Are you a small group leader? A parent? A deacon? An elder? A pastor? Then this sermon is for you. Joe Gordon, pastor of Young Adults at Scottdale Bible Church, subbed for Dr. Wayne Grudem (Mr. Systematic Theology) this summer. He gives a thoughtful, wonderfully developed sermon on what leadership looks like--in the home, in the church, in the mission field. I strongly encourage you  to listen to this, and the second sermon by Joe on divisions in the church (see  other post). Joe Gordon's notes for the sermon are at the end of this posting.

http://scottsdalebible.com/assets/audio/christian-essentials/20120527JGordon.mp3

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.

I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

I have applied all this to myself and Apol'los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?

Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless,

and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.

I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? 1 Corinthians 4

 

MAD WORLD - SERVANT LEADERSHIP

(1 CORINTHIANS 3:18-4:5)

 

BIG IDEA: "WISE" LEADERS SERVE OTHERS SINCE GOD HUMBLES THOSE WHO SEEK TO BE FIRST AND COMMENDS THOSE WHO SEEK TO BE LAST.

 

I. GOD HUMBLES THOSE WHO SEEK TO BE FIRST. (3:18-20)

 

TONIGHT, WE'RE CONTINUING OUR SERIES CALLED MAD WORLD, WHICH IS OUR STUDY OF 1 CORINTHIANS, BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LEADER. IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY, OPEN YOUR BIBLES WITH ME TO CHAPTER 3. WE'LL BEGIN WITH VERSE 18...

[18] LET NO ONE DECEIVE HIMSELF. IF ANYONE AMONG YOU THINKS THAT HE IS WISE IN THIS AGE, LET HIM BECOME A FOOL THAT HE MAY BECOME WISE.

NOW TO UNDERSTAND THIS PASSAGE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT OF "WISDOM."

IN CORINTH, WISDOM WASN'T MERELY A SET OF BELIEFS OR AN ABILITY TO THINK WELL BUT A STYLE OF LIFE. IT'S AN ATTITUDE THAT IS EGOCENTRIC, PRIDEFUL, ARROGANT, AND SELF-ABSORBED. IT'S THE MAN OR WOMAN WHO WALKS INTO A ROOM WITH THEIR NOSE IN THEIR AIR - THINKING THEY'RE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE - THAT PERSON WAS CONSIDERED "WISE."

NOW WE MIGHT LOOK AT THIS AS BEING OBVIOUSLY SILLY. BUT FOR THE CORINTHIANS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ASSIMILATED INTO THEIR LIVING SUBCONSCIOUSLY. IT WAS THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE. THE GERMANS WOULD CALL IT THE "ZEITGEIST" OF CORINTH. SO THE CHRISTIAN CORINTHIANS WOULD HAVE SUBCONSCIOUSLY CARRIED THIS ATTITUDE INTO THE CHURCH.

SADLY, I DON'T THINK AMERICANS ARE TOO FAR FROM THAT SAME SORT OF ATTITUDE. LISTEN TO SOME OF THESE STATISTICS.

ALTHOUGH AMERICAN STUDENTS PERFORM POORLY IN MATHEMATICS AS COMPARED TO STUDENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST SELF CONFIDENCE ABOUT OUR MATH ABILITIES.

COMPARED TO COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM 30 YEARS AGO, TODAY'S COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT THAT THEY'RE EASILY LIKED.

NINETY-FOUR PERCENT OF COLLEGE PROFESSORS BELIEVE THEY HAVE ABOVE AVERAGE TEACHING SKILLS.

SEVENTY PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CLAIM THEY HAVE ABOVE-AVERAGE LEADERSHIP SKILLS - ONLY 2 PERCENT HAVE BELOW AVERAGE.

IN 1950 THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO BELIEVED THAT THEY WERE "A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON" WAS 12 PERCENT. IN THE 1990S IT ROSE TO 80 PERCENT.

A FEW DECADES AGO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE FOR A BASEBALL PLAYER TO CELEBRATE HIMSELF IN THE BATTER'S BOX AFTER HITTING A HOME RUN. NOW IT IS COMMONPLACE.

MOREOVER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABSURD FOR POP SINGERS TO COMPOSE SONGS ABOUT THEIR OWN GREATNESS, BUT NOW THAT'S COMMONPLACE TOO.

INTERESTINGLY, MANY RESEARCHERS THINK THAT MEN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE ARROGANT AND PRIDEFUL. MEN DROWN TWICE AS LIKELY AS WOMEN BECAUSE OF THEIR MISCONCEPTION OF THEIR SWIMMING ABILITIES, ESPECIALLY AFTER DRINKING.

SO WE'RE NOT SO DIFFERENT FROM THE CORINTHIANS. THE SPIRIT OF OUR AGE IS SELF-ABSORPTION, ARROGANCE, AND PRIDE.

HOWEVER, HERE IN VERSE 18, PAUL WANTS THEM TO KNOW THAT ACQUIRING TRUE "WISDOM" REQUIRES ONE TO ADOPT THE BELIEFS THAT THE WORLD CONSIDERS FOOLISH.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THIS PRINCIPLE. GREEK CULTURE ASSUMED THAT GOD WOULD SAVE WITH SOME FLASHY POWER FROM HEAVEN. BUT THE CROSS LOOKS WEAK BECAUSE IT'S NOT FLASHY - IT'S A MAN DYING. NONETHELESS, IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE BEING SAVED. TO BE SAVED, ONE MUST ADOPT WHAT THE WORLD CONSIDERS FOOLISH. SO FOR PAUL, ACQUIRING TRUE WISDOM REQUIRES ONE TO ADOPT THE BELIEFS THAT THE WORLD CONSIDERS FOOLISH.

CONVERSELY, THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WHAT THE WORLD CONSIDERED WISE, LIKE DOING EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO BE FIRST AND THE GREATEST, IS IN REALITY FOOLISH.

PAUL WILL PROVE HIS POINT WITH TWO OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES? LOOK AT VERSE 19...

[19] FOR THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS FOLLY WITH GOD. FOR IT IS WRITTEN, "HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS," [20] AND AGAIN, "THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE."

FIRST, PAUL QUOTES JOB 5:13. IT PICTURES A HUNTER STALKING PREY AND CAPTURING IT BY TRAPPING IT IN ITS OWN SCHEMES AND AMBITIONS. YOU COULD PICTURE A MOUSE TRAP. THE HUNTER USES THE MOUSE'S HUNGER IN ORDER TO TRAP IT.

THE SECOND QUOTATION IS FROM PSALM 94:11. IT ASSERTS THAT THE LORD KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS AND THEY ARE FUTILE. THE WORD HERE FOR THOUGHTS IS MACHINATIONS. IT'S THE IDEA OF PLOTTING AND PLANNING IN ORDER TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST.

I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF WILE E. COYOTE AND THE ROAD RUNNER. THE COYOTE DEVELOPS A SCHEME TO CATCH THE ROAD RUNNER WITH SOME ACME DEVICE BUT THE DEVICE ACTUALLY INJURES THE COYOTE. IT WAS FUTILE FOR HIM TO THINK UP WAYS TO PUT HIMSELF ON TOP.

PAUL WANTS THE CORINTHIANS TO KNOW THAT THEIR AMBITIONS FOR GREATNESS WILL BACKFIRE. SCHEMING TO BE FIRST AND THE GREATEST WILL ONLY RESULT IN LOSS AND PAIN. GOD NEVER BLESSES THAT SORT OF BEHAVIOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS SORT OF ATTITUDE IS BLINDED TO ITS OWN CONCEIT AND PRIDE. PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY'RE BETTER THAN OTHERS HAVE DECEIVED THEMSELVES INTO BELIEVING THAT PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST NO MATTER WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION.

SPECIFICALLY, I THINK PEOPLE KNOW THEY'RE BEING SELFISH AND ARROGANT BUT THEY DON'T REPENT BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IT HAS GOTTEN THEM SO FAR. BUT WHAT HAS IT REALLY GOTTEN THEM?

IN CORINTH, IT HAS GOTTEN THEM FIGHTING AND DIVISION. IT HAS GOTTEN THEM GOSSIP AND SLANDER. IT HAS GOTTEN THEM ENVY AND JEALOUSY. IT HAS GOTTEN THEM CHAOS AND DISHARMONY. YOU'D THINK THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THAT SORT OF ATTITUDE ONLY BIRTHS PAIN. BUT ARROGANCE IS BLINDING AND WE CAN'T LIVE ANY OTHER WAY WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHO HAS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE WITH ATTITUDES OF ARROGANCE AND PRIDE? IT'S PEOPLE WITH POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY - SUPERVISORS, PARENTS, HUSBANDS, TEAM LEADERS, PASTORS, SMALL GROUP LEADERS, MISSION TRIP LEADERS - ANYONE WITH A POSITION WITH AUTHORITY.

 

SO PAUL WANTS TO ZERO IN ON THESE PEOPLE SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO NEED TO BEWARE OF THE DANGER OF AN ARROGANCE AND SELF-ABSORPTION THAT WILL LEAD TO DESTRUCTION. LEADERS ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO END UP LIKE WILE E. COYOTE FALLING OFF THE CLIFF AS THEY CHASE THE ROAD RUNNER OF SELF-EXALTATION. LOOK AT VERSE 21...

 

II. "WISE" LEADERS SERVE THOSE WITHOUT POWER OR POSITION. (3:21-4:1A)

 

[21] SO LET NO ONE BOAST IN MEN. FOR ALL THINGS ARE YOURS, [22] WHETHER PAUL OR APOLLOS OR CEPHAS OR THE WORLD OR LIFE OR DEATH OR THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE-ALL ARE YOURS, [23] AND YOU ARE CHRIST'S, AND CHRIST IS GOD'S.

 

THE CORINTHIANS WERE PRONE TO BOAST IN THE LEADERS THEY FOLLOW; AND THEIR LEADERS WERE PRONE TO RECEIVE IT, BUT THAT ONLY LED TO THE JEALOUSY AND FIGHTING THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR CHURCH.

PAUL REVERSES IT AND TELLS THEM THAT THESE RENOWNED LEADERS IN THE CHURCH BELONG TO THEM. THE CHURCH IS NOT THE PROPERTY OF THE APOSTLES, RATHER THE APOSTLES ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE CHURCH. THE CORINTHIANS WERE CLAIMING TOO LITTLE BUT THEY MUST RECOGNIZE THAT "ALL THINGS ARE" THEIRS. THEY POSSESS ALL THINGS BECAUSE THEY BELONG TO CHRIST.

SO CHRISTIANS DO NOT BELONG TO THE APOSTLES OR THEIR COMMUNITY LEADERS. THEY SHOULD NOT SAY, "I BELONG TO PAUL" BUT "PAUL BELONGS TO ME" SINCE THAT WOULD PUT LEADERS IN THE PROPER ROLE AS SERVANTS. HENCE, PAUL SAYS IN CHAPTER 4, VERSE 1, "THIS IS HOW ONE SHOULD REGARD US, AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST." WE CALL IT "SERVANT LEADERSHIP." LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE...

I REMEMBER AS A TEENAGER THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION IN A CAR WAS "SHOTGUN," WHICH IS THE SEAT IN THE FRONT NEXT TO THE DRIVER. IF YOU WERE GOING SOMEPLACE WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, WHOEVER CALLED "SHOTGUN" FIRST WOULD RECEIVE THE SEAT.

"SHOTGUN" WAS THE PRIZED SEAT BECAUSE IT OFFERED THE MOST LEGROOM AND SPACE. YOU WEREN'T CRAMPED IN BACK NEXT TO YOUR FRIENDS OR SIBLINGS. YOU ALSO HAD ACCESS TO THE AIR-VENTS, WHICH ARE PRIZED IN ARIZONA; AND THE RADIO, WHICH IS PRIZED AS A TEENAGER. TO HAVE "SHOTGUN" WOULD MEAN IMPLY BEING FIRST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE GREATEST POSITION IN THE CAR.

BUT IN GOD'S PERSPECTIVE, HAVING "SHOTGUN" IS ACTUALLY A POSITION OF SERVITUDE. BRING IN FRONT ACTUALLY MAKES YOU A SERVANT OF EVERYONE BEHIND YOU. A CHRISTIAN IN "SHOTGUN" IS SUPPOSED TO USE THE EXTRA SPACE AROUND THEIR LEGS TO HOLD THE FOOD OR PURSES OF THOSE IN BACK. A CHRISTIAN IN "SHOTGUN" IS SUPPOSED TO DIRECT THE AIR-VENTS TO THE PEOPLE IN BACK AND NOT ON THEMSELVES. A PERSON IN "SHOTGUN" IS SUPPOSED TO TURN THE RADIO TO WHATEVER STATION THEY PEOPLE IN BACK WANT TO HEAR. PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER ARE ACTUALLY SERVANTS OF THOSE WITHOUT POWER BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE OWN THEM.

I HEARD A SENIOR PASTOR ONCE SAY THAT HE SEES HIMSELF AS A RACECAR DRIVER AND EVERYONE ELSE AS THE PIT CREW. THEY WERE THERE TO ASSIST HIM IN HIS MINISTRY. PAUL ARGUES HERE THAT THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. THE SENIOR PASTOR ACTUALLY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. HIS POSITION OF AUTHORITY IS GIVEN SO THAT HE CAN SERVE THE CONGREGATION, VOLUNTEERS, AND ASSOCIATE PASTORS.

IN THE SAME WAY, A CHRISTIAN EMPLOYER OR SUPERVISOR CONSIDERS THEMSELVES TO BE A SERVANT TO THE PEOPLE THE PEOPLE THEY LEAD. THEY'RE CONTINUING ASKING THEMSELVES HOW THEY CAN HELP THEM FULFILL THEIR DREAMS, PROGRESS IN THEIR CAREER, MAKE THEIR JOBS EASIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE. SERVANT LEADERS ARE ABLE TO WORK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THOSE THEY SUPERVISE IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEM AND COMPLETE THE TASK.

I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU MEN WANT TO BE LEADERS TO YOUR WIVES. BUT DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS? IT MEANS BEING THEIR SERVANT!

DESIRING GOD TWEETED "A MAN WHO TAKES A WOMAN TO THE ALTAR IS GOING TO DIE TO HIMSELF."

FOR ME, THAT'S A GOOD DEFINITION OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN A MARRIAGE. IT'S CONTINUOUSLY USING YOUR POSITION TO SERVE YOUR WIFE, HELPING HER GROW EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY BY YOUR SACRIFICES.

I FEAR THAT MANY OF US MEN HAVE INTERPRETED MARRIAGE AS MERELY MARRYING YOUR BEST FRIEND. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU DON'T LIVE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. MARRIAGE REQUIRES THE HUSBAND TO USE HIS SALARY SO THAT HIS WIFE CAN HAVE THE NICER CAR, NICER CLOTHES, RENTING THE MOVIES THAT SHE WANTS TO WATCH, AND LETTING HER CHOOSE THE BETTER LEFTOVERS.

IF YOU GO INTO A MARRIAGE THINKING THAT YOUR SPOUSE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU FOR YOUR HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION, THEN THERE WILL BE FIGHTING AND CHAOS. WISE LEADERS MUST SERVE THOSE THAT THEY ARE LEADING KNOWING THAT TO USE YOUR AUTHORITY TO GET WHAT YOU WANT ONLY LEADS TO CHAOS.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS FOOLISHNESS TO THE WORLD. THE WORLD ADVOCATES USING YOUR AUTHORITY TO GET WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOURSELF. THE WORLD THINKS THAT BEING A LEADER MEANS GREATER COMFORT AND LESS ANXIETY. THE WORLD SEES USING YOUR POSITION AS A MEANS TO CLIMB THE NEXT RUNG. BUT THE GOSPEL HAS TURNED EVERYTHING UPSIDE DOWN. THE GOSPEL TELLS US THAT GOD HUMBLES THOSE PEOPLE WHO SEEK TO BE FIRST AND EXALTS THOSE WHO SEEK TO BE THE LEAST. GOD BLESSES THE SERVANT LEADER. THEREFORE: "WISE" LEADERS SERVE THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT POWER OR POSITION.

SO WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OR TRAITS OF A SERVANT LEADER? IF YOU'VE BEEN IN A CHURCH FOR LONGER THAN A YEAR, YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT "SERVANT LEADERSHIP" A LOT. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SERVANT LEADER? PAUL WILL LIST A HANDFUL OF CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVANT LEADER IN VERSE 1 THROUGH 5 IN CHAPTER 4.

III. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVANT LEADER. (4:1-5A)

FIRST, SERVANT LEADERS AREN'T DOORMATS. LOOK AT CHAPTER 4, VERSE 1...

[4:1] THIS IS HOW ONE SHOULD REGARD US, AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST AND STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD.

THE WORD HERE FOR SERVANT IS "UNDER-ROWER." IT REFERS TO ANCIENT ROWERS ON THE BOTTOM OF A SHIP. THEY WOULD RECEIVE THEIR ORDERS FROM SOMEONE ELSE.

SO DOES THAT MEAN YOU CAN GO TO YOUR PASTOR OR CHRISTIAN EMPLOYER AND DEMAND THAT THEY DO WHATEVER THEY ASK? DOES THIS MEAN THAT YOUR SPOUSE CAN USE YOU SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE WHATEVER THEY WANT? OF COURSE NOT!

UNDER-ROWERS WEREN'T NECESSARY SLAVES. THEY HAD FREEDOM TO SAY, "NO." MOREOVER, THEY WOULD AT TIMES RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR WHAT THEY WOULD DO.

SO PAUL ISN'T SAYING THAT YOU CAN BOSS AROUND YOUR CHRISTIAN BOSS OR THE PERSON WHO'S LEADING YOU, OR TREAT YOUR CHRISTIAN LEADER AS A SLAVE. SERVANT LEADERS ARE CHOOSING TO BE IN THAT POSITION. PAUL IS SIMPLY AFFIRMING THAT LEADERS ARE SERVANTS.

SECOND, SERVANT LEADERS NEVER CLAIM OWNERSHIP. LOOK BACK AT VERSE 1...

[4:1] THIS IS HOW ONE SHOULD REGARD US, AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST AND STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD.

NOTICE THAT PAUL ALSO CALLS THESE LEADERS "STEWARDS." THIS WORD IS USED FOR THE "CHIEF HOUSEHOLD SLAVE." THE MASTER WOULD GIVE THEM THE SERVANTS AUTHORITY TO USE HIS STUFF; BUT THEY MUST BE PREPARED TO RELEASE IT AT ANY TIME BECAUSE IT'S NOT THEIRS TO KEEP. FOR PAUL, IT WAS THE REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL AND OTHER SPIRITUAL TRUTHS THAT WERE UNDECLARED UNTIL THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. BUT IT CAN BE ANYTHING THAT GOD HAS ENTRUSTED INTO OUR CARE TO MANAGE FOR HIM.

SERVANT LEADERS ARE ALWAYS PREPARED TO LET SOMEONE ELSE LEAD. THEY DON'T FIGHT TO KEEP WHAT IS THERE'S BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S NOT THERE'S TO KEEP.

I WAS TALKING WITH SOMEONE LAST WEEK ABOUT HIS CALLING. I ASKED HIM WHERE HE SAW HIMSELF SERVING IN CHRIST'S CHURCH. HE TOLD ME A COUPLE OF PLACES AND WE TALKED ABOUT THEM. BUT THEN I SAID, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU DIDN'T CHOOSE YOUNG ADULTS. I THINK THAT I HAVE THE BEST POSITION IN THE WORLD!"

HE TOLD ME THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO SAY MY POSSESSION BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I WOULD BE AFRAID OF SOMEONE COMING INTO MY TERRITORY. BUT I TOLD HIM IT'S NOT MY TERRITORY. IT'S JESUS'!

SERVANT LEADERS DON'T FIGHT THEIR MANAGERS WHEN THEY PROMOTE SOMEONE UNDER THEM. SERVANT LEADERS DON'T SLANDER IN ORDER TO KEEP WHAT THEY WANT. SERVANT LEADERS DON'T GOSSIP AND SLANDER IN ORDER TO KEEP WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE THEIR TERRITORY. THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY'RE JUST STEWARDS OF WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN THEM.

THIRD, SERVANT LEADERS VALUE FAITHFULNESS MORE THAN SUCCESS. LOOK AT VERSE 2...

 

[2] MOREOVER, IT IS REQUIRED OF STEWARDS THAT THEY BE FOUND FAITHFUL.

GOD SEEKS OF STEWARDS "FAITHFULNESS" RATHER THAN ELOQUENCE OR WISDOM OR INITIATIVE OR SUCCESS, WHICH ARE OUR USUAL STANDARDS FOR A LEADER.

THERE WILL BE TIMES IN LIFE WHEN WE RECEIVE ZERO RESPONSE OR RESULTS. DON'T SWEAT IT! GOD WANTS FAITHFULNESS - NOT INSTANT RESULTS OR SUCCESS.

YOU MAY HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL PARENT TO YOUR CHILDREN AND YET THEY TURNED FROM FOLLOWING THE LORD. GOD DOESN'T JUDGE US ON OUR SUCCESS BUT OUR FAITHFULNESS.

YOU MAY HAVE LEAD A SMALL GROUP OR MISSION TRIP AND THE GROUP OR THE TRIP DIDN'T PRODUCE THE RESULTS YOU WERE EXPECTING. GOD'S DOESN'T JUDGE US ON OUR SUCCESS BUT OUR FAITHFULNESS.

YOU MAY HAVE SUPERVISED A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES IN A PROJECT AND YOUR PRODUCT WASN'T POPULAR AND YOUR EMPLOYEES WERE INCORRIGIBLE. GOD DOESN'T JUDGE US ON OUR SUCCESS BUT OUR FAITHFULNESS.

IF YOU LIVE BY SUCCESS, YOU'LL BE UNABLE TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO USE AND ABUSE PEOPLE.

FOURTH, SERVANT LEADERS ARE WARY OF PUBLIC CRITICISM.

 

[3] BUT WITH ME IT IS A VERY SMALL THING THAT I SHOULD BE JUDGED BY YOU OR BY ANY HUMAN COURT.

 

HUMAN CRITERIA TO MEASURE FAITHFULNESS IS USELESS SINCE HUMANS ARE NOT ALL-SEEING OR ALL-KNOWING, THEIR JUDGMENTS ARE LIMITED AND, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, MISTAKEN. THEREFORE, GOD'S JUDGMENT IS THE ONLY JUDGMENT THAT COUNTS AND THE ONLY JUDGMENT THAT ANYBODY SHOULD CARE ABOUT.

TO BE CLEAR, PAUL ISN'T TRYING TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT HIMSELF - HE'S SETTING FORTH A PRINCIPLE THAT APPLIES TO ANY TEACHER OR ANY BELIEVER. (THE REPETITIVE USE OF THE FIRST PERSON "I" INVITES US TO SHARE THE SAME PERSPECTIVE.) SO PAUL IS NOT SAYING THAT THE CORINTHIANS ARE UNABLE TO JUDGE THE MIGHTY APOSTLES; RATHER, HE IS SETTING FORTH AN EXAMPLE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW - HUMANS ARE INCOMPETENT SO TAKE PEOPLE'S CRITICISM WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

AS A SERVANT LEADER, YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR FAIR SHARE OF CRITICISM. REMEMBER THAT ONLY GOD'S JUDGMENT MATTERS.

NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULD IGNORE ALL CRITICISM, BUT WE SHOULD TREAT IT LIKE CHEWING GUM - CHEW IT UP TO GET ALL THE FLAVOR OUT AND THEN SPIT THE REST OUT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE SWAYED BY CRITICISM WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SERVE OTHERS BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SAY HARD THINGS IN ORDER TO HELP A PERSON GROW.

FIFTH, SERVANT LEADERS ARE WARY OF PUBLIC PRAISE.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PAUL ISN'T ASSUMING THAT THEIR JUDGMENT OF HIM WILL BE NEGATIVE CRITICISM. IT COULD BE POSITIVE AS WELL; BUT AGAIN, ONLY GOD'S VERDICT CARRIES ANY WEIGHT. THEREFORE, HE DOESN'T SUFFER FROM THE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OF THE CORINTHIANS. AND HE WANTS THEM TO SHARE THIS ATTITUDE.

PAUL IS NOT INDIFFERENT ABOUT POSITIVE OPINIONS, BUT HE RECOGNIZES THAT IT'S FALLIBLE, RELATIVE, AND LIMITED; THEREFORE, IT'S UNRELIABLE TO DEPEND ON. WE SHOULD AVOID THE DESPAIR OF ASSUMING FAILURE IN ADVANCE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD OR THE PRESUMPTION OF TOTAL SUCCESS. SERVANT LEADERS SHOULD TAKE ALL RESPONSES WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

SERVANT LEADERS WHO BELIEVE PUBLIC PRAISE WILL BE TOO SELF-ABSORBED TO HELP OTHERS.

SIXTH, SERVANT LEADERS ARE WARY OF THEMSELVES.

IN FACT, I DO NOT EVEN JUDGE MYSELF. [4] FOR I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING AGAINST MYSELF, BUT I AM NOT THEREBY ACQUITTED. IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME. [5] THEREFORE DO NOT PRONOUNCE JUDGMENT BEFORE THE TIME, BEFORE THE LORD COMES, WHO WILL BRING TO LIGHT THE THINGS NOW HIDDEN IN DARKNESS AND WILL DISCLOSE THE PURPOSES OF THE HEART.

SO IT'S NOT JUST PUBLIC OPINION THAT PAUL IGNORES. "FOR I AM AWARE OF NOTHING AGAINST MYSELF" IS A DESCRIPTION OF HIS CONSCIOUS. NOW THE BIBLE VIEWS THE CONSCIOUS AS A POINTER ON A DIAL THAT REGISTERS WRONG OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON HOW THE MECHANISM HAS BEEN SET. PAUL THINKS HE'S FAITHFUL, BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. HE ONCE REGARDED HIMSELF AS "BLAMELESS ACCORDING TO THE LAW" OF GOD, BUT SOON LEARNED HOW TERRIBLY WRONG HE WAS. IF THE POINTING MECHANISM IS NOT CALIBRATED CORRECTLY, ITS READING IS DECEPTIVE.

SO PAUL DOESN'T ALLOW HIMSELF TO DWELL ON THE RESULTS. HE DOESN'T PAT HIMSELF ON THE BACK TO TELL HIM HOW GREAT HE IS AND HE DOESN'T TEAR HIMSELF DOWN TO TELL HIM HOW HORRIBLE HE IS. HE KNOWS THAT HIS OWN CONSCIOUS IS DECEPTIVE. ONLY GOD IS ABLE TO JUDGE US PERFECTLY. THAT'S WHY HE SAYS IN VERSE 5 THAT GOD, "WILL BRING TO LIGHT THE THINGS NOW HIDDEN IN DARKNESS AND WILL DISCLOSE THE PURPOSES OF THE HEART."  WE CAN'T EVEN JUDGE OURSELVES PERFECTLY. SO DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP AND DON'T CELEBRATE YOURSELF. SERVANT LEADERS PUT AWAY ALL SELF-ABSORPTION AND LET GOD TAKE CARE OF THE JUDGMENTS AND REWARDS.

TO JUDGE OURSELVES LEADS TO SELF-ABSORPTION AND AN INABILITY TO SERVE OTHERS.

IV. UNLIKE "WORLDLY" LEADERS, SERVANT LEADERS WILL ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. (V. 5B)

 

FINALLY, THERE'S A PROMISE FOR THOSE WHO PRACTICE SERVANT LEADERSHIP. LOOK AT THE END OF VERSE 5. IT READS...

[5] ... THEN EACH ONE WILL RECEIVE HIS COMMENDATION FROM GOD.

THE REWARD THAT WE WILL RECEIVE FROM GOD IS PRAISE. IN OUR MATERIALISTIC WORLD, WE PREFER TANGIBLE REWARDS, BUT RECEIVING PRAISE WAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST GOALS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. IT HELPS IDENTIFY ONE'S PLACE IN THE WORLD. PRAISE BESTOWS HONOR.

IRONICALLY, THE CORINTHIANS WERE THIRSTY FOR PRAISE AND THE WORLDLY SELF-ABSORBED WAY THAT THEY WENT ABOUT IT CAUSED CONFLICT WITHIN THE CHURCH.

PAUL MAKES THE POINT THAT THOSE WHO REPENT OF THE ARROGANCE AND THE WORLDLY WAY OF LEADERSHIP AND SEEK SERVANT LEADERSHIP WILL ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE GOAL THAT THEY WANT FROM THE ONLY PERSON THAT MATTERS - THAT IS, COMMENDATION FROM GOAL.

IT'S A GOOD THING TO DESIRE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR EFFORTS. WE'RE BUILT TO WANT APPROVAL, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST ONLY LEADS TO FIGHTING AND HUMBLING; SERVANT LEADERSHIP LEADS TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS AND COMMENDATION FROM GOD. CHOOSE SERVANT LEADERSHIP.