Sermon Summary

In 1 Corinthians 4:6-13, Paul addresses the disunity and internal strife within the Corinthian church, emphasizing the need for humility and unity to make the church effective again. The church had become ineffective due to arrogance and pride, which led to internal conflicts and a deviation from their mission to worship Jesus and win the lost. Paul uses himself and Apollos as examples to highlight the sin of pride and calls the church to humility, reminding them that everything they have is received from God. He employs sarcasm to show the absurdity of their arrogance and stresses that true ministry effectiveness comes from humility and unity.

Paul’s message is clear: arrogance kills ministry, and humility is essential for church revitalization. He describes how the apostles, despite being reviled and treated poorly, respond with blessing, endurance, and grace. This humility and weakness are what make the apostles a spectacle to the world, drawing attention to the transformative power of Christ. Paul urges the church to keep the main thing—the gospel of Jesus Christ—the main thing, and to display humility, love, and graciousness in their interactions both within the church and with the outside world.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your word. We thank You for the message of humility and unity that Paul shared with the Corinthian church. Lord, we ask that You help us to set aside our pride and arrogance, and to embrace humility in our lives. May we be open to what You want to teach us today and be willing to apply it in our interactions with one another. Guide our discussion and help us to grow closer to You and to each other. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one thing you enjoy doing in your free time that helps you relax and unwind?

Key Verses

1. 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV) – “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 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?”
2. Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV) – “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
3. James 4:6 (NIV) – “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
4. 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV) – “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
5. Romans 12:3 (NIV) – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Questions

1. What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon?
2. How do you think pride and arrogance can affect a church’s unity and effectiveness?
3. Can you share a time when humility helped resolve a conflict in your life?
4. Why do you think Paul used sarcasm to address the Corinthians’ arrogance?
5. How can we, as a church, ensure that we keep the main thing—the gospel of Jesus Christ—the main thing?
6. What are some practical ways we can display humility in our daily interactions with others?
7. How can we respond with grace and blessing when we are reviled or persecuted?
8. What steps can we take to foster a culture of humility and unity within our church community?

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to practice humility in a specific area of your life. Whether it’s at work, at home, or within the church, look for opportunities to put others first and to serve without seeking recognition. Reflect on how this act of humility impacts your relationships and your own spiritual growth.

Key Takeaways

1. Arrogance Kills Ministry: Arrogance and pride can destroy a church’s unity and effectiveness. Paul emphasizes that humility is essential for revitalizing a church and keeping it focused on its mission to worship Jesus and win the lost.
2. Humility Reflects Christ: True humility involves emptying ourselves and becoming servants, just as Jesus did. This kind of humility is what sets us apart from the world and draws others to Christ.
3. Weakness as a Spectacle: Our humility and weakness are meant to be on display to the world. When we respond to revilement and persecution with grace and blessing, it makes the world take notice and see the transformative power of Christ.
4. Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: The main focus of the church should always be the gospel of Jesus Christ. Internal conflicts and distractions can derail this mission, so it’s crucial to stay centered on the message of salvation and grace.
5. Gracious Endurance: In the face of persecution and slander, we are called to respond with gracious endurance and blessing. This not only strengthens our witness but also aligns us with the example set by the apostles and Jesus Himself.

Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the powerful message of humility and unity that we have discussed today. Help us to apply these lessons in our lives and in our church community. May we always keep the main thing—the gospel of Jesus Christ—the main thing. Grant us the grace to respond with humility, love, and graciousness in all our interactions. As we go forth this week, empower us to be a ligh