Embracing a Biblical Perspective of Spiritual Leaders

Embracing a Biblical Perspective of Spiritual Leaders I Corinthians 4:1-7 – Tom Madon – Living Word Fellowship Instead of giving their foremost allegiance to Jesus Christ, many in the church in Corinth were elevating their favorite teacher and leader beyond what God intended. Paul's corrective words provide Christians with a Biblical understanding of how to view spiritual leaders in the church. In our passage today, Paul highlights three crucial truths that apply to the church in all generations. 1. Paul corrects their flawed perspective on how to ______ Christian leaders (Verses 1-2). • Paul and his fellow leaders were to be viewed as ________ and ______________. o Their service was to Christ. o Their stewardship was of the mysteries of God. o The foremost calling of servants and stewards is faithfulness to Christ and His Word. 2. Paul corrects their mistaken perception of how to __________ spiritual leaders (verses 3-5). • The evaluation of others was of minimal importance to Paul. • His evaluation of himself was far from conclusive. • God's evaluation is the one that ultimately matters. 3. Paul corrects their inflated _______________ in failing to see God's goodness in everything they possessed (Verses 6-7). • Paul's illustration of himself and Apollos was for the church in Corinth; his words about Christian leadership apply to the church through the ages. • Paul asked three penetrating questions that have application for all believers.