As you're turning to 2nd Corinthians chapter 12, tonight
we're going to look. Through from verses 11 to the
end. Of the chapter we're.
Going to take you to the gospels and it's Jesus and the feeding.
Of what's called the 5000, but there's probably in all
likelihood. Anywhere in the vicinity of 15
to 20. 1000 gathered. If not.
Maybe even more when. You you factor in family.
As well. And Jesus takes the five loaves
and the two. Fish and says that he.
He blesses it. He gives.
Thanks unto God, and he breaks it, and then.
Miraculously, somehow, they're all fed.
And not only are they all fed, but there's an abundant supply
that there are 12 baskets full of leftovers.
With this miracle and the crowd erupts.
We see in the story. In John chapter.
Six, you can have a. Reader of there later and they.
The crowd cry out. This is the Prophet.
They use that language. Let's crown him king and then.
Jesus, he slips. Away.
He doesn't buy into the crowd. Hoo ha.
And the carry on. He goes, it says, unto a
mountain by himself. Why is that there isn't Jesus?
Coming to Earth to be. The Crown King of Kings.
And the Lord of Lords. You see the?
Crowd at that point. In time what they wanted.
Was a bread king. Free feed.
Not a sole. Saviour, which is who Jesus had.
Actually come to be and. And days later.
He would challenge. The crowd and the people.
Gathered in John. Chapter 6, verse 66 with these
words. Eat my flesh and drink my blood.
And the same crowd that. Previously had declared this is
the Prophet. Let's crown him as a.
King, many had said. Wow, this is a hard saying.
What's he on about? And they left.
They walk out. And then Jesus turns to his 12.
His intimate followers and he says to them, the 12.
Will you leave to Peter? God bless Peter, Lord.
To whom shall we go? You have the words of life, but
for the mob. Whilst Peter had it.
In that moment. The mob following Jesus was too
much, you see, they wanted what they.
Wanted not what they needed. What Jesus had really come to
supply and now moving back to 2nd Corinthians. 12.
Picture Paul the Apostle. In this church is gathering of
believers in the city of Corinth.
He planted. The church he founded it.
He worked literally a day job so that they would not owe him
anything. He.
Put his hands to tent. Making during that time and he.
Received support from other. Surrounding churches in the
area. He had travelled thousands of
kilometres on these round trips, three times to visit and to
spend. Time when the with having
founded the church. And then departing and coming
back on on various visits. And their response to all of.
Paul's effort and work. And energy.
Oh, this is too much like the crowd.
To Jesus, it's a hard saying. And.
On top of that, they said of. Paul.
Paul, in fact. You're not very impressive.
Paul, you're not. Very wealthy?
You're not very. Rich, you're not.
Even good looking and honestly. We think you're scamming us.
And putting it in modern. Language here.
And so Paul has been. Defending himself in chapter
1011 and 12. Where we find ourselves.
But he's not defending. His ego, you see, he's defending
the gospel because what many in the church were trying to do was
to. Attack the.
Character of Paul and then. Therefore, to diminish the
message. Of Paul, which is the gospel
message and. In 2 Corinthians 1211 to 21.
Here he. Bares his soul now for.
Us to them. And it's as if he's like a
wounded spiritual. Father, and it's the heart.
And I want us to see it in this. Of a father or a.
Parent who has been rejected. By an ungrateful teenager.
You love me, you always just want to ruin my life.
What's for dinner? And this is.
The church here. And what we see in Paul is Paine
coming through in his. Words but in this.
Way and the response in. Particular that.
We're going to highlight and focus on.
We see that, Paul. Really mirrors Jesus in action.
And so this is where. We're going to go and and what
we're going to. Look at tonight, we're not.
Really studying, Paul. What we're?
We are studying is we're. Meeting Jesus and then.
Therefore, us as followers of Jesus, the actions.
That we're to adopt. In any type of leadership.
We might find. Ourselves and but particularly
as. Servants of the Lord.
And unto other. People, you see, All of us, you
think. Well, I'm not a leader.
But you actually do lead. Somewhere, as a parent, you are.
Like it or not, leading your children.
If you're a manager in the. Workplace you might have a team
of. People that are responsible,
perhaps to you. In in the line and the.
Structure that's set up. There and so you're.
Leading certainly in that capacity.
Amongst your friend circle you are leading.
Other friends. In your.
Actions in your mannerisms. In your words.
And if you're in leadership in the.
Church in any capacity then you are leading people.
As a like a pastor. Over a flock and and all of us
follow someone as well. And so from Paul's.
Heartbreak here and Jesus example.
As we'll connect it to we're we're going to.
Uncover 3 principles. That I want to look at of
servant leadership. That, I think will transform how
you lead. And how you follow I want us.
To see first of all. The importance of viewing
ourselves realistically in. Accordance with what scripture?
Reveals and declares of us. Because that was the problem of.
These false teachers in Corinth. Is that they had this.
Convoluted view of themselves, and it was.
Flowing on into. The gathering of believers
there. In Corinth.
And they were. Twisting their view consequently
of Paul I secondly. Want us to see?
The importance of valuing people over possession So how do we.
See our interactions with one another.
Is it a matter of we interact? With people out of what they
might benefit. Us or are we interacting?
With people out of us being a. Blessing on to them and.
Thirdly, we'll see that as. Leaders and as servant.
Leaders, there is a. Sacrifice that comes to us.
In the sense of. We need to be about building up
or what's called. Edifying other people.
But that comes at a cost. I want to see that in our verses
before us. So let's dive in.
Verse 11 to 12 is where we'll first have our focus.
I have become a fool reading. From the new King James.
Version Paul says I have. Become a fool in boasting.
You've compelled me. So for a while here.
He has been. Writing kind of how they've
been. Acting and behaving.
So all right, I'll answer a fool.
According to their folly. For I ought to have.
Been commended by you, for in nothing was I.
Behind the most eminent. Apostles.
And there's a little. Holy sarcasm going on here and
in this because this is the declaration of some of those in.
Corinth of themselves. Or we're the eminent apostles.
The right Royal Reverend. Is that?
Pomp and that ceremony. And that self.
Aggrandizing though I am. Nothing, he says.
Truly, the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you
with. All.
Perseverance in signs and wonders, and mighty.
Deeds so first of. All we're we're seeing this as
our point. We need to view.
Ourselves realistically and Paul says.
You know, you guys, the church in Corinth, you guys.
Should have been in fact. My biggest supporters and
defenders. And.
He had already. Pointed out in chapter 3 verse 2
that. He saw them as his resume.
Or his his letters of commendation.
It was common. Back then, as I explained.
For people to travel around and and to have letters or
certificates of endorsement almost.
Like we today would call them. A letter of reference, Paul.
Said I don't need that because you guys know.
You're the proof of transformed. Lives of the the Gospel.
At work in and through me. But now, now the church in
Corinth. Were chasing the smooth talking
super apostles. With their apparent visions.
Last week we looked at. And the swagger and.
Ego that goes with it. And Paul all.
The way through we're seeing. In his writing has been very.
Reluctant to boast about himself.
Preferring to highlight his weaknesses.
And to highlight Christ. Being magnified in and through.
For where I am weak. He is strong.
He has said, but here, with sarcasm, he says, You forced me.
To it for I ought to. Have been commended by you.
And they changed lives had. Proved his ministry was.
Genuine, but they'd forgotten. That and yet now.
They're not defending. Him and it's.
And it's like they're. Almost debating where the
gravity. Exists.
It seems like a. Pointless thing that they're
challenging. Paul's apostleship.
It should be obvious to them. Proof that he has been at.
Work with the power of. God in their presence, and he
reminds. Them of the signs.
Of his apostleship. And.
It's not just the miracles. Though he mentions them like.
Healing, or maybe even. Raising of the Dead but.
First, what does he identify? As a mark as a.
Feature of his apostleship, he says with perseverance.
With patience. That means endurance and
responsibility, not quitting when things get.
Hard like the false teachers would have been apartment to do.
In their midst and then come the signs and the.
Wonders as he points. Out and the mighty works and and
these signs. And wonders would.
Authenticate the message. That he'd been declaring to.
Them and the wonders would evoke.
Oh yes, and the mighty works show divine power.
But Paul did. All of these whilst.
Preaching and teaching of Christ.
Crucified and of Christ risen. And of the.
Salvation that comes in and. Through Jesus name.
Now here's the. Key and the point of.
These verses that I want us to focus on.
Paul had a realistic. View of himself, he says.
In nothing was I inferior to the most eminent.
Apostles. And then what does he say
afterwards? Though I am nothing.
And what this is, is. In Christ, he says, I'm equal to
any of these others. Any of these other apostles, and
whether? They be self.
Identified or the legitimate ones.
The Peter, the James, and the Johns.
Of this world. Paul said I am equal in.
Christ to them I'm not inferior. To the Super apostles.
But he says. In me I am nothing.
And what that is? Is an, is an understanding and
an. An out and out declaration of in
Christ. I can do all.
Things but in and of myself. And I've got nothing to offer.
It's not about me, it's about. Jesus Christ and Him.
Glorified. And so this realistic.
Self view sets Paul apart. From the false.
Teachers there in Corinth who? Who boasted using worldly?
Measures and standards like oratory.
Looks, the visions and the revelations.
That they. You know, purportedly had and
the. Corinthians, then, were buying
into. This and the worldly views.
And and they were putting Paul in this.
Impossible spot. Here to defend himself and.
It seems defensive in some respects.
Or stay silent and let the church suffer and so.
Paul comes in. Here and now he must.
Intervene and where they should have commended him, instead
they're questioning him and they're enamoured.
With these super apostles. It's kind of like.
Today in in modern church. In in modern Christianity, where
many people. Seem to chase, sort of.
Flashy celebrity preachers whilst ignoring.
Faithful. Shepherds who are dedicated to.
God's Word. But I.
Want to make the connection? To Jesus Christ.
Paul was very much like. Christ, in this scenario I.
Want to take you to a story in? Mark chapter 8.
It's Jesus healing a. Blind man in a.
Village called Bethsaida. And they bring this blind.
Man to Jesus, the stories. Found in Mark chapter 8, they
bring this blind man to. Jesus, and they beg him for.
Healing of this individual. He takes this man out of the.
Village and Jesus. Does something strange.
He. Spits.
In the man's eyes. And he lays hands on him.
And at first touch. The man.
Cries out. I I see people.
I see people. But they're like trees walking.
And then the second touch it's. 2020 Vision.
He's healed and Jesus. In that moment, after that,
Miracle could have boasted. See, I'm the light of the world.
Look at what I've just done. Gather around everybody and see.
How wonderful, how mighty, How? Glorious I am.
But instead, his message to the blind.
Man, and to those. Present is don't tell anyone.
Why? Jesus would say these words.
I am the father of one. Jesus would say this in.
Reference to himself. I can do nothing on my own but
the will of him. Who sent me?
And if Jesus had this? Right understanding of his
relationship with God the Father and Paul certainly mirrors.
This for us in this text. Here where in.
Christ, I can do all. Things through him, but in
myself I am nothing. Then how much?
More so. You and I, let me give you a.
Modern, I think, illustration. In an Australian context that
highlights this. Maybe you've heard of the name
Nicola? Ollislaus as a mouthful.
She's a female high jumper. She broke Australia.
'S women's high jump. Record by.
Soaring over 2 metres. At the national championships in
2021 in Sydney. And that was something that no
one else had achieved. Before the crowd roared.
As you would expect. But she didn't strut around.
And we'll take selfie after selfie.
Instead. She pulled out her notepad.
As is her custom. A post.
Jump ritual that she has. She rates her jump out of. 10
and her take. Off out of 10 and then she
referenced a. Bible verse that she has in fact
tattooed on her wrist. Philippians 413.
I can do all things. Through Christ who strengthens
me. Fast forward to the Paris.
Olympics 2020. Four and, you know, stadium.
Lights there 80,000 fans and the.
Global eyes that are on her. She clears a metre 98 for the
silver medal post. Jump.
She doesn't claim the glory. She closes her eyes, clinches of
fears and praise. It's not about me.
It's about making Jesus known. Her Puma spikes.
Etched. With revival because her vision.
Is. Spiritual heights, not just
physical ones. She's Co founded an organisation
called Everlasting. Crowns, which is a ministry for.
Christian. Athletes to disciple others
saying. Sport is.
Not who I am. Faith is I jump.
For the glory of God. Win or lose.
And even in so called failures. Like a bronze.
At the 2020. 3 worlds she rates herself.
Humbly, she said. My body has gotten over the bar
once before. I know what to fix, but I know.
This that God. Gets me there, no ego.
No excuses, just realistic confidence.
In. Christ, she said.
I clear. Any height in myself I'm.
Just a tall girl from NSW. She's got it.
That's an insight into Paul. That we see here.
Confident in Christ, humbled. In self.
The Corinthians, the believers, they're in the church, they're,
they're chasing super apostles. Smooth.
Talking vision, clamming, strutting around.
It's all about me. The Instagram philtre preachers.
And Paul's like, you know. I was with you for. 18 months I
worked a day. Job, I got shipwrecked for you.
And you're ghosting me for Ted talk motivators.
I've become foolish. In my talking so let's apply
this you know we talked about us being.
Leaders and if. You're a leader in any.
Capacity don't chase. Titles don't.
Chase, applause, boast in weakness.
In the workplace, you might be under.
Somebody and you might report. To a manager who perhaps?
Quietly seems to keep the team afloat.
You know they might. Cover perhaps late.
Reports for you or? They might mentor you through
mistakes or something like that, but here's what they they they
don't do. They never.
Take credit. For things so maybe acknowledge.
That. Send that boss.
Send that manager a little. Thanks for all that you do.
I appreciate what you've done. Maybe freak them out with.
This I see Jesus in how you act. Parents, when your teen says
you're clueless. Or they're being.
Ungrateful like the Corinthians, forgetting all that you do,
remember your. Strength isn't in being.
Cool, it's in. Christ powered perseverance.
So tonight view yourself realistically.
I am. A servant of Jesus.
Christ without. Him I'm nothing.
Secondly. Value people over possession.
So let's consider our interactions.
With others and we'll see. In the way that Paul writes here
of the attitude. That He had as one for us to
emulate in verse 13 through to 18.
There'll be a bit of a crossover from 17 on in the 3rd .4 verse
13. What is it?
In which you were inferior. To other churches, except.
That I myself was not burdensome to you.
Forgive me this wrong. So in other words, he said.
All the other churches supported.
Me. Provided a salary, so to speak.
And So what is it in you guys? That's different.
Nothing except that. I didn't burden you with.
That or pardon. Me forgive me this wrong now for
the third time verse 14. I'm ready.
To come to you and I will not be burdensome to you, for I do not
seek yours, but you, for. The children.
Ought not to. Lay out for the parents.
But the parents for the children and every kid here has
underlined that and highlighted that right And I will very
gladly spend and be. Spent for your souls.
Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I'm loved.
And every parent has highlighted that but be.
That as it may. I did not.
Burden you verse 16 nevertheless.
Being. Crafty, I caught you by.
Cunning so here, now he's. He's taking words and things.
That were said of him. Back to them.
So he's quoting them. Effectively.
Here did I take advantage? Of you.
By any of those whom I sent to you, I urged Titus Verse. 18 and
sent our brother. With him.
Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk?
In the same spirit. Did we not?
Walk in the same steps. Forgive me this wrong, he says.
I will not be a burden to you. Because what I want is not.
Possessions but you. I will very gladly.
Spend and be spent for you. Even if the more I love you.
The less I'm loved. There's a bit of a sarcasm alert
here in Paul's words here. You know, please forgive.
Me for not sending a PayPal. Request after my.
Preaching and teaching to you guys.
The false teachers were like, pay me or I'm out, support us.
Paul was no, I I made tents for 18 months that I was with you so
that you wouldn't owe me a dime, he says.
I don't. Get this message clear.
I don't want your. Stuff.
What I'm about? Is is your hearts.
And the false. Teachers in Corinth were
demanding pay, claiming that their calibre.
Deserved it. And Paul didn't because he's.
Knew he knew that his ministry was worth it and he.
Refused to burden them. Like a parent.
Foregoing things, foregoing. Privileges for their child.
'S benefit. And if we could sit all of the
kids. Down with their parents.
And their parents could tell them of all the times.
That they've. Sacrificed or or given up?
Things so that their kids. Could go with something or
benefit from it and it and it hurt him.
Deeply as their spiritual father.
The fact that he had. Given so much and.
And wanted to bless them and bless them and.
And they were now being. So flippant, so disregarding.
Of him and his. Powerful statement here.
I do not seek yours, but you, Paul.
Reveals this attitude that he is interested.
In. People not in programmes, not in
possessions. Not in in in profit, not in any
benefit that he could derive from them.
He. Rather.
Wants their hearts growing in. Christ Jesus, he doesn't want
their wallets. And Paul saw people again.
Not as what? Benefits that could be derived.
From them but as how he. Could be a blessing and a
benefit. Instead to them.
And in that we see Jesus heart. And Jesus was all about.
Seeking and saving the lost. So that they could experience
fullness in him, forgiveness and grace.
And mercy, salvation that would lead to.
A joyful giving, then and. Service as we respond.
To that. Contrast that to the false.
Teachers in Corinth and and they saw people.
As a means to an. End of audiences of.
Engagements of gain of prestige. Of of.
Building a personal empire. Of obtaining a celebrity status
of having a certain following. As a consequence, Paul
illustrates from nature, no. It's the parents that lay.
Out for the children, not. Vice versa and as their.
Spiritual parent, he says. I'm going to provide selflessly.
For you, even if. It's unappreciated, even if
I'll. Pour out.
Everything and and you'll love me less The Corinthians.
Were withholding. Love alleging corruption, they
said. Paul, you're crafty.
And in your craftiness? You use surrogates like.
Titus, when you sent him to us to exploit us.
How absurd is? That it actually travelled
thousands of kilometres 3 times. Via boat walking on top.
Of that. Week's worth of travel.
Supported. By other churches and never.
Asked them for a cent. In Corinth.
And yet they suspected a hook. Some kind of?
Question over Paul's pure motives here Paul should have
been appreciated by them, but he wasn't he wasn't burdensome,
he'd sought their. Best, and yet the more.
It seemed he loved. The less he was loved.
It's like trying to love the hard to love the difficult to
love and. We've all got that, maybe.
It's in your family. Maybe it's a a child, a son or a
daughter. Maybe it's a brother or a
sister. It's a colleague at work or a
boss. Somebody that you're pouring in
time and energy and effort, maybe even perhaps money, and
you're getting nothing. Back even suspicion.
One morning, a mother awakes. To find a bill on the kitchen
bench. Top from her son.
Mowing the lawn it. Says $10.
Doing dishes $5 Taking out the. Trash $3.
Sum total $18. She smiles, says nothing.
And that night he finds. Her bill on his pillow.
Nine months carrying you. $0.00. 5. 176 Three.
AM feedings $0.00. Eight ER visits for broken bones
$0.00. Numerous prayers for you $0.00.
Love Mum? Paul's attitude.
Was that wasn't it? I'll, I'll gladly be.
Broken for your soul, even if you say.
No, thank you. Let's connect it to Jesus.
You remember a rich young. Ruler in mark.
Chapter 10 runs up to Jesus says.
Good teacher, good teacher, What must I do?
To inherit eternal life and and Jesus makes this.
Statement to him identifying the.
Thing that was holding this fellow back.
Sell everything. Give to.
The poor follow me and the young man.
Walks away very. Sad tells us in the.
Scripture because he had. Great wealth.
And Jesus didn't. Chase him down after that.
Wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait.
OK, maybe. There's been a misunderstanding
here. Just the 10%.
Tithe will be fine. He didn't.
Invoice him for his. Ungratefulness.
You know what? You came to me and I gave you an
answer, right? That's it.
I'm done. I'm sending you a bill.
Consultation fee 50 talents. Pay up.
Jesus didn't. Do any of that?
Why? Because Jesus concern was the
man's heart. It had nothing to do with the
man's wallet but it. Was the man's.
Heart and the. Wallet that had captured that
heart. Paul mirrors this for us.
He. Says I.
Don't want your money I. Don't need your possessions, I
want your soul connected. To Jesus.
So tonight. How do you see people?
How do you see your? Interactions.
With others as a as. A means to an end.
For what they can. Supply to you.
You know if I just. If I just connect with so and so
then. Maybe.
Maybe later. You know, I've got that meeting
or I've got that, that thing coming up.
I'll be able to just kind of tap into that connection and you
know, that'll be. Advantageous to us or this?
Situation. So as a leader, flip the script
you know, instead of measuring. By.
By profit generated by budgets. Raised maybe see how people are
being built up the next team meeting.
You could ask. How can?
How can I? Invest in in.
Growth in in in my team. This month, value people over.
Programmes in that way. As employees.
Again, maybe you've got a a. Boss who quietly covers your.
Shifts when? When life.
Gets hard, you know I've. Had this situation pop up with
the kids. Or.
I'm not feeling the best. And and they take.
Care of it. Maybe they mentor you through
hard or difficult. Projects and and they never.
Demand payback for that. Don't be ungrateful.
Like the Corinthians or like a spoilt teenager?
Learn from the Corinthians era. Be thankful, be appreciative.
If you're a student. You're at school, at university.
And a group mate maybe shares their notes or you've missed
class they they might help with. Suggestions in the lead up to an
assignment or an? Assessment without expecting any
credit or maybe even you've got this blessing that they they
pray with you or. For you with exams or something
else going on? Don't abandoned them or.
Chase after the so called. Cool kids and leave them in the
lurch. Learn from the Corinthians era.
More importantly, in the church family.
You know that. Brother or that sister who prays
for you. Who brings meals when you're?
Sick. Who listens for hours on end
without asking for favours? Don't overlook.
Them for super spiritual influences.
Be a blessing. Back thank them, you know.
You're you're building me up in Christ.
You're not tearing me down, I think.
You. For that I thank God.
For you how can how? Can I be a blessing?
How? Can I?
How can I? Serve you this week.
So consider your interactions with.
People and and. Value people.
Over. Possessions over profit over
certain things that maybe be. Derived as a benefit.
From them and this week maybe. Pour into people like Paul.
Heart first. No receipt needed.
Let's finish this. We'll read again from.
Verse 17 to 21 as we consider the sacrifice that comes for the
edification of others. Did I take advantage of?
You by any of. Those whom I sent.
To you, I urged. Titus and sent our brother.
With him did Titus take. Advantage of you.
Did we not walk? In the same spirit.
Did we not walk in the same steps again?
Verse 19 Do you think that we. Excuse ourselves to you.
We speak. Before God in Christ.
But we do all things beloved. For your edification for I.
Fear. Lest when I come, I shall not.
Find you such as I wish. And that I shall be found by
some. Of you.
Such as you do not. Wish.
Lest. There be contentions,
jealousies, outbursts. Of wrath, selfish ambitions.
Back bitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults, lest.
When I come. Again verse 21 my God will
humble. Me, among you and I.
Shall mourn for many. Who have sinned before and have
not repented. Of the uncleanness, fornication
and. Lewdness, which they have
practised. Paul here to.
Summarise what we've. Just read He said everything.
We. Did was fear strengthening to?
Uplift. You to upbuild, You to edify,
you and I, I fear. That when I come.
Visit. Here's what I'm going to.
Find quarrelling. Jealousy, gossip, Sexual.
Immorality and I'll. Have to mourn, I'll have to.
Correct and and it. Will be difficult and tough.
For you and Paul's. Heartbroken here, he says.
You. Know I'm I'm dying.
For you I'm I'm sacrificing. For you I'm, I'm giving.
For you, I'm serving you and. And you're.
Fighting over the Wi-Fi. Paul exposes their accusations
here. His ministry had been
sacrificial. From.
Start to end spending for their souls and everyone he sent.
Titus and and others, they had the same.
Heart the same desire for edification, for building them
up, but he fears finding sin. Rampant in their midst.
Social. Sins like debates, envy, anger,
selfish ambition, gossip, slander, he mentions.
Sexual sins like uncleanness, fornication, lewdness.
This this downward. Spiral and you're wondering.
Where is this coming? From you see, sin does not lie
dormant in our. Hearts.
And like Levin, it spreads and it roots.
Bitterness. And then it defiles and it
spreads. On into many other.
Things and greater problems and and Corinth we've we've.
Discovered as a city was vile. Wasn't it a sin centre?
Like a modern day Las. Vegas.
Multiplied. Even when you go back into the
history of it and in the. Church there, we've discovered
that. Grace abounded.
Yes. But they they looked lightly.
On sin and Pauls concern was instead of the.
Building up of one another that they were tearing down and
whilst he was. Building them up.
And edifying them. They were rejecting his work and
this, this bitterness. Was taking root in their.
Hearts and as they were starting to esteem themselves.
Far greater than than others. I mean if they.
Esteem themselves greater than Paul.
That was flowing. Onto their attitude to others.
And it was evident in these these sins.
Here that he was. He was.
Worried that he was going to encounter in their visit.
And Paul's concern? Is that now I'm going to have to
come and the. Edification the building up that
I'm going to need to. Bring is going to.
Need to be disciplined. It's going to mean a.
Difficult, tough word and so. Paul here reveals his heart.
He's in for the long haul. He's wanting to protect them.
He's going to have to get. Dirty roll up the.
Sleeves when he visits and deal with some.
Stuff unlike the the false. Teachers in their midst.
But everything he did, as we've seen, as we've studied his
words, everything he wrote, everything he prayed about.
Was for their edification for their growth.
For their maturity. And he's willing to.
Sacrifice so much in order. For that to happen.
He's willing to sacrifice his reputation.
He. You know things are being said
about. Paul, that you and I would break
under. He's not avoiding conflict.
We're seeing that in there. Some of us.
We run from. Conflict, and we find conflict.
Difficult, particularly. When we're needing to correct.
Someone in line with the word of God.
He's not worried about relational strain.
He's not worried about the. Monetary.
Rights that he could have claimed and he's given all.
Of that up so that they can be. Edified in verse 19.
Built up. And in this way he models Jesus.
Attitude and I want to. Take us to an example.
Of Jesus with. The woman at the Well in John
chapter. Four, he travelled through
Samaria when. Typically, Jews would avoid
Samaria like the. Plague for those half breeds.
That live there he sits at a well yes exhausted and tired as
the disciples are sent into the nearby town to obtain the.
Food needed and a woman comes in the middle of the day.
Who's had five? Husbands and is currently.
Living with her. Boyfriend.
And there's that. Interaction.
You know the story. And Jesus asks her, and says
please. Give me a drink.
And she's like. You're talking to me, you being
a man and a. Jew and me being a.
Woman and a Samaritan. And through it, he offers
himself the living. Water that will quench all
thirst and. She realises.
Finally cottoning on that he is the Messiah, the promised.
One salvation has come. She runs into the into that
village. Come, come and see a man who
told. Me everything I did and.
The whole village believes. In Jesus as Messiah my.
Point. Is that Jesus had ventured.
Geographically. It was a travel into Samaria
socially and those Samaritans and.
Heroin. Immoral woman emotionally.
There was the potential. Of of rejection and the risk.
Of that. But Jesus did it.
All for her edification, for her soul, and for that of the
village and. Paul Mirrors is here.
You know. I'll travel thousands of.
Kilometres if needs be. To come and visit with you
again. I'll face slander in person.
I'll work a day job. All men tents.
I'll deal with the sin issues if I have.
To when I come visit. But know this, that it's all for
your growth, it's all for your edification.
So let's seek to apply this. In our lives.
In in a modern. Church context and and know
that. Whilst Paul's sacrifice wasn't.
Theory. It was tangible, costly.
Aimed at growth? Here's how.
You and I could. Realistically live out this.
In the day to day. It might be.
Hospitality that costs. You know you could sacrifice.
Give up the the Sunday afternoon nap.
The resources open up the home. Host a struggling family, maybe.
For for lunch after church. They leave.
Refreshed, not just simply fed. Why?
Because you've listened. You've prayed.
You've. You've shared a scripture,
perhaps that spoke to their pain.
And so maybe, maybe this week it's.
You know I'm going to text 11 particular.
Family this week and say. Hey, lunch.
At our place after church, no agenda, just fellowship.
Maybe it's mentorship. But comes with a cost it's.
Perhaps meeting regularly with a younger believer.
Dealing with some difficulties what it means to.
Live a holy life following. Jesus Christ, cancel that
Netflix night. Risk the awkwardness.
Speak truth in love the edification might come that
they. Understand what it.
Means to follow Jesus. They repent, they grow, they
they maybe even start discipling.
Someone else? So the action could.
Be you know what I'm. Going to identify someone.
Who needs a pull? Send the invite could.
Be thirdly confrontation that heals.
There's gossip. In your group of friends.
Risk being called Judge Mental. The group repents Unity.
Returns outsiders. Notice the difference?
In the group, another example. Might be sacrifice that's
invisible, arriving perhaps early before the service help.
Set up clean. Prepare, pray for the service.
No one sees it. The church.
Consequently, functions smoothly, people feel welcomed,
God is glorified. They're just.
Some simple examples maybe, but you can ask the question.
What am I willing to? Lose time, comfort, reputation
so that someone else gains Christ.
And then maybe this week, pick one sacrifice and ask, Lord help
me with that. To do this to follow through.
And I'm going to trust. You with with the result of.
That and and my. Hope my goal is that.
Someone will be edified. Built up in you, Lord Jesus
Christ. So as we wrap.
This as we finish, remember. Paul's heartache here isn't just
history. That we've been looking at it's
it's a mirror for. US.
In these verses, he models servant leadership.
Particularly in the midst of pain, we've seen that he.
Really has a a good understanding of who he is.
In Christ. I'm equal.
I'm I'm on par with the Super apostles.
But of myself, I'm nothing. He values people over
possessions. It's not about what?
You can give me I'm. I'm not.
I'm not about obtaining those things.
I'm I'm. After your soul.
Being connected to Jesus and then in order.
For that to happen, he was willing to sacrifice for their.
Edification for them to be built up, and I think if you and I
would adopt those principles, it would transform our lives.
Powerfully in any leadership that we find ourselves.
And certainly in our our. Relationships one to another.
But ultimately, the point is to Jesus.
He's the ultimate. Servant leader crucified in
weakness. He lived by the power of the
Father. He endured misunderstanding and
rejection, all for our benefit. And if you're a follower of.
Jesus tonight draw his. Strength to persevere.
Even when, like Paul here, you're unloved.
In return, there's a story. Told of Leonardo da Vinci.
Who was starting one of his masterpieces and.
He'd sketched. And he'd painted and he'd.
Begun to pour his soul. Into it and then stopping, he
handed the brush. To one of his nervous.
Students finish it. Is all that he simply?
Said the students response. Maestro, I'm not worthy.
And Da Vinci replied will not what I have done.
Inspire you to do your best it's.
A simple little story and Jesus he.
Started the canvas if you. Want to think of it that way?
Paul continued it. Now it's our turn.
Paul's not just a. A wounded dad here in this
story. With ungrateful teenagers that
he's writing. To He's a mirror.
Of Jesus. You know Jesus should have been
commended. We spoke of the feeding of the
5000, but you know many. Times as he would perform these
miracles before. Them and and the Pharisees.
Would ridicule. I mean one of the most.
Ridiculous things said was he's from Satan, he.
Was rejected. He should have been appreciated.
He he healed the lepers and and Jesus staggers that only one
from the 10 had. Returned to say.
Thanks. He was crucified.
Should have been obeyed. But yet they love darkness
still. He ventured to the cross.
Why for our? Benefit.
For our. Edification because Jesus didn't
quit. Though his love.
Was not returned. And nor did Paul.
As followers of Jesus tonight, neither should we.
Let's pray for God to help us to persevere.
In that Lord, we thank you. For your word tonight and thank
you for your people present and gathered here.
Help us with this high calling. That we've seen modelled in.
You as. As Paul also displayed his
relationship with the church in Corinth.
Lord, if if we're to be followers of you, Lord Jesus.
And servants of you, then. These principles highlighted in
our verses for us to follow. We need your strength.
We need your capacity. In ourselves we are nothing but
in you, Lord. God, all things are possible.
Help us to love with your love. Help us to see others with your
eyes. Help us to sacrifice where
needed. Help us to be a blessing where
we can. Lord Guide.
Us and direct us in this way, in this fashion, that we might live
lives. That honour you and reflect you.
Lord God, now I pray. For all gathered here tonight,
that you would bless them, that you would guide them, you would
be with them. And this week we pray and ask in
Jesus. Mighty name.
Amen. Amen.