Challenges of Leadership in the Corinthian Church

Paul’s enduring love and guidance for the Corinthian church highlight the struggle between leadership and division within the community.

### Paul's Struggle and Love for the Corinthian Church
Paul established the Corinthian church through his **struggles and suffering**, but it is now divided and facing **serious issues**. The conflict in the church is centered around Paul, who feels **burdened by the divisions**. Despite the challenges, Paul remains focused on the **Gospel** and continues to **love and admonish the Corinthians**, seeking to guide them with the **heart of Jesus**.

### The Role of Spiritual Leadership
Paul emphasizes the difference between teachers and fathers in the context of spiritual leadership, highlighting his **unique role in the Corinthian church**. He reflects on the challenges of building **personal relationships with congregation members** and the importance of **pastoral care**. The passage draws a parallel between Jesus as the **good shepherd** and spiritual leaders, emphasizing their role in **guiding and providing for their followers**.

### The Difference Between a Hired Hand and a Good Shepherd
The hired hand abandons the sheep in danger, showing **no true care for them**, while the good shepherd **sacrifices his life to protect the sheep**. The hired shepherd is primarily interested in their **salary** and does not have a **genuine concern for the sheep**. It is important for individuals, especially those in ministry, to be **committed to their roles** and to emulate the good shepherd's **selfless service**.

### Paul's Call to Imitate His Life in Christ
Paul challenges King Agrippa and Governor Festus to be like him, urging them to **believe in Jesus and avoid the emptiness of worldly power**. He sends Timothy, his spiritual son, to remind the believers of his **consistent teachings and example in Christ**. Paul's message emphasizes the importance of **imitating Jesus and those who follow Him**, highlighting that true discipleship comes from **living together and learning through example**.

### The Impact of Faith and Generational Differences in the Church
Believing in Jesus is seen as the **key to experiencing goodness and spreading the Gospel**, regardless of one's background. The older generation in the Korean church has dedicated themselves to serving, but the younger generation in their 40s and 50s is **less committed**. This generational difference in dedication and service is accepted as **normal** by the older generation, while the pastor feels a **heavy responsibility** for the lack of engagement from the younger members.

### Arrogance and the Power of Faith
The Lord has given us the opportunity to **serve the church and nurture the next generation of believers**. Paul addresses the arrogant leader causing division, highlighting that true arrogance is rooted in **disbelief and a lack of fear of God**. He emphasizes the importance of **demonstrating the power of faith through our actions** and living by that faith, rather than just **boasting about our gifts**.

### The Power of God's Kingdom
God's Kingdom is defined by **power and fruitfulness**, not just words. Our faith and how we live are crucial, as true faith is evidenced by a life that **bears fruit**. The Kingdom of God offers **salvation to those who believe and live by faith**, with Jesus Christ as the **foundation of our salvation and genuine faith**.

### Living a Life of Faith and Suffering for the Gospel
Paul's last letter emphasizes the importance of **not being ashamed of suffering for the Lord and His Gospel**. He encourages Timothy to live a valuable life, follow the Gospel, and **share in the suffering**. Jesus' call to **deny ourselves and take up our cross** is a central theme, urging us to live our faith as a **powerful testimony of the kingdom of God**.

### The Struggles and Responsibilities of Spiritual Leadership in the Corinthian Church
* 📖 The Corinthian church, established by Paul, reflects both his efforts and the struggles he faced, as indicated by his statement, "**I have begotten you through the gospel in Christ Jesus**," highlighting the **pains akin to childbirth**.
* 💔 Despite Paul's dedication, the church is now divided and facing serious issues, leading him to experience feelings of **self-loathing and disheartenment** regarding their condition.
* 🤝 Central to the conflict is the Apostle Paul himself, whose relationship with Apollos, a minister in the church, remains **respectful**, yet the factions supporting each leader create **further division among the believers**.
* 😢 Paul, currently in Ephesus and surrounded by afflictions, chooses to focus on the Gospel, which he defines as the **good news of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God**, while expressing his **enduring love for the Corinthian saints**.
* 📜 In 1 Corinthians 4:14, Paul clarifies his intentions, stating he writes **not to shame them but to remind them of his role as a father figure** in their spiritual journey, urging them to **reflect on their desires for leadership**.
* 👨 Paul contrasts the many teachers in the church with his unique role as a father, emphasizing the **importance of genuine pastoral care** over mere instruction.
* 🛡 He warns against arrogance among some church members, noting that true power lies not in words but in the lived experience of faith, as he emphasizes that "**the kingdom of God is not in words but in power**."
* 🙏 Ultimately, Paul encourages the believers to follow his example of living out the Gospel, calling them to **embrace a life of faith that reflects the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ**, urging them to **share in the responsibilities and joys of their faith**.

### The Challenges of the Corinthian Church
The Corinthian church, established by Paul, is struggling with **division and serious internal issues** despite his efforts and sacrifices. Paul's role as the true spiritual leader is complicated by the presence of factions supporting and opposing him, leading to **conflicts within the church**. Despite the challenges, Paul remains focused on the **Gospel** and continues to love and admonish the Corinthians, offering them guidance with a **heart of compassion**.

### The Role of Spiritual Leaders: Teachers vs. Fathers
Paul emphasizes the difference between teachers and fathers in the context of spiritual leadership, highlighting his own role as a **father to the Corinthian church through the gospel**. The speaker reflects on the challenges of building personal relationships with church members and the importance of **pastoral care in understanding and supporting them**. Jesus is portrayed as the **ultimate good shepherd**, contrasting His **selfless guidance** with that of a **hired hand**.

### The Difference Between a Hired Hand and a Good Shepherd
The hired hand abandons the sheep in times of danger, showing **no real care for them**. In contrast, the good shepherd is willing to **sacrifice his life to protect the sheep**, demonstrating **true commitment and selflessness**. This distinction highlights the importance of being **dedicated and serving faithfully**, whether in ministry, work, or any other role.

### Paul's Call to Imitate His Life in Christ
Paul challenges King Agrippa and Governor Festus, wishing they could be like him in **faith and belief in Jesus**. He sends Timothy, his spiritual son, to remind the believers of his **consistent teachings and way of life in Christ**. Paul's message emphasizes the importance of **imitating Jesus and those who follow Him**, offering a path to **discipleship and salvation from the struggles of the world**.

### The Impact of Faith and Generational Differences in the Church
Believing in Jesus is seen as the **key to experiencing goodness and evangelizing**, regardless of one's background or status. The older generation in the Korean church has dedicated themselves to **service and sacrifice**, but the younger generation is **less committed to living out their faith**. This generational gap has led to a **lack of questioning and support** from the older generation towards their children's engagement in the church.

### Arrogance and the Power of Faith
The Lord has called us to **serve the church and love one another**, with a focus on **nurturing the next generation of believers**. Paul addresses the issue of arrogance among some individuals, highlighting that true arrogance stems from **disbelief and a lack of fear of God**. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the **power of faith through one's actions and fruits**, rather than just words, and underscores that the essence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is **love and resembling the Lord**.

### The Power of God's Kingdom
God's kingdom is defined by **power and fruitfulness**, rather than words. Our faith and its practice are crucial, as they bear **evidence of our belief in Jesus Christ**. The kingdom of God offers **salvation to those who believe and live by faith**, with a clear judgment that ultimately aims to **save**.

### Living a Life of Faith and Suffering for the Gospel
Paul, in his last letter, encourages Timothy to **share in his suffering for the Gospel** and to live a life of **value without shame**. Jesus calls his disciples to **deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him**, emphasizing that faith is not just a confession but a **way of life**. The speaker urges others to **follow their example and live as witnesses of the Gospel**, sharing the **hope of the kingdom of God**.

### The Struggles and Responsibilities of Spiritual Leadership in the Corinthian Church
* 📖 The lecture today focuses on the challenges faced by the Corinthian church, which was established by Paul through his **gospel preaching and nurturing efforts**, as reflected in 1 Corinthians 4:15, where he describes his role as akin to that of a **father**.
* 💔 Despite his dedication and the hardships he endured to build the church, Paul is disheartened by the **current divisions and serious issues** within the Corinthian congregation.
* 👥 The conflict is exacerbated by the factions that have formed, with some supporting **Paul** and others favoring **Apollos**, yet both leaders maintain **mutual respect and trust**, which highlights the **discord among the church members**.
* 💬 Paul emphasizes that while he could approach them with authority or gentleness, his heart remains one of **love and concern**, as he seeks to guide them **like a father would his children**.
* 🗣 He reminds them that, although they have many teachers, he is their **true spiritual father** through the gospel, urging them to recognize the difference between a **teacher and a father figure** in their spiritual journey.
* 🙏 Paul expresses a deep desire for the members to **follow his example**, reflecting a life lived in **faith and commitment to Jesus**, as he sends Timothy to remind them of his **teachings and way of life**.
* 💪 He underscores that the kingdom of God is not about **eloquent words** but about the **power demonstrated through a life of faith**, which produces **genuine fruit** and reflects the essence of **true belief**.
* ✨ Ultimately, Paul calls on the church to **live out their faith actively**, embodying the gospel and **sharing the hope of Christ**, as they navigate the complexities of their spiritual lives together.

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2024.09.29. 주일예배 - “하나님 나라는"

2024.09.29. 주일예배 - “하나님 나라는"