1 & 2 Corinthians| Lecture 6 : BC304-1&2 Cor-20260828

Good that you okay recording has started. Okay. So verse 18 let let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age let him become a fool that he may become wise. So he is talking about uh the previous section where he called the believers carnal fleshly. So that's what he's saying. Let no one deceive himself. So if anyone of you seems to be wise, so because they're connal, because they're worldly, they think their wisdom is some great wisdom. But what he's what Paul is saying is if anyone thinks that they are wise according to the world's standards, they are actually a fool. They are He's saying to let go of worldly wisdom. Get the wisdom of God. That is actual true wisdom. Right? In order to gain true wisdom, we need to get wisdom from heaven, not wisdom from the world. And so he already told that they are fleshly, they worldly. So they think that their wisdom is some great wisdom. Uh I'm you know and then they made groups. There's divisions and so what they thinking they are thinking is right. what they're thinking. They are thinking they're wise. But Paul is saying, "No, your wisdom, your worldly wisdom, your carnal wisdom, your fleshly wisdom is actually foolishness. If you want true wisdom, get it from God." Amen. Now, verse 21 and 20, verse 21 to 23, we'll close out chapter 3 and go to chapter 4. Verse 21-23, it says, "Therefore, let no one boast in men." So he starts the verse in verse 21. Let no one boast in men. We don't put our identity, we don't get our identity from a man. We should and that's what they were doing. They were getting their identity from people, right? They making groups. So let no one boast in men. See this is very important because all of us are from different backgrounds, different churches, different organizations. uh you know like you'll have different church names ultimately don't put your identity in the church name put your identity in God don't put your identity in the preachers's name God will use them God will use the church name that's fine but ultimately get your identity from Christ get your identity from God so we do not boast in men um for all things are yours whether Paul or Apollos or Cphus or the world or life or death or things present or things to come. All are yours. What is he saying? Paul belongs to you. Apollos belongs to you. Don't divide us. We're all one. All ministers of God. We're all one. Body of Christ is one. Under Jesus. There is one church. When Jesus looks at his people, he does not say, "Oh, Bangalore, Bangalore church, Mysore church, India church." No, he doesn't say AG, IPC, Pentecostal, APC. No, he looks at only his people. We do that so that you know practically we can, you know, do church, right? In a local setting, right? But um what is he trying to say? Paul, Apollos, we all belong to you. All ministers of God belong to each other. Amen. Don't divide within. And then he says um all are yours. Verse 23. And you are Christ and Christ is God's. Ultimately everything belongs to him. Okay. So chapter 3 over right. So what's the summary of chapter 3? He first starts with division. That division he calls it fleshly carnal. Right? And then he says min ministers god's ministers are co-workers right we are co-workers and then uh we need to build our life we are god's field we're god's building but with the right materials how we build it matters because there is coming a judgment day where we will be judged by fire. God's judgment is like fire and our work needs to testify of that fire. Right? Everyone will go through this. Right? And then the local church is the temple of God. Do not defile. And then he ends with our identity comes from God and God alone. Do not put your boast in man. Okay. So chapter three. Are we okay? Yeah. We'll go to chapter 4. Everyone okay? Shall we go to chapter 4? Let's go to chapter 4. So chapter 4 again has four sections. We'll try and complete it. Um, okay. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. So, chapter 4 is all about Christian ministry. How to do ministry well, how to be a good minister. Okay, there are some marks. How to be a good leader, how to be a good apostle, how to be a a good minister of God. Okay, so we will start chapter 4 with verse 1 and two. 1 and two. There may be someone online you want to read that 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1 to2 anyone wants >> let a man >> okay >> go for it >> let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the min mysteries of God moreover it is required in two words that one be found faithful Yeah. So 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, it talks about what is a minister of God or who is a minister of God. And he uses two words to describe a minister of God. So if anyone wants to enter ministry, these are two words that define you. We are all this. You know what are the two words? Servant and steward. Verse one, let a man consider us as servants of Christ. When you serve God, you are a servant of Christ willingly. You are by choice. You are put your faith in Jesus and you become a servant of Christ. What does a servant do? Serve. That's all it means. You are serving Christ. You are a servant of Christ. Second word, and stewards of the mysteries of God. So this is the role of a church leader, of a pastor, of a shepherd that you are a steward of the mysteries of God. Meaning in your hand, one of your roles as a church leader, as a shepherd who is, you know, say leading a congregation or a fellowship is you are a steward of God's mysteries. That is like so incredible to unpack. Think about this that in your hands, in your words, using your mouth, people are receiving the mysteries of God. Through whom? Through you. What an incredible opportunity that the world gets to hear that God's people gets to hear the mysteries of heaven, the secrets of heaven through us. And so we need to take ministry very very very very very very seriously. We need to study the scriptures. We need to understand the context. We need to go deep into the root meaning understand the the uh the nuances. Understand what is happening in every word. Why? Because as you understand, when you communicate, you are revealing the mysteries of God's kingdom. Incredible. So every time you share God's word, this is something to keep in mind. Do your best to prepare. Do your best to understand because when you share, people are receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. So take it very very very seriously and you are a steward. What is a steward? A steward is someone who manages you're managing God's word managing the mysteries of the kingdom. But what is the sad reality is there have been people in the past and even now where they have been led astray and they are leading many people to wrong doctrine and that's what Jesus said will happen in the last days. In the last days, there will be people who preach wrong doctrine, who preach the false Christ, leading people to all kind of opinions. But a true minister is a steward of God's mysteries, God's doctrine. We hold this, we have to hold this very dearly. Who will preach the mysteries of the of God's kingdom? We we are the ones. And so we need to and and we're so glad that all of us are studying the scriptures and that's why Bible college is important so that we understand so that we can better equip ourselves to understand to communicate. Yeah. So two words what is it servant of Christ steward of God's mysteries right and then he says what does the steward need to be? God is only looking for one quality. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. Faithful simply means to to be sincere and to be trustworthy. To be sincere. Okay, say this with me. Sincere. >> Sincere. >> Trustworthy. >> Sincere simply means honest. Genuine. You're honest. You're genuine. You're pure in your motive. Trustworthy simply means dependable. Meaning when God gives you his word to communicate, you are a good steward of it. You are faithful. You can do it well. He will trust you with it. Are we understanding? So this is a very very important role. If you are entering ministry, you're a servant of Christ. You will serve him to the end of your life. You will give your all to him. And you are a steward of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Amen. Very. It's amazing, right? Like God that God would choose us, whoever preaches, teaches God's word to to reveal, to unveil people's eyes, to unveil people's ears to the mysteries of God. It's just I find it very incred. I don't know about you, but this is just amazing that God would trust people, imperfect human people, with his perfect word, perfect doctrine. So, but he's saying that all of us as stewards should be found faithful. We should do a good job of it. Amen. Right? That's why Matthew chapter uh I think it's Matthew chapter I'm not able to remember Matthew where is I think it's chapter 24:25 parable of the talents I think it's chapter 25 Matthew chapter 25 where Jesus says to those who multiplied the talent good and faithful servant servant right they did a good job Amen. Yeah. So the first two verses are about who is a minister of God and what is God looking for? You're a servant of Christ steward found faithful. Three things. Amen. Let's go to the next section. Yeah. Verse 3-6. Maybe someone in person can read verse 3-6. 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 3-6. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human count. Quote sir in a fact I do not I do not even judge myself for I knew of nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this. But he who judge me is the Lord. Therefore, judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes who will both brings to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counselors of the hearts. Then each one's praises will comes from Lord. Verse six. >> Now therefore, now these things, brethren, I have be transferred to myself and Apollo for your six that you may learn in us not to think. be profane upon the behalf of one against the others. >> Yeah. Okay. So, 1 Corinthians 4:3-6, it's talking about how we judge and honor servants of God, ministers of God. Okay. Very, very important. See, all of us encounter pastors, ministers, right? This passage is talking about how what is our posture towards them towards leaders towards pastors towards ministers. Okay. So verse 3 to 5 he's saying leave the judgment to God. Okay. You don't judge but we like to judge. We living we living in a world that likes to judge. We like to comment. We like to put our own opinion. Right? So verse 3 to 5. So first of all, Paul is saying in verse three, he says um sorry uh verse three, but with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you. So he's saying I don't care what you think about me. He does not allow human opinion, human judgment to affect him. That's what he's trying to say. I verse three. To me it is very it's a very small thing. I don't consider it anything that uh I should be judged by you or any human court meaning any human opinion. In fact I do not even judge myself. But then he says something very interesting verse four I know of nothing against myself. Meaning even when he judges himself when he looks at his own heart he has a pure heart. That's what he says in verse four. For I know of nothing against myself. I have nothing against myself. So it is important to keep a check on your conscience. Conscience. You judge your own heart. And then he says continuing yet I am not justified by this. Meaning even his own conscience he doesn't allow his own conscience to judge himself put judgment upon himself. Then he continues, "But he who judges me is the Lord. My life, my mind, my thoughts, my motives, I will only allow God to judge me. I will only allow God to tell me what is wrong with me, what I need to correct." Yes, I do think about myself. I think yes okay where are the areas that I need to change correct myself but ultimately who's the ultimate judge or so if you want to change something if you think something is wrong with your you know maybe your speech your character your thoughts your motives first who do you have to go to God yeah you can think it in your in your mind and in your heart because you know yourself and if you find something who's the first person we should go to. Don't tell your neighbor. Tell God first. Holy Spirit, this is in my heart. This is in my mind. This is in my thoughts. Let him be the judge. And so this is very important because then he continues verse 5, therefore judge nothing before the time. Meaning don't put unnecessary judgment on people. What's the context? They are putting judgment. I'm of Paul. I'm of Apollos. They're judging Paul and Apollos. Hi. How? Because of their preaching. Because of their gift. And he's saying do not judge anything before its time. Meaning there is a time for that. God will judge. Now this does not mean we don't use our mind. Okay? That's not what it means. We should use our mind. We should observe. We should learn from people. But don't put judgment upon them. Don't say things like ah he's a gone case. He is he is like this. You're putting a judgment upon them. Right? Very hard in the world we living. Why? Everyone likes to judge. Why? You know, right? Like anytime you see a movie, what's the first thing in your mind? This movie was You like to judge. That's why we like to like mo we like to watch movies so that we can tell about the story plot the actor the acting then now we are living in a world of social media so everyone can see us everyone can see other people we want to comment oh look at them we are living in an environment in a culture that is hyper opinion opinion opinionated oh god that word was tongue twister Right? So therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the councils of the hearts. Meaning God will ultimately judge. So never ever say to someone God cannot do anything with your life. Who are we to say that? Never put judgment upon someone else. Are you understanding? Only God will decide that. That's why we should be very careful not to also judge about eternal things like salvation. Like we can ne we should never say oh just because someone passed away and and put judgment based on their life. Who are we? We are nobody. Our wisdom is foolishness. God is the judge. He's the judge of judges. Right? So be very careful about the words you speak, about how we look at ministers, how we look at ministries, how we look at churches, how we look at our brothers and sisters. Judge nothing until the day of our Lord's return. He will be the judge. Leave the judging to him. You can have your opinions. You can learn. You can observe. You can be encouraged. You can be like, "No, I don't like that behavior." All that is fine. But don't put don't put judgment. Judgment simply means your seal your you have put uh like you know you have sealed your opinion right? Amen. Are you understanding? Yeah. So verse 3 to 5 is all about leaving the judgment uh judging to God. And then verse six. Verse six. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes. Why is he writing all this? Because he wants to he wants to warn and encourage the Corinthian church. He's using himself and Apollos what is happening in the church as an example. That's why he writes figuratively. I'm using what he's saying is I'm using this whole example of envy, strife, jealousy, division to figuratively tell you not to take sides 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. Meaning he's saying I'm using myself and Apollos as examples to tell you not to take sides, not to be puffed up, meaning filled with pride. I belong to this, I belong to that. No, don't say that. And he's using both him and Apollos as examples. Are you understanding? Yeah. See, in Paul's mind, him and Apollos are one. You ask Apollos, me and Paul are one. The church, the church is the problem. They are thinking differently. So he's using himself and Apollos as examples. Are we understanding? Yeah. To communicate a point. Don't take sides. So don't promote an individual. Don't put don't give glory to an individual. Right? Because what happens when you always promote someone an individual what what what happens logically think about it when you promote an what will happen other people will also see that then they will also want even I want to be part of that don't do that is what he's trying to say are we understanding so don't promote an individual don't promote a minister always look to Jesus he's the perfect Amen. All right, let's go to the third section. Verse 7-13. 7-13. Maybe someone online can read that for us. 7-13. Verse 7 to13. If anyone wants to. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. You have begun to reign. And that without us, how I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you. For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ but you are so wise in Christ. We are weak but you are strong. You are honored we are dishonored. To this very hour are we go hungry and thirsty. We are in rags. We are brutally treated. We are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we blessed. When we are persecuted, we endure it. When we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world right up to this moment. >> Yeah. Thank you. So 1 Corinthians 4:7-13 gives a picture of uh the life of an apostle. But before that he he in verse 7 and 8 before the he gives the mark of an apostle or the mark of a minister of God he gives uh he he tells something he asks a question three questions to the Corinthians. He says three questions. Who makes you? So verse seven and 8, who makes you who differ from another? First question. Second question, what do you have that you did not receive? Third question, if you received it, why boast as though you didn't? Okay, first question. So he's asking three sharp questions. Okay, because of their attitude, because of their their heart. Three questions. The first question, who makes you differ from another? Basically, what he's saying is what makes you better than someone else? What makes you better than someone else? Nothing. We are all one. We are not better than someone else. I'm not better than my neighbor. I'm not better than another group. Under Christ, whether Jew or Greek, we are one. Whether Jew or Gentile, we are one. So he's asking like rhetorical questions. Don't think like this is what he's saying. Second question, what do you have that you did not receive? Second, what does he mean by that question? He says, what do you have that God didn't give you? Everything belongs to God. So give him the glory, not in what you have. Are we understanding? So second question, right? Everything belongs to God. Give him the glory. Third question, if you received it, why boast as though you didn't? If God gave it to you, basically what he's saying is in this question, if God gave it to you, why are you acting like you did it yourself? Self glory. Third question. Are you understanding? If God gave it to you, why are you acting or putting boast in yourself? No, we don't boast in ourselves. We boast in Christ. Amen. Then he says verse 8 um verse sorry verse 8 to13 the cost of being a minister of God. the cost. So you see verse 9 to13 just see that he describes the the hardship. So this is the truth. Okay. Being in ministry is not a easy walking on clouds. No, it's hard. Very hard. It is it'll take a lot out of yourself. So he's he talks about several things. Um I was hungry. He talks about in this p in this passage. I was hungry. I had poor clothing. I had beatings. I was homeless. I worked very hard toil. I was insult I was insulted. I was persecuted. What is he trying to say? This is the cost of being a apostle. It comes with a cost. When you enter ministry, please understand there is a cost to pay. It's your own life. You have to give your entire life to it. Jesus has said said it this way. When you want to build a building, first consider how much is the cost. So before you build your life on Jesus, think about the cost. It'll cost you your time. It'll cost you your energy. It'll cost you your resources, your finances. Right? All of us have made a sacrifice to come here to learn. Right? And u it's going to cost you sometimes being insulted, sometimes being persecuted, right? So please understand that in ministry there is the other side of ministry. There is the blessing of ministry where you see the fruit. This is the other side the sacrifice the toil. So there are these two sides of ministry. The blessing God will release his blessing, his anointing, his grace, his gift. One side, this is the other side. Gives a very real picture. The cost, the hardship. Amen. So we have to understand that ministry is real sacrifice. Ministry is real sacrifice. We we must be willing to go through the trials, the challenges. Are we understanding? So he he kind of paints he gives a picture of his calling. You know sometimes when you read about Apostle Paul we we are very impressed. Oh he wrote twothirds of the New Testament. He is the great apostle Paul did went to uh so many uh went on missions to reach the utter parts of the world. Very impressed. But then there's also the real side of it. See what it took. It's hard work toil. There were times where he was hungry. He didn't even have proper clothes sometimes, right? He says, "I was beaten. I was sometimes homeless. I was doing hard work, hard labor, insulted and persecuted." Amen. So this is the other side, the real side of the cost of ministry. So when you are a minister of God, when you do God's work, please understand that it's going to require a sacrifice. It's going to require you to work very hard. Amen. Okay. Next section verse 14- 21. 1 Corinthians 4:14-21. Anyone want to read it? Yeah. I do not write these things to save you. But as my beloved children, I were you. 15 For though you might have 10,000 10,000 instruction in Christ, that you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you, immediate me. For this reason, I have sent >> Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ as I teach everyone everywhere in every churches. Now some are puffed up has though I were not coming to you but I will come to you shortly if the Lord's wills and I will know not the word word of those who are suffer but the power for the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Uh shall I come to you with a rod or in love and speed of gentleness. >> Okay. So this passage 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 14- 21 is talking about the heart of a spiritual mentor or the heart of a spiritual father. You know all of us when we grow in Christ, God will give us people that we will need to take care of or mentor or support. And this is the role of every believer. Okay? We're not supposed to remain babies supposed to mature. And as you mature, God will make you a leader. God will like make God will bring people for you to shepherd, for you to take care of, for you to have fellowship. So this passage is an amazing it gives an amazing picture of what of what true spiritual mentoring looks like. If you want to be a good mentor, if you want to be a good spiritual leader, this is a great passage. It gives a framework. Okay. So let's let's read let's understand this. So we want to see what are the the the insights. First he starts with, "I do not write these things to shame you." Okay, let's pause there. Has Paul written quite harshly? Yeah, he has. He has kind of told them the problems. He has he has kind of told them, "Hey, this is who you are. You're filled with this envy, strife." But why is he writing all this? Not to shame. Not to shame. because you are my beloved children. You see, this is the heart of an apostle. This is the heart of a pastor that when he preaches, when he speaks, even though it's tough to hear, [snorts] it's not to shame. You know, a good minister of God, a good mentor, when he speaks, it never brings shame to the person. Only the enemy brings shame. after the conversation, after reading or after listening to them, you should not leave the room filled with shame. You should leave the room filled with God, filled with wisdom, filled with life, filled with encouragement. That's a good spiritual leader. So he's telling, I'm writing all these things not to shame you, not to shame you, but as my beloved children to warn you that hey you are going in a wrong path. So I want to warn you. So which means in spiritual leadership you will have to say things. You'll have to do things to warn people. What is warning mean? What is warning? It's like a red light. You know when an engine in a car warning sign comes when something is wrong. And so sometimes a spiritual leader has to do that to flash the red light. Hello, you're going in the wrong direction. So you need to do that, right? And then he says, for though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ. Okay, second one. So what's the first one? What's the first insight for a spiritual mentor? The first one is that [snorts] uh I'm not here to shame you but to warn you. That's the first one. Second one, though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ, meaning a good spiritual mentor will allow people to receive from other people. Apollos, CFAs, other leaders. A good spiritual leader will not have control over people. Only listen to me. Only listen to my doctrine. What are we? We are good stewards of God's mysteries. Only listen to the mysteries that God is giving me. No, but God has put other ministers. They also have the ministry mysteries of God. And so a good spiritual mentor does not control people. He's saying although you have many instructors and he welcomes that he's not controlling them. Only listen to me. Don't listen to Apollos. don't listen to Cifas whatever right so every minister has an important role and a good spiritual mentor good spiritual leader understands that sometimes you have to listen to different people are you understanding yet you do not have many fathers why is he calling why is he calling himself as a father because for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you meaning you a birth into the kingdom of God through the gospel through me. Are we understanding? So that's why he's calling himself a spiritual father because they heard the gospel from Paul. And so he says, "I have begotten you. You have been birthed into the kingdom of heaven through the gospel that I preached. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me." Third one. Third trait of a spiritual mentor is they will encourage them to imitate, be an example. Third trait of a good spiritual mentor, good spiritual leader is they will encourage them to be a good example. Their own life is a great is is an example. And with that confidence is saying imitate me. So don't tell people to imitate you unless you become a mature believer, right? Unless God has given you that sense of maturity and growth, right? And this is not talking about age. God can use even a young person to be an example, right? That's why he writes to Timothy, don't let anyone look down upon you, but be an example in your speech, in your conduct, in your in your character, in your heart. Right? So, this is not talking about age. It's talking about spiritual maturity. And that spiritual maturity can come at any age. Are we understanding? Right? So, the third trait, therefore, I urge you imitate me. Be I'm an example. So, follow me. Follow my example. That's a good spiritual mentor. He will be an example to other people. And then he continues the for this reason I have sent Timothy to you. Fourth fourth trait a good mentor good spiritual leader will have other spiritual sons to carry the grace to carry the work. I have sent Timothy to you who is my beloved and faithful son. Beloved and faithful son in the Lord who will remind you of my ways in Christ. See Timothy carried the same similar grace of Paul. That's a good spiritual leader. When they invest in people, people will receive the grace that God has put upon their life. People will receive the anointing. This is why it's very important to listen, read books of people who are mature, people who God has used mightily so that you might receive. Timothy received that. What does he write about Timothy? That you you that I have sent Timothy to you who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord who will remind you of my ways in Christ as I teach everywhere and every church. So meaning Timothy has seen my life, seen my words, my conduct, my character. Now he is similarly carrying the similar grace, similar anointing, similar. It's not a copy. Timothy is not a copy of Paul. He's still unique, but he carries that anointing because Paul has invested his life. That's a good trait of a spiritual mentor where you invest your life and they carry that work, they carry that grace, they carry that anointing. Timothy was like that. That's the fourth trait. Are we understanding? Yes. So, a spiritual father or a mother raises most sons and daughters spir in the spiritual sense. And Timothy was that right? And then lastly, the last trait he says, how should I come to you? With a rod, with a gentle spirit, with love. Meaning a spiritual mentor should know when to show love, when to come with a rod. So when I was growing up, my mom, my mother used a nat 30 cm wooden ruler. That was the rod in my life. So I mean that's just a joke jokes aside but a good spiritual mentor a good spiritual leader will know when to speak in love when to show love when to correct when to come with a rod. That is the fifth trait. So many traits in this one passage. If you ever want to know how to be a good spiritual mentor, this is a great passage. 1 Corinthians chapter 4:14-21. What did we read first? What's the first thing? Anyone can say not to. Yes. Okay. Yes. Good. What's the second one? You can just read the passage and you can know. No control over people. Even though you have thou 10,000 instructors then imitate me be an example then four spiritual son Timothy you're investing your life number five come in love or rod right so sometimes as a shepherd as a spiritual mentor as a leader you should have you should you should know people should know oh he's come with the rod We should listen. Ah, he's come with love. There will be times in spiritual leadership and mentorship where people should recognize the voice of the shepherd like voice of the pastor. What? Oh, he's he's speaking in love. Oh, no, no, no. This is correction. We need to change, right? And that you need to develop. God will develop you. Are we understanding? Like I I'll give you an example. So God gave me an amazing opportunity to lead the youth ministry at APC for 4 years. And most of the times it was great encouragement. We have to encourage our team encourage but there were times when you had to be very very serious with the team things that were not good. So there was an example once in one season. So this is just a personal story but I hope this helps. There was one season where in our youth community people like the Corinthians but differently. They not with a person with their attributes people who spoke well who dressed well they were one group. People who were from another city like they were one group. There was one one full divide. So I had to call for a team meeting. I had to be very very serious. We don't want to see these two camps. Everyone is one. So as leaders we need to set the example. Are you understanding? So I had to be very serious. And that media is very serious. Had to be like this cannot happen. So in ministry when God has given you leadership, when God puts the anointing of a shepherd over you, when you lead a fellowship, yes, you speak in love. Jesus also spoke in love. But he also rebuked. He also corrected. So you need to know when to be loving, when to be firm like a rod. And pe people should recognize that authority that God has given them that that grace. Amen. Yeah. So 1 Corinthians chapter Oh, last verse. Sorry, we should close with the last verse. Verse 20. Verse 20. Verse 20. Verse 20 and 21. >> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or shall I come in love and with the gentle spirit? >> Yeah. So we we addressed the last verse but verse 20. See the kingdom of God is not just words. It should accompany power. Right? So think about this. When you prepare, when you prepare a sermon, when you preach, when God gives you an opportunity, pray that the power of God will be displayed through your preaching, through your teaching, that God's power will be displayed. They God's power will hit their heart and their mind. that the Holy Spirit through your words will carry the power of God to bring transformation to change people's lives. See if people leave your preaching or your teaching the same they say or they say ah I felt good. It's not good enough. They should say I was touched. I was transformed. They should think. It should lead them closer to Jesus. It should lead them closer to transformation. It should lead them to an encounter. So the kingdom of heaven is not just words. words are important but it should accompany God's power. Amen. And that was Paul's ministry where he said the power of God is displayed. Amen. Okay. So any questions so far? Chapter 3, chapter 4. I hope this was helpful. I hope you know you can go back home and uh read more read every verse and get more understanding but yeah lot of things right chapter 3 and fro every chapter is something and all is there deep lot of deposit of God's word are we okay yeah shall we close all right let's pray father we Thank you for this lecture. We thank you Lord for 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and 4. Lord, we just thank you for the many truths Lord from your word that we have heard today. And I just pray Lord that it'll fall on good ground. I pray Lord that your presence, your Holy Spirit Lord, the power of God will be made available to each one of us. I pray Lord that you will give us deeper understanding of your word, deeper insights. And I pray Lord that your presence will lead us into all truth. Bring us closer to Jesus. Build our lives on you. And I pray Lord that we will be one day tested by fire and we'll be counted faithful. I pray Lord that if each one of us needs to change certain things in our hearts Lord, Holy Spirit that you will convict, you will change, you will transform so that we might carry a pure heart. We thank you once again. You give we give you all the glory and all the praise in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen. Amen. >> Awesome. So, uh just one question. Is the pace okay? You're able to understand everything? Yeah. Not slow, not fast. Okay. Okay. God bless you. I will see you next week. Thank you, sir. Have a nice weekend. Thank you.