Sermon Date: 11/02/2025

Bible Verses:

• 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-

Introduction: The Cross-Shaped Life

We live in a culture driven by appearance, platform, and performance.
Success is measured by likes, followers, resumes, and the ability to impress. Even within the church, there’s a subtle temptation to chase recognition, elevate certain leaders, and draw lines between “those who have it” and “those who don’t.”

Corinth was no different.

The church there had become entangled in spiritual pride—dividing over favorite preachers, boasting in their wisdom, and acting as though they had arrived. Some claimed superiority because of who baptized them. Others looked down on fellow believers who didn’t fit their mold of “spiritual success.” The result was a fractured, puffed-up church obsessed with human labels instead of godly humility.

So Paul writes not just to correct their view of leadership—but to reframe their understanding of the Christian life altogether.

In 1 Corinthians 4:6–13, Paul contrasts the self-exalting, worldly version of Christianity with the cross-shaped path of true discipleship. He exposes the difference between empty pride and humble faithfulness. He reminds them—and us—that to follow Christ means choosing the path of sacrifice, not applause.

This isn’t a call to be admired.
It’s a call to carry a cross.

Let’s walk through this together.

1. Don’t Go Beyond What Is Written (v. 6)

“…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.”

Paul begins his correction by calling the Corinthians back to Scripture.
They had started drawing their own lines, playing favorites, and making judgments based not on God’s truth—but on personal opinions, appearances, and pride.

Paul says, “Don’t go beyond what is written.”
In other words, don’t elevate manmade preferences over the Word of God.
Don’t make your favorite preacher the standard.
Don’t build your identity on your spiritual performance.
Don’t twist the gospel to support your ego.

God’s Word—not charisma, not giftedness, not influence—is the measuring line.

The Corinthians had gone beyond it.
They were using human wisdom to judge spiritual matters.
And it was puffing them up instead of building them up.

Key Point:
The Word of God is our guardrail.
It protects us from pride and keeps us rooted in truth.

The moment we go beyond it—adding to it, twisting it, or ignoring it—we fall into the same trap as Corinth: making ourselves the standard.

Cross-References:

• Deuteronomy 4:2 — “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it…”
• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God… that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

These verses remind us that the Bible is not just advice—it’s authority.
It is not a suggestion—it is sufficient.

Application:

Evaluate your life by what is written—not by what is trending.
Test your values, opinions, and attitudes by Scripture—not by applause or ego.

Ask yourself:

• Do I admire people more for their platform or their faithfulness?
• Am I more concerned with how I look to others than how I stand before God?
• Have I added my own ideas to what God has said?

We are not called to build our own kingdom—but to follow God’s Word, even when it humbles us.

Let the Scriptures correct you, confront you, and conform you to the image of Christ.

2. Pride Distorts Our Perspective (v. 7)

“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

Paul doesn’t just warn the Corinthians about going beyond Scripture—he goes straight to the root issue: pride.

They were acting like their gifts, positions, and spiritual insights were things they earned. They were dividing from others based on the illusion of superiority.

Paul reminds them with three piercing questions:

• Who makes you different?
• What do you have that wasn’t given to you?
• If it was given, why are you boasting as if it wasn’t?

Here’s the truth:
Everything you have is a gift from God—your salvation, your talents, your opportunities, your breath. Nothing about the Christian life is self-made.

So where does boasting belong?
Nowhere.

Key Point:
Grace destroys boasting.
When you realize everything you are is by grace, all you can do is worship—not brag.

Cross-References:

• Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction…”
• Jeremiah 9:23–24 — “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom… but let him who boasts boast in this: that he understands and knows Me.”
• Romans 12:3 — “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…”

Application:

Think about your attitude when someone else succeeds…
Think about how you respond when someone challenges your ideas…
Think about how you view people with less talent, status, or knowledge…

Is there any part of you that silently says, “I deserve this… I earned this…”

If so, you’ve forgotten grace.

Let gratitude replace ego. Let humility replace comparison.

3. The Cross-Shaped Life Does Not Impress the World (vv. 8–10)

“You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign…”

Paul uses sharp irony here.
The Corinthians were acting as if they had already arrived spiritually—like reigning kings—while Paul and the apostles were suffering like fools.

They lived as if Christian life meant comfort, applause, and status.
Paul reminds them: that’s not the way of the cross.

He says:

• We are fools for Christ’s sake
• We are weak, but you are strong
• You are honored, we are despised

This wasn’t self-pity—it was a reality check.

The Christian life is not a path of worldly glory. It's a path of sacrifice, service, and sometimes suffering.

Key Point:
If your Christianity costs you nothing, it may mean nothing.

Paul isn't saying every believer must live in misery. Rather, he’s saying:
Faithfulness to Jesus will often make you look foolish in the eyes of the world.

Cross-References:

• Matthew 16:24 — “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross…”
• Philippians 1:29 — “To you it has been granted… to suffer for Christ’s sake.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12 — “All who desire to live godly… will suffer persecution.”

Application:

Ask yourself:
Is my faith too comfortable?
Does my life make sense to unbelievers?
Am I more concerned with fitting in than standing out for Christ?

If your life feels crossless, you may not be carrying one.

4. We Labor with Love, Even When We Are Treated Like Nothing (vv. 11–13)

“To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed… being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat…”

Paul shows what a faithful servant of Christ really looks like.

He isn’t living in luxury.
He isn’t treated like a celebrity.
He isn’t celebrated by culture or even always by the church.

He is hungry, mistreated, mocked, persecuted—and yet, he keeps serving with grace.

“Being reviled, we bless.”
“Being persecuted, we endure.”
“Being defamed, we plead.”

This is not weakness. This is strength under the Spirit’s control.

He even says:
“We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things.”

That’s how the world views true followers of Jesus—like garbage.

And Paul says:
We keep going. We labor on.

Key Point:
The measure of your ministry is not how you are treated—but how you respond.

Cross-References:

• Matthew 5:11–12 — “Blessed are you when men revile you…”
• 1 Peter 2:23 — “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return…”
• 2 Corinthians 6:4–10 — “As unknown, and yet well known… as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing…”

Application:

Are you willing to be overlooked if Christ is honored?
Are you willing to bless those who insult you?
Will you keep serving even when no one applauds?

This is not the Christianity of comfort—this is the Christianity of Christ.

Conclusion: The Cross-Shaped Life

The Corinthian church had gotten it backwards.

They confused status with spirituality, eloquence with authority, and comfort with calling.

Paul’s words cut through the noise—not with condemnation, but with clarity:

• Don’t go beyond what is written.
• Remember: Everything you have is a gift.
• Stop living for admiration. Start living for Jesus.
• Embrace the cross—even if it costs you.

This is not the path of the spotlight. It’s the path of the Savior.

In a world obsessed with status, God calls us to servanthood.
In a culture addicted to admiration, Christ calls us to humility.
And in a church tempted to follow charisma, Paul reminds us to follow the cross.

So… what are you chasing?

Applause—or obedience?

Recognition—or surrender?

A platform—or a towel and basin?

God is not impressed by outward success. He’s drawn to humble hearts that say,
“Jesus, I’ll follow You—even when it hurts.”