August 8

The Radical Call to Servant Leadership: When Power Looks Like Weakness

1 Corinthians 4:1–21

In a world obsessed with power, platform, and popularity, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4 come like a wrecking ball to our pride. While today’s culture trains us to chase recognition and build personal brands, the apostle gives us something completely different: the call to be servants.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1). That’s it. Not spiritual celebrities. Not influencers. Not CEOs of empires with our name stamped on every program. Servants. Stewards. Two roles that demand faithfulness to Someone greater and focus on responsibility, not recognition.

And that’s not just a nice idea—it’s the biblical model for every believer, especially those who lead. “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (verse 2). Faithful to God’s Word. Faithful in character. Faithful when no one sees. You don’t need to be liked to be faithful. You don’t need to be famous to be obedient.

Paul wasn’t swayed by public opinion. He said, “With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself… It is the Lord who judges me” (verses 3–4). That’s not arrogance. That’s freedom. When your conscience is clear and your focus is on pleasing God, you stop chasing applause and start walking in integrity. Paul reminds us not to jump ahead and judge before the time, “before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart” (verse 5). He sees everything. And He will reward everything done in secret.

But the Corinthian church, like many churches today, fell into the pride trap. They were puffed up, choosing favorites, boasting in men. Paul cuts that down hard: “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (verse 7). Everything you have is a gift. Every breath. Every opportunity. Every ministry success. You didn’t earn it. You received it. So stop acting like you built it yourself.

Paul then flips the whole idea of success on its head. The Corinthians acted like they had it all—“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings!” (verse 8). But Paul exposes the real picture of gospel ministry. “We are fools for Christ’s sake… we hunger and thirst… we are poorly dressed and homeless… we labor, working with our own hands… we are reviled… persecuted… slandered… we have become the scum of the world, the refuse of all things” (verses 10–13). That’s what faithfulness looked like in his life.

This isn’t about glamorizing suffering. It’s about redefining greatness. When Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43), He meant it. The kingdom of God does not operate like the kingdoms of this world. True spiritual power is not about stage lights and applause—it’s about endurance, humility, and obedience. It looks like weakness to the world, but it’s power in the eyes of heaven.

Paul wrote these things not to shame, but to warn. “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children” (verse 14). That’s the heart of a true spiritual father—one who speaks the hard truth because he loves you. He wasn’t showing off. He was showing the way. “Be imitators of me” (verse 16), not because Paul was perfect, but because his life reflected Christ.

He sent Timothy to remind them, “of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church” (verse 17). Not just sermons. Ways. Lifestyle. Walk. His life matched his words. That’s rare in today’s religious landscape, but it’s exactly what Scripture requires.

Paul ends with a challenge: “Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come… and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” (verses 18–20). Talk is cheap. Anyone can sound spiritual. But real fruit, real authority, real power only comes through the Spirit of God working through surrendered lives.

So here’s the question: Are you building a kingdom for yourself or are you serving in the kingdom of God? Are you seeking honor now, or are you living to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)? The world will keep telling you to promote yourself, protect your image, and climb higher. But the cross tells you to die to all of that.

If you want to lead, serve. If you want to be great, humble yourself. If you want to follow Jesus, prepare to be misunderstood, rejected, and maybe even despised. But in the end, the only judgment that matters will come from the One who sees the heart.

“The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”

And that power looks nothing like the world expects.

Ezra 7:1-8:20
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 20:28-30

Today’s Scripture – Read

Listen to Today’s Scripture

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Summary: The Ministry of Apostles

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:5

who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness; meaning not so much vices, immoralities, wickedness of all sorts committed in the dark, and which it is a shame to speak of; but those hidden things of dishonesty, those secret arts and private methods which false teachers have made use of to conceal themselves, and carry on their base designs to the injury of truth, the souls of men, and the cause of Christ: ~ John Gill

Today we’ll see that life is a stewardship, so be faithful. We judge ourselves, and others judge us. But the final judge is the Lord. So live to please Him alone. We’ll see that life is a gift, so be humble.

Your abilities and blessings came from God. You cannot take credit for them. They are God’s gift to you, and your use of them is your gift to God. It is sinful to contrast various Christian workers because only God knows their hearts. We’ll also learn that life is a battle, so be courageous.

If the apostles were the greatest Christians who ever lived and they were filth and the scum of the earth, where did that leave the boasting Corinthians? And we’ll learn that life is also so a school, so be teachable. Paul saw himself as a father in the Lord who had to instruct and discipline his children. Our Father in Heaven uses many hands and voices to teach us. And we must be willing pupils as we go through life.