you
heard
an
evangelical
minister
Christian
on the
radio
or on
television
being
invited
onto
the
late
show
to
give
their
opinion
or
on
some
talk
show
when
was
the
last
time
you
hear
it
don't
hear
it
very
often
if
at
all
why
because
well
the
message
that
they
have
to
share
is
it's
like
filth
it's
like
dirt
it's
like
scum
we
don't
need
it
we
don't
need
to
hear
that
it's
useless
so
real
leaders
not only
preach
the
cross
they
must
be
prepared
to
follow
the
example
of
the
cross
third
church
leaders
are to
live
Christ
like
lives
look at
verse
14
he says
I'm not
writing this
to shame
you
but to
warn you
as my
dear
children
he's
caring
for them
he loves
them
so much
don't
look for
the
qualities
that
the
world
looks
for
don't
be
looking
out
for
big
personalities
and
impressive
speakers
those
who
are
highly
educated
he's
saying
this
for
their
own
good
look
at
the
end
of
verse
15
he
says
for
in
Christ
Jesus
I
became
your
father
through
the
gospel
I
care
for
you
like
a
father
cares
for
his
own
child
I
want
to
make
sure
that
your
church
and
your
people
are
protected
and
cared
for
and
loved
so
choose
your
leaders
well
do
what
is
right
and
he
goes
on
to
explain
what
that
is
first
leaders
must
live
by
example
verse
16
therefore
I
urge
you
to
imitate
me
what
a
thing
to
say
follow
my
example
don't
just
listen
to
what
I
say
live
as
I
live
watch
my
life
and
do
the
kinds
of
things
that
I
do
verse
17
for
this
reason
I
am
sending
to
you
Timothy
my
son
whom
I
love
who
is
faithful
in
the
Lord
he
will
remind
you
of
my
way
of
life
in
Christ
Jesus
you
see
leaders
are not
only
to
preach
Christ
they
are
to
live
like
Christ
their
lives
must
back
up
the
message
listen
he
says
to
what
Timothy
has
to
say
he'll
tell
you
how
I
live
the
kind
of
life
I
live
towards
other
people
he
will
remind
you
of
my
way
of
life
in
Christ
Jesus
which
agrees
with
what
I
teach
everywhere
in
every
church
leaders
live
what
they
preach
they
are
to
be
a
walking
example
of
the
message
they
declare
not
only
talk
about
Jesus
but
live
like
Jesus
of
course
it
doesn't
mean
perfection
and I
stand
here
and I
speak
as a
leader
of the
church
it's
not
perfection
rather
there is
this
continual
growing
in
Christ
likeness
there is
a
continuing
grasping
and understanding
of God's
word
that is
continually
being
applied
so that
it is
not only
seen
in
life
but
can
actually
be
followed
and go
yes
that is
the way
we should
live
church
leaders
are to
live
Christ
like
lives
and
live
by
example
and
second
leaders
must
discipline
gently
verse
18
some
of you
have
become
arrogant
as if
I
were
not
coming
to
you
all
that
Paul
character
glad
he's
not
here
anymore
we
can
do
things
our
way
now
let's
show
him
how
to
lead
let's
show
him
how
to
really
do
church
and
how
to
win
the
crowd
we
know
what
to
do
but
leadership
in
the
church
is
too
serious
a
matter
to
ignore
because
the
quality
of
a
leader
will
determine
the
quality
of
the
church
verse
19
but
I
will
come
to
you
very
soon
if
the
Lord
is
willing
and
then
I
will
find
out
not
only
how
these
arrogant
people
are
talking
but
what
power
they
have
for
the
kingdom
of
God
is
not
a
matter
of
talk
but
of
power
you
see
it's
not
about
popularity
it's
not
about
people
who
can
give
impressive
talks
it's
all
about
God's
power
at
work
through
his
people
go
back
to
chapter
2
verse
4
he
reminds
us
he
says
my
message
and
my
preaching
they
were
not
with
wise
and
persuasive
words
but
with
a
demonstration
of
the
spirit
power
so
that
your
faith
might
not
rest
on
men's
wisdom
but
on
God's
power
those
who
lead
by
the
standards
of
the
world
must
be
dealt
with
because
it
will
ruin
the
church
the
wisdom
of
the
world
will
wreck
the
church
we
need
those
who
will
follow
the
wisdom
of
God
and
rest
in
God's
power
chapter
4
verse
21
what
do
you
prefer
shall
I
come
to
you
with
a
whip
or
in
love
and
with
a
gentle
spirit
of
course
I'm
very
sure
he
doesn't
mean
that
he's
literally
going
to
arrive
with
a
whip
and
start
lashing
it
about
and
beating
them
out
no
he's
saying
that
he
will
have
to
discipline
them
by
correcting
their
behaviour
that's
something
we'll
see
should
happen
in
the
whole
of
the
church
in
chapter
5
he
will
have
to
correct
their
behaviour
first
of
all
by
removing
them
from
their
position
of
leadership
but
his
desire
is
that
they
will
hear
what
he
is
saying
that
they
will
read
his
letter
and
they
will
see
what
they
are
doing
and
that
they
will
change
their
ways
before
he
gets
to
them
and
they
will
repent
and put
things
right
so
that
Paul
can
come
in
love
and
in
a
gentle
spirit
he's
giving
them
opportunity
and
leaders
in the
same
way
are
to
love
the
church
so
much
that
they
will
discipline
to
protect
to
protect
the
church
and
to
care
for
the
church
and
let
me
say
this
very
clearly
to
us
as a
church
family
you
are
to
watch
your
leaders
you
are
to
watch
me
you
are
to
watch
Ralph
listen
to
what
we
say
watch
our
lives
and
if
there
is
anything
that
should
cause
us
not
to
be
well
something
should
be
said
because
the
quality
of
the
leader
will
determine
the
quality
of
the
church
isn't
this
how
Christ
has
ultimately
treated
us
he
has
come
to
us
with
grace
and
love
he's
come
with
a
gentle
spirit
longing
that
we
would
all
repent
and
turn
to
him
and
find
forgiveness
and
find
life
in
him
but
the
day
is
coming
when
the
Lord
Jesus
will
return
as
judge
and
he
will
punish
all
those
who
have
rejected
him
so
Christ's
desire
is
that
we
change
before
he
comes
again
and
that
I
think
is
what
Paul
is
saying
here
change
before
I
come
so
these
are
the
qualities
we
are
to
look
for
in
those
who
lead
the
church
the
quality
of a
leader
will
determine
the
quality
of the
church
and so
we need
to pray
and ask
for God's
wisdom
that we
would follow
the wisdom
of God
rather than
get caught up
with the
wisdom of
the world
and choose
leaders who
are faithful
to the
gospel
those
who
model
a
cross
shaped
life
and
those
who
we
can
listen
to
and
learn
from
but also
follow
their
example
pray
for your
leaders
and pray
for us
as we
seek to
choose
leaders
let's
do that
right now
as we
pray
our
father
god
we
humbly
come
before
you
and
recognize
that
this
is
your
church
you
are
the
leader
and
we
are
your
people
and
we
want
to
follow
you
and
we
want
to
serve
you
so
father
would
you
please
give
to
each
one
of
us
the
grace
that
we
may
follow
in
your
ways
thanking
you
for
the
leaders
that
you
put
in
place
in
the
life
of
every
local
church
we
pray
that
we
would
care
well
that
we
would
love
well
that
we
would
teach
that
we
would
be
faithful
and
we
ask
father
god
that
you
would
give
to
us
as
a
church
family
wisdom
discernment
to
see
to
hear
those
who
would
lead
rightly
father
we
ask
for
your
help
because
your
church
is
precious
you
died
for
us
you
gave
your
life
for
us
and
we
want
to
do
what
is
right
we
want
to
honor
you
and
glorify
you
so
would
you
please
help
us
fill
us
with
your
holy
spirit
we
pray
we
ask
this
in
Jesus
name
amen
we're
going
to
sing
and
this
song
really
takes
us
back
to
the
heart
of
what
leadership
is
it
brings
us
back
to
Christ
who
is
our
servant
king
who
gave
his
life
for
us
and
calls
us
to
follow
him
and
as
we
sing
this
we
not
only
think
of
him
as
our
leader
but
we
think
of
him
who
died
for
us
and
in
a
moment
we're
going
to
share
around
the
Lord's
supper
together
as
we
celebrate
and
remember
the
servant
who
died
to
give
his
life
for
us
so
that
we
might
have
life
to
live
his
way
so
let's
stand
together
as
we