Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 reflect his deep commitment to the Gospel and his flexibility in approach: “To the Jews I became like a Jew…to those under the law I became like one under the law…to those without the law I became like one without the law…to the weak I became weak” (NET). His goal wasn’t to compromise God’s truth but to meet people where they were so they might be saved.
This passage demonstrates a beautiful balance between compassion and conviction. Paul adapted to different cultural norms and practices, not to dilute the Gospel but to remove unnecessary barriers. For instance, he honored Jewish customs when among Jews and respected Gentile freedoms when among Gentiles. However, he never compromised Christ’s commands or the core truths of salvation. Paul’s flexibility was driven by a singular purpose: that he might “by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
This principle challenges us today. How often do we insist on our own preferences or traditions at the expense of reaching others? Compassion calls us to understand and engage with people in their context, but this must always be rooted in Christ’s truth. Whether it’s learning someone’s culture, finding common ground, or adjusting our methods, we’re called to prioritize the Gospel over personal comfort.
Meeting someone where they are doesn’t mean affirming sin or compromising righteousness. Paul’s approach shows that we can hold fast to the Gospel while extending grace and empathy to others. Consider how Jesus Himself did this—eating with sinners, speaking to the Samaritan woman, and healing on the Sabbath. He embodied truth and grace perfectly, offering salvation without ever wavering from God’s standards.
Are there ways you can reflect this in your own life? Maybe it’s learning to communicate the Gospel in ways that resonate with someone’s background or letting go of traditions that have become barriers rather than bridges. Let’s follow Paul’s example of compassion without compromise, always pointing others to Christ’s unchanging truth.
The phrase “Judge not, lest ye be judged” has become a cultural catchphrase, often used to discourage any form of moral discernment. Yet in 1 Corinthians 5, Paul offers a strikingly different perspective, reminding us that judging is not only appropriate in some contexts—it’s necessary. Paul tells the Corinthian church to cast out a brother engaging in blatant and unrepentant sin, saying, “For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside?” (1 Corinthians 5:12, NET).
Paul’s teaching here clarifies a common misconception. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1 aren’t a blanket prohibition against all judgment but a warning against hypocritical and self-righteous judgment. We’re called to examine our own hearts before addressing sin in others (Matthew 7:3–5). Paul builds on this, differentiating between judging outsiders—those who don’t claim to follow Christ—and judging those within the church who profess faith but live in open rebellion against God’s commands.
This kind of judgment isn’t about condemnation but restoration. The goal of church discipline, as harsh as it may seem, is redemptive. By removing the immoral brother, the church sends a clear message that sin cannot be tolerated in the community of believers, while also creating space for repentance and reconciliation. Paul writes, “Deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5).
In a world that often prioritizes tolerance over truth, this passage challenges us to embrace a higher standard of love—one that doesn’t ignore sin but confronts it for the sake of holiness. It also reminds us to leave ultimate judgment of the ungodly to God, who judges with perfect justice and mercy.
Are there areas where you’ve avoided addressing sin because it feels uncomfortable or counter-cultural? Paul’s words urge us to be bold yet humble, seeking restoration and standing firm in the truth of the Gospel.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3 are a profound reminder that the foundation of our lives and ministries must be Jesus Christ. Everything we build on that foundation will ultimately be tested by fire, revealing whether it was done for God’s glory or to gain the fleeting approval of others. It’s tempting to seek praise from people, but Paul makes it clear that our work is ultimately evaluated by God, not by human standards.
When we live to please others, we risk compromising God’s call on our lives. Paul cautions the Corinthians not to boast in human leaders or wisdom because they belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God (1 Corinthians 3:21–23). This realignment of perspective is crucial. If we’re ashamed to stand firm in God’s truth because it might make us unpopular, we’re ultimately ashamed of Him—and that’s a sobering thought. Jesus Himself said, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words…the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He comes in His glory” (Luke 9:26).
This doesn’t mean we should actively seek to upset people or ignore the importance of kindness. As Paul says in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.” However, when faced with a choice between obedience to God and the approval of man, the answer should always be clear. Pleasing God isn’t about arrogance or defiance but about faithfulness.
In a world that increasingly prioritizes popularity and consensus, ask yourself: Whose praise do you seek? Are your decisions shaped more by fear of disapproval or by a desire to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23)? Living for God’s glory may not always make sense to others, but it’s the only life that will stand the test of eternity.
The tension between Jesus and the Pharisees is unmistakable in John 7–8. While the Pharisees were preoccupied with protecting their reputation and holding onto their authority, Jesus consistently pointed back to the Father’s glory, not His own. He challenges them — and us — with a radical reorientation: working for the Kingdom requires humility and surrender. It’s not about seeking recognition or credit but about serving God’s greater purpose.
Jesus exemplified this throughout His ministry. Even when performing miracles, He often asked people to keep it quiet, showing that the work of the Kingdom wasn’t about personal fame. His focus remained on fulfilling His mission, regardless of whether He received public acknowledgment. In Luke 9, we see something similar when people who were eager to follow Him were held back by their personal concerns. Jesus’ response was direct: Kingdom work demands total commitment, not partial loyalty based on how much recognition we might get.
This teaching pushes against our modern desire for affirmation and recognition. Whether we serve in ministry, at work, or even in our personal lives, the temptation to crave acknowledgment can be subtle but real. The problem comes when our pursuit of credit eclipses the mission itself. If we work for applause rather than for God’s glory, we miss the essence of what it means to serve in the Kingdom.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians give clarity here: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). It’s a reminder that we’re not here to build our own reputation but to serve the One whose Kingdom is eternal. The challenge for each of us is to ask: Who am I serving, and why? Is my desire to be recognized greater than my desire to glorify God?
At the end of the day, there’s only room for one name on the marquee. Should it be yours or Jesus’?
In Isaiah 58, the prophet addresses a people who are outwardly religious but whose hearts are far from God. They fast and engage in rituals, yet their actions are marred by injustice and a lack of compassion. The text reveals a profound disconnect between their religious observances and their daily behavior. Despite their fervent practices, their true spiritual state is revealed by their exploitation of others and their failure to address the needs of the oppressed.
Isaiah 58:1-5 portrays a scene where the people question why God seems indifferent to their fasting and religious acts. They are perplexed that their piety is not met with divine favor. The answer comes through a scathing critique of their hypocrisy: “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” (Isaiah 58:5, NIV). God is not interested in mere ritualistic displays of devotion; He desires a genuine transformation of the heart that manifests in justice, mercy, and love.
This critique resonates deeply with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13, where he asserts that without love, all our spiritual gifts and efforts are meaningless: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). Paul’s vivid imagery underscores the futility of spiritual achievements devoid of love. Just as Isaiah condemns the empty rituals of the Israelites, Paul warns against the emptiness of religious acts performed without love.
Both passages challenge us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Are our religious practices a mere facade, or do they reflect a heart transformed by God’s love? In Isaiah, God calls for a fast that loosens the chains of injustice and feeds the hungry. Similarly, Paul calls for a love that surpasses all spiritual gifts, emphasizing that genuine love is the essence of true spirituality.
The phrase “sound and fury signifying nothing” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth echoes the futility of actions that lack genuine substance. If our worship and service are not rooted in love and justice, they are nothing more than hollow noises. True spirituality is not about the grandeur of our actions but the depth of our love and compassion.
As we reflect on Isaiah 58 and 1 Corinthians 13, let us ask ourselves: Are our practices and expressions of faith genuine, or are they empty noise? May our lives be marked not by hollow rituals but by a profound love that transforms our relationships and the world around us.
During the dedication of the temple, Solomon offers a lengthy prayer before the assembly. This portion stood out for me:
“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn backto you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy
1 Kings 8:46-50, NIV
Note the progression here, I think this may be something a lot of us can identify with — I know I can.
We sin
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God — Rom 3:23, NIV
God gives us over to our enemies
Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you — Gen 4:7b, NIV
We see the consequences of our sin
Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh — 1Co 5:5a, NIV
We repent of AND turn from our sin
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways — 2Ch 7:14a, NIV
God hears us
Then I will hear from heaven — 2Ch 7:14b, NIV
God forgives us
And I will forgive their sin — 2Ch 7:14c, NIV
We are released from the bondage of our sin
So that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord — 1Co 5:5b, NIV
This is the process. If you are dealing with the consequences of sin, that’s God giving you what you’ve earned — that’s justice. If you ask for forgiveness and seek God, turning away from your sin, God will hear you and cover you with his grace — that’s mercy.
He knows we are incapable of perfection, and so Jesus came to fulfill that requirement. If we want to be covered by the blood of Jesus at Calvary, then we need to draw near to him and stand under His umbrella of grace.
While David is separated from Michal (who helped saved his life in his flight from Saul) he married two other women. And here again we are told that he gathered “more” wives and concubines. Most of David’s life and actions… 99% (probably MORE than that if we’re going by word count) is upright, virtuous, and worthy of emulation. The way he desires unity, honours the Lord, and seeks His counsel in every leadership decision is commendable. But here we have him amassing wives, in fairly straightforward contravention of Deuteronomy 17:17’s command for kings not to take many wives.
If you know the story of David, you know that this chink in his armour — this Achilles’ heel — will lead to the biggest and most egregious series of sins and terrible decisions that will leave an indelible scar on his story for the rest of time.
I remember years ago hearing famous evangelist Greg Laurie talk about the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) and cleverly referring to them as Gold, Glory, and Girls/Guys. Every sin boils down to one of these three. And one of them is your weakness. One of them is your vector of attack. And when Satan comes for you, he isn’t going to go after your strong side. He’s going after your weak side! Shore up the area where you are most vulnerable. Take every thought captive (1 Corinthians 10:5) and force it into submission to Christ. Like anything else, you need to train the part of you that is weak to become strong. Find an accountability partner, talk openly about those things which represent your vector of attack. Allow the sunlight to prevent the mold of sin from forming in your life.
I guess what I’m saying is: don’t struggle alone and hope it goes away. Take practical steps to defend the weakest part of you against attacks and temptations from Satan.
Today’s devotional is a quick one. While the desire of Reuben and Gad to settle OUTSIDE of the Promised Land is a curious one, what stood out to me the most from today’s reading is the final two verses. Numbers 33:55-56:
55 But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live. 56 And I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”
God is warning the Israelites that if they do not do what they are told, to totally set themselves apart the influences of the surrounding culture will contaminate them. The Canaanites will be like splinters and thorns. Irritants that will prevent you from ever feeling comfortable and settled. They will cause peace to elude you.
I wonder if maybe we need to hear this today. Jesus called us to be in the world, but not of the world1. How much influence do we allow the world to have on us? We are called into the mission field of our nations, our cities, our neighbourhoods, our workplaces/schools, maybe even our homes. But in which direction is the influence flowing?
It may not seem like it, but this is a life-or-death question. Because if we do not set ourselves apart for God, but rather allow the influences of this world to rule us, change us, and conform us… then the judgement of God out of which we were asked to lead others will be visited upon us. When our hearts grow cold and far from God, He will have no choice but to turn us over to the fate we have chosen through our rejection of Him.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I’m a bit of a special case. I have two favourite seasons. Christmas and Baseball. And with Christmas now behind us, and pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in just over a month, the anticipation of opening day has begun to ramp up.
There are two kinds of baseball fans. Stats guys, and story guy. When I’m playing as the General Manager of my team in Franchise mode on my PlayStation I am 100% a stats guy. Mike Trout had a down year? Trade him while his value is high! Ruthless. BUT, as a fan of the game at home my favourite stories are Raul Mondesi throwing out a runner at home on a would-be sac fly to the warning track in centre field. Or Utility Fielder Ryan Goins pitching to a 0.00 ERA in the 18th inning against the Cleveland Indians on Canada Day 2016. With your kind permission I would like to share a baseball story with you.
This is a story about a man, who really was too old to be pursuing a baseball dream. At almost 31 years old he managed to secure a contract and was assigned to the minor leagues for development. This young man worked hard trying to live out the unmet baseball dreams of his father, his recently deceased father.
He worked tirelessly with the hitting coaches. He worked tirelessly with the fielding coaches. He worked through the winter offseason… he was relentless. This was something he could do. He knew it in his bones. He would conquer this mountain. The odds were against him at nearly 31 years old, but he was determined.
He learned how to properly grip a baseball. He learned optimal throwing mechanics. He learned safe and effective sliding techniques to go with his outstanding natural speed. He trained endlessly on footwork and body positioning. He was the hardest worker on or off the field. Maybe… just maybe he might pull of the improbable. Maybe he was going to make it to the big leagues, having never played a professional game before the age of 31. It would be a remarkable achievement!
But alas, it wasn’t to be. He only ever got as far as Double-A, with Triple-A still between him and the major leagues. He batted an embarrassing .202 with 114 strikeouts and 11 errors in the field. Despite the tremendous level of effort, the dedication, and the sheer drive to succeed… this would-be baseballer was a washout.
Then he won back-to-back-to-back world championships with the Chicago Bulls. That failed baseball prospect was Michael Jordan. And if you’re too young to know who that is, he was like Lebron James… just better.
We’re going to come back to this story about MJ, so for now will put it… [in the pocket].
BOOK
4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
LOOK
(Verse 1) Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Right out of the gate Paul says there are two ways we should think about ministers of the Gospel. 1) Servants of Christ. 2) Stewards of the mysteries of God. Let’s quickly take a look at both of those.
Servants of Christ. Sometimes the Greek word translated as “servants” means slave or bondservant or refers to indentured servitude. That is NOT the word being used here. This word is that is translated as ‘guard’, ‘minister’, ‘officer’. This is a commissioned position. A word that denotes service in an organized and coordinated movement. And while Paul believes — as he indicates later — that as ministers of the Gospel we are called to be servants of all, we are not commissioned INTO service by all, rather we are commissioned by Christ to serve His Bride. The fact that we are commissioned by Christ Himself will matter later, so let’s put that… [in the pocket].
Now, Stewards of the Mysteries of God. Firstly; what is a steward? When I hear the word steward I immediately assume we are discussing a male flight attendant. Now, no shade on our stewards and stewardesses, but Biblically a steward was a high-level servant. They managed entire estates. A prominent example of a steward in the Bible is Joseph. The slave boy who rose to become the steward of all of Egypt under Pharaoh himself. So, when you are called into service by the Lord. Don’t miss this, church. I did not say IFSOMEONE is called. No, no, no. I said WHENYOU are called. So then, when you are called by God to be a steward of the Gospel — even in some small, seemingly insignificant way — He is starting a process in you. And if you prove yourself faithful — which, SPOILER ALERT, is how God actually judges His servants despite what the Corinthians seem to believe — if you prove yourself faithful in the day of small things, the day of big things will come. Zechariah 4:10 says:
(Zechariah 4:10) Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin
So then, what are the mysteries of God that we are meant to steward? These mysteries are the fullness of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Paul refers to them as mysteries, because it is only the Grace of God that can open our eyes to truly see them. Because of the veil of sin over our eyes we cannot begin to understand the fullness of the Gospel until we ask God to reveal it to us. This is why the words of the preacher have no impact until God opens the hearts, minds, and ears of the hearers. I speak as clearly as I am able, so does Pastor Joel, but it is only the work of the Holy Spirit that allows us to have an effect. And I know this from experience because the sermons about which I get the most positive feedback are the very ones where I pray to God right before I preach saying, “Lord, bless this mess for Your glory. Amen.”
Only through reliance on God can we achieve all that He has called us to.
(Verse 2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
This is interesting to me because the Corinthians wanted leaders who met or exceeded set standards of 1) WISDOM, 2) ELOQUENCE, and 3) IMPRESSIVE PERSONAL PRESENCE. In fact, Plutarch, a Greek historian and philosopher who lived during this period talked about the Stoic philosophers who had such a deep influence on the city of Corinth. Of the Stoics Plutarch said, “in their sect the wise man is termed not only prudent and just and brave, but also as orator, a poet, a general, a rich man, and a king.” High standards indeed!
Fortunately for me, however, this is not the bar set by Jesus. The bar set by Jesus is faithfulness. Why? Why is that it? Why is that all? For the same reason that my preaching doesn’t achieve anything unless God is speaking through me and HE has prepared the hearts and minds of the hearers.
When I was a young pastor working in preteen ministry (Grades 5–8), most of my volunteers were high school students. And I grew frustrated that my efforts to shepherd them seemed to be ineffective. “Why aren’t they getting it?” I asked myself over and over again. I asked God why I never seemed to make any headway. Eventually I took my concerns to an older, seasoned pastor who was only in my life for a short few months. When I asked him why I was failing he let out a small sigh and asked me a question. “Conrad, if every kid in your ministry was on fire for Jesus. If the Spirit was moving like nothing you’d ever seen, salvations by the dozens with students buried in the Word and overflowing with worship… would you take the credit for that?”
Slightly incredulous and not fully understanding where this was going I said, “Of course not! That is the work of the Lord.”
“Exactly,” he replied, letting that word hang in the air for a moment before he continued, “You wouldn’t take credit for the work God is doing when it appears to be going well. Why would you take credit for the word God is doing when it appears to be going poorly?”
The Lord had prepared my heart and mind to hear this perspective-shifting word and I sat there in stunned silence. I had been looking at this all wrong. After another pause he continued again, “God isn’t looking for results, He is looking for faithfulness.”
I have viewed ministry differently ever since. I seek to be filled by the Lord, and to pour that out before being filled again. I work diligently for Him, but I lay all my plans and desires at His feet to see if he will allow me to pick them up again, or if he has something new for me. And I have been improving at this practice — slowly, but steadily — for 20 years.
But Conrad, you tangential storyteller I hear you say, you never explained WHY the standard against which Jesus holds the minister of the Gospel is merely faithfulness. Paul explains this in his second letter to the Corinthians:
(2 Corinthians 12:9) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
It is through our weakness and inadequacy that HE shines most brightly. And friends, this is not only true for those of us for whom the Gospel is our livelihood! This is true for all who obey the Great Commission Pastor Joel spoke about last Sunday. GO! Into all the world and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Remember this Great Commission is the call for all believers.
(Verse 3–5) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Evidently the people of Corinth felt that the could determine who God was using more fully, more completely, more powerfully. There is only 2 problems with this. 1) Their criteria is totally wrong. 2) They are totally unqualified because their sin bias prevents them from being impartial. But other than being totally unqualified in two different ways, they’re doing a bang-up job.
But Paul points out that he doesn’t fear any “human court”, actually the phrase used is “human day”, calling back to the “Day” of the Lord from our last passage in Corinthians. Why not fear any human day of judgement? Because all they can do is kill your body. You will still stand in judgement before the one who can cast you out out into the lake of fire for eternity, and he’s got receipts… but we’ll come back to that in a second, so for now that goes… [in the pocket].
There are 4 things I would like us to draw from these verses before we move on.
Thing 1) Accountability.
This one may be a little controversial, so stick with me here. We’re going to pull [Commissioned By Christ] back out of our pockets and talk about it briefly. Because I think this is important. If a General in the military commissions a Major to oversee a group of Sergeants, to whom is the Major accountable? Those he oversees, or the one who commissioned him?
It is the same in the church. I need you to stay with me here, because a lot of churches have what we call a “Presbytery” model. This is a model where the congregation votes for everything. This creates problems because if the pastor feels that God is calling him to take the church somewhere that the people don’t like, they can essentially fire him. This more-or-less turns the church into a publicly traded company where the tithers are shareholders. We don’t do this in Calvary Chapel. The pastor has full discretion on where the church will go. Isn’t this dangerous? Well, it’s a double-edged sword. If the pastor is pursuing God and striving to be faithful, then this really isn’t a big deal. If the pastor is corrupt then… yeah… he’ll have enough rope to hang himself and destroy the church.
But just because the pastor has full discretion doesn’t mean he is flying solo. A good pastor will surround himself with people that he trusts, who fear the Lord and want to walk in His will. Because Proverbs 15:22 says there is wisdom in the counsel of many. And that is a protection for the pastor even against himself. We can see how Pastor Joel, for example, has done that. Already having 3 elders and looking to add 2 more as the church grows. He will often bring ideas to the Executive team and ask for our thoughts. And I know he takes your thoughts and feedback to heart, because he has also brought those things to the Executive and — I’m sure — the Elders.
That to say that even though the ones commissioned BY God is accountable only TO God, they are fools to ignore the counsel and requests of those whom they are stewarding. See 1 Kings 11–12 for a pointed example of this in the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
Thing 2) Judgement by Others
Paul essentially says you shouldn’t judge anyone, even yourself! So I guess we just let it all slide, right? I mean God will sort it out in the end. To this I would give two quick responses.
Firstly, Paul is talking about judging one leader as more effective or more called of God than another. And yeah… don’t do that. It’s useless and dumb.
Secondly, judgment is different from discernment. If you feel a leader is preaching another gospel and building on a different foundation, then go and tell them. And if they refuse to listen, you are free to withdraw and join a church that is preaching the full counsel of God and teaching the mysteries of the fullness of the Gospel.
Thing 3) Judgement by God
Paul goes so far as to say that he doesn’t see any defect in his work, but that — as I said last week — only God can judge me. But there is a difference between A) recognizing that we will stand in account before a holy God at the end of this life and B) using His throne of judgement as some kind of a trump card to sidestep criticism. Those who seek to use God’s judgement as a shield to reproof are fools. This move is the domain of the self-satisfied. And self-satisfaction is an impotent judge.
See, here’s the rub; when we seek to judge, the standard for others is the result… but the standard for ourselves is intent. But God’s judgement revels the hidden and shines light on the darkness. God’s judgement is total. Just a minute ago we put God’s receipts in our pocket. See, because His judgement takes account of ALL the evidence. God’s judgement looks at the real, deep-seated motives that sometimes we don’t dare admit lay dormant within us.
Standing before the judgement throne of the righteous creator the universe will be an awesome and terrifying and HUMBLING ordeal. It is there that we will finally come to understand just how entrenched sin is in our flesh. Just how much Jesus really rescued us from. That day will play out as one of sorrow and regret or sorrow and relief… depending on where you stand with Jesus.
Thing 4) Glory
Attempting to judge which leader is truly being used of God is to take God’s glory, but we’ll talk more about that in a minute so for now that goes… [in the pocket].
But Paul says here that our praise will come from God. Does this mean that we will get some kind of glory? Yes, actually! And what will our glory be? Our glory will be the things that withstood the fire of judgement on the day of the Lord. The things built of gold, silver, and precious stones. But the problem is that we often do not seek glory from God, because we suck at delayed gratification. I want the good feelings NOW, not later. Not in Heaven, but on earth! Jesus point this out:
(John 5:44) How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
See, Jesus’ primary goal was to preach the Gospel. To seek and save the lost. To bring freedom to the captives. To give life. And that is what he commissioned us to do. AAANNNDDD that will be our glory. As Paul writes:
(1 Thessalonians 2:19–20) 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Our glory is those with whom we share the Gospel.
(Verse 6) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
Any good leader seeks to lead by example. Paul will tell the Corinthians this exact thing later in this very letter. In chapter 11 he says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. So then he is applying all of these teachings going as far back as chapter 1 and verse 12 to himself and to Apollos so that the Corinthians can see how they ought to apply it to themselves. Of course Paul doesn’t leave it to them to connect the dots, he does that for them in spectacular fashion in just a few verses, but this is the part where he really starts to winnow this down and focus in on sharp correction.
Now there is one phrase in here that has caused a fair amount of debate and led to some interesting interpretations. It is how Paul encourages the Corinthians ‘not to think beyond what is written’. Now, given Paul’s continual quoting of the Old Testament, I don’t really think the true meaning of this is all that tough to wrap your head around. In fact, if we read all these quotations back-to-back, it sounds like a single flow of thought.
For the note-takers, those references are (get your pen ready): * Isaish 29:4 (1 Corinthians 1:19) * Jeremiah 9:22–23 (1 Corinthians 1:31) * Isaish 64:4 (1 Corinthians 2:9) * Job 5:13 (1 Corinthians 3:19) * Psalm 94:11 (1 Corinthians 3:20)
(Isaiah 29:4)You shall be brought down, You shall speak out of the ground; Your speech shall be low, out of the dust; Your voice shall be like a medium’s, out of the ground; And your speech shall whisper out of the dust. (Jeremiah 9:22–23) Speak, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field, Like cuttings after the harvester, And no one shall gather them.’ ” Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; (Isaiah 64:4) For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. (Job 5:13) He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them. (Psalm 94:11) The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.
God sees through me! God sees through you! God sees through all of us! All our ideas and might and strength and wisdom are nothing, they leave us dead in the dust, killed by our own futile craftiness.
See, when we add our wisdom to God’s wisdom we don’t get some kind of super wisdom, we get a weak, incompetent and incomplete god who shares the throne… and that god is US! See our attempts to fuse the wisdom of God with the wisdom of man accomplishes two things.
ONE. It puffs us up with pride because we feel like we did something. We did not.
TWO. Back [out of the pocket]: It robs God of his glory. Because He did do it, we did.
Theologian Peter Marshall rightly notes that “[Pride] results from a failure of self-knowledge”. When we don’t know who we are, we try to step into someone else’s shoes. And that’s what Paul is trying to correct as he essentially tells the Corinthians that they’ve gotten too big for their britches. Because of the many layers of society at that time, the people understood that it was inappropriate to boast beyond your status, which is why Paul accuses them of being puffed up and highlights the scripture he has already referenced. He is telling them that adding to the wisdom of God is the height of hubris.
In Revelation God says he is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. For those curious Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This is like God saying He is A and Z, not A and Q, then you take the ball and run with it. So please, by all means, study the Scriptures. Mine them. Plumb their depths. Employ logic and reason to make connections and bring about deeper understanding. But as soon as you add something, you are preaching another gospel.
The Gospel is only what Jesus taught and nothing more.
(Verse 7) For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Paul hits 3 rapid-fire questions: Who? What? And Why?
1) WHO Who makes you differ from another? There are two possible interpretations of this, positive and negative. The positive interpretation has Paul asking the question, “Who made you what you are?” And the negative interpretation is that Paul is saying, “Who do you think you are, anyway?”. Which is correct? Either OR even BOTH are possible, but I think the positive interpretation is to be preferred. Why? Because I think Paul wants to exhort these people, not belittle them. He wants to lead them into all they can be.
If you waste your time trying to be something that you are NOT, you can’t spend time developing into who God has called you to be.
2) WHAT
What do you have that you did not receive? Because every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Heavenly lights. As Paul said earlier, in verse 10 of this very chapter, what Paul received, he received as a gift of grace from God. And each of us who has received the truth of the Gospel has received it as a gift of grace, because God had to open our eyes to see it, our ears to hear it, and our minds to understand it. That’s WHY it seems to be foolishness to those who are perishing!
3) WHY
Why do you boast as if you had not received it? Once we correctly recognize all that we have is a gift from God we will realize that we cannot boast in our achievements. Because we cannot claim a gift as an achievement. If someone gives you a car, you don’t point at it and say, “Look what I did!”. Gifts bring forth gratitude… we only brag about accomplishment. Gifts elicit humility and thankfulness rather than pride and division.
It is God alone who empowers us by His grace.
(Verse 8) You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!
That should have come with a Surgeon General’s warning! This is a taste of spicy, sarcastic, upward inflection Paul! Paul uses this cutting rhetoric to take the Corinthians on a journey of self-discovery. He sort-of turns their thinking up to 11 and takes it to its absurd — but undeniable — conclusion. As we allow ourselves to be conformed to the thoughts and ways of the world, we will either release Christ, or seek to bring Him with us. Instead of allowing the wisdom of the Gospel to lead them into the fullness of their call, they saw the wisdom of the Gospel as better means of attaining the philosophical ideals of the WORLD! Paul underscores that what they are saying is that they know better than God. And boy, unless you’re the king, you’d better not sit on His throne.
It is God alone who empowers us by His grace. And we NEED to recognize that.
(Verse 9) For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
The Corinthians wanted a stately, kingly type to lead them with grace and power, directing them with a golden tongue. What God sent them was quite the opposite. Here Paul evokes images of Gladiatorial combat wherein the worst offenders are brought before a raucous and bloodthirsty crowd in the main event to fight wave after wave of expertly trained gladiator until there is no fight in them and then they will be summarily executed before the screaming throngs.
The implication here is that even the least of the Corinthians are kings seated above the men and angels who sit, watching with bated breath as the Apostles battle for their very survival, ready to leap up and cheer when the moment, the blade, the death blow strikes.
Heavy stuff. But Paul doesn’t stop there… because we need to know who we are NOT.
(Verses 10–13) We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Paul needed this to hit different, Paul needed to paint a picture in the minds of the Corinthian church. This is the reality of the world, this is the call of Jesus. He told us that they — the world — will hate us. They will shed no tears when we die, and in fact they may cheer. That was the way of Jesus. To be murdered while the salivating crowds applauded. But even as He was dying, He found someone to share the Gospel with.
I was talking some time ago with one of our Elders about the Armor of God from Ephesians 6. And he told me that at the end of the day he evaluates each piece. Did I need my helmet of salvation today? Did I need my Breastplate of Righteousness? My Belt of Truth? Shoes of Readiness? Shield of Faith? Because if you didn’t… what are you doing? Why isn’t the enemy attacking you? I think maybe Satan has a non-aggression pact with non-combatants.
Maybe for some of you that hit hard. I know it hit me hard.
Friends, this is not just the call for Apostles, or Pastors, or Preachers. This is the call for every person who can been commissioned, enlisted by Lord. Which, if you call yourself a Christian, is you. As we talked about earlier, the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 is clear. Go. Make disciples. Be willing to go where Jesus leads and let the chips fall where they may.
Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate, was willing to DIE for us. Are we willing to be weak? Dishonoured? To Hunger? Thirst? To be beaten? Homeless? To bless those who revile us? To endure persecution? To answer slander with kindness? To meet the same earthly fate as our Saviour?
That probably won’t be your fate… but it might. Only the Lord knows His plan for you. But the fact remains that we will never know or experience the fullness of God’s plan until we let go of what wewant, and allow Him to truly shape us into the hope-bringers that he called us to be.
TOOK
Let’s pull Michael Jordan back [out of the pocket]. An exceptional talent. A once-in-a-lifetime talent. His achievements in the sport of basketball are too numerous to mention, just go check out his Wikipedia page. Yet despite all that, his baseball career, was by any measure a disappointment. Because he was focusing his efforts and gifts somewhere that wasn’t where he was supposed to be.
How much time are we wasting by trying to merge God into our existing lives? How much more would we have to present our Heavenly Father if we really tried to get out of the way and let Him move freely in our thoughts and deeds? How powerful would our witness be if the non-Christian saw that we were willing to SUFFER to bring them the truth of the Gospel?
If you would like to rededicate your life to the service of Jesus this morning, please stand up. In full view of everyone in the room. Let’s embrace accountability this morning. Know today that you are not your own, but that you are a vessel for God’s work. He has commissioned you to be a Gospel-bringer, the Gospel of Jesus. That is the hope of the world and our glory to present to God on the day of judgement. And if you feel unqualified or under-qualified use that as an opportunity to rely on God who alone empowers us. And if you are not a Christian here today, join us in accepting Jesus as your Saviour and dedicating your life to Him as well before we step into communion.
Let’s pray together and then I will turn this over to Pastor Joel.
Jesus you are God and I am not. Jesus you suffered and died on a cross to save me. I recognize that you alone are God and I want you to be Lord of my life. I want you to be Lord of every part of my life. Please submit my will to yours. Please have your way in my life. Please help me to maintain perspective on who I am. Let me be a blessing to your name. Let me bring glory to you as an offering. Consecrate my life to You, Jesus. Amen.
This sermon was originally preached at Mountain Springs Calvary Chapel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on January 7th, 2024.