MPC, 14th October 2001.2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14 - "Authority to Build"
Phil Campbell MPC, 14th October 2001.
One thing the world crisis gives us at the moment is an opportunity to see very clearly some models of RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP. Because in one part of the world at least, RELIGIOUS LEADERS seem to be KEY PLAYERS in what's going on.
So consider for a moment Mullah Muhammad Omar. He's the Taliban leader who has officially announced the Ulema council's decree for a Jihad against the United States. And so now it's compulsory for Muslims in Afghanistan and other countries under Sharia law to KILL every American they possibly can.
The Mullah Muhammad Omar speaks with REAL AUTHORITY. When he SPEAKS he expects to be OBEYED. Mullah Muhammed Omar is the SUPREME LEADER of the Taliban. The EMPEROR OF THE FAITHFUL A religious leader whose very words can mean LIFE OR DEATH.
At the same time, Brisbane's ANGLICANS are looking for a new Archbishop. A leader to replace Peter Hollingsworth. But the trouble is, the process has been stalled. Because there are more 100 submissions to the appointment committee with views on the qualities needed by the new archbishop. One report in the paper said parishioners are crying out for a down-to-earth pastor to lead the church. But others have other ideas. The one thing they agree on, says the article in yesterdays paper, is they want a RESULT. It said, "People want an archbishop and they are sick of being in limbo."
So what are you going to LOOK FOR in a good Christian leader? Maybe you've known some Christian leaders who you secretly suspect have dreams of being like Afghanistan's Mullah. And maybe who have acted like it. Maybe you've known Christian leaders who in their own way are petty tyrants. Or want to be.
It's funny in a way. Some people expect it. Some people even kind of like it. Authoritarian leadership that tells you exactly what to do and when to do it. And yet for other people, when you've seen that sort of thing it can leave you cynical. And hurt. One of the reasons, I think, that we're seeing in Australia what people are calling POST DENOMINATIONALISM. A hesitation for people to identify too strongly with a particular church or denomination or leadership structure. Because of a fear of some sort of authoritarian expectations; of a leadership that only has its own best interests at heart.
As we tidy up some loose ends and come to the end of second Corinthians today, leadership is a live issue. And it has been all the way through the letter. Here's a CHURCH in Corinth that in a sense is LONGING FOR LEADERSHIP. But the WRONG KIND. Reading between the lines, maybe, a church more at home with the style of a Mullah Muhammed Omar. A church CRITICAL of their original apostle; Paul, who first preached Jesus to them. A church that's gone on to bigger and better things. Or so they think.
There's something to learn here about AUTHORITY in Christian leadership. And what we'll see is that there are two possible extremes to be avoided. The danger of HARSH AUTHORITARIANISM on the one hand. But the opposite extreme as well; that maybe 21st century Australian Christians are in most danger from. And that is, the danger of thinking that there's NO PLACE FOR AUTHORITY in the Christian church.
And to make the balance perfectly clear, lets start at the end. Conclusion first.
The Christians at Corinth have somehow decided that as a leader, PAUL'S WEAK. Which is the last thing the world wants in its leaders when times are tough. Which is why John Howard and Kim Beasley both want to tell us at the moment that they're offering STRONG LEADERSHIP for uncertain times.
But if you look at chapter 13 verse 10, you'll see there's been a huge misunderstanding. The Corinthian Christians are saying PAUL HAS NO AUTHORITY. And they couldn't be more wrong. But there's a key balance in what Paul says here in verse 10 that we need to understand very well. Because it's the essence of Christian leadership.
His authority from God is VERY REAL. But listen to how he describes it. He says I hope you're taking notice of what I've written. Because when I come, I don't want to have to be HARSH in my USE OF AUTHORITY. The authority the Lord gave me, he says….FOR BUILDING YOU UP. Not for tearing you down.
It's AUTHORITY with a purpose attached. Which is the way authority usually works isn't it? I was at the gym the other day, and a couple of the guys were standing around TALKING instead of exercising. So one of the other guys decides to stir them up a bit, and he walks over to them and he says in his toughest voice, ARE YOU HERE TO TALK?, or ARE YOU HERE TO EXERCISE?. TIME FOR YOU GUYS TO GET TO WORK. To which they say, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? And he says, I'm the new GYM WARDEN. So DO AS YOU'RE TOLD.
Now he was kidding. Here's a guy with no authority at all to tell anyone to do anything. At which point you just laugh and tell him to get lost.
Which isn't the case with Paul. Look at the words again. There's a REAL AUTHORITY. And it has a SPECIFIC PURPOSE. He says it's the authority THE LORD GAVE ME… but it's not for tearing the Lord's people down. It's for BUILDING THE LORD'S PEOPLE UP.
And if any Christian leader since the time of the apostle Paul has used authority for anything other than BUILDING GOD'S PEOPLE UP, then they're using the Lord's name in vain, aren't they? They're talking through their hats. Paul's AUTHORITY IS VERY REAL. And it's purpose is very clear. Use it to build up. Use it to encourage. Because that's what Jesus commissioned him for. He's got a BUILDING CONTRACT. Not a demolition order.
So let's see how Paul puts that into practice. And I want to suggest there's lots of evidence in what he's saying here that THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE'S ON ABOUT.
As he winds the letter up, we need to remember that here's a church that's all about Keeping Up Appearances. And Paul's had some stern things to say. Here's a church that's big on fat talk; style rather than substance.
And Paul wants to teach them something important. Which is, CHRISTIAN SERVICE is not about TAKING, but about GIVING.
When my mum and dad come to visit, it's frustrating. Because they insist on staying in the little downstairs room. They say, WE DON'T WANT TO BE A BURDEN. When we go to their place to visit, my dad always wants to pay for the petrol we've used to get there. And that's how it is with Paul.
And so where you pick it up in chapter 12 verse 14, that's what he's saying; NOW I'M READY TO VISIT YOU A THIRD TIME… and I WON'T BE A BURDEN TO YOU, because what I want is NOT YOUR POSSESSIONS, BUT YOU. He says don't even make me a bed. I'll stay in a motel.
Because after all, he says - kids shouldn't have to save up for their parents. Parents SAVE UP FOR THEIR KIDS. And Paul says, I've been like your dad. Verse 15, he says, So I'll gladly spend for you everything I have and EXPEND MYSELF AS WELL.
Funny thing is, the Corinthians want to CRITICISE HIM FOR THAT. They take it as some kind of insult. That other churches have been allowed to give him support, but for some reason they haven't. An indication, I guess, of the fact Paul knows THEY'RE NOT ONBOARD in their hearts.
And - laced with irony - he's apologising to them back in verse 13 for making them maybe feel inferior because he was never a burden to them. FORGIVE ME THIS WRONG. Trouble is, they wanted someone they could PATRONISE. In the literal sense of the word. And Paul's not having it. He's determined that he's going to KEEP SERVING THEM… and not be a burden.
Which is the same attitude that comes through even when they're CRITICISING HIM. As they are. More complaints in verse 16 to 18. Have I tricked you? No. Did I exploit you? No. Have any of the people like Titus who I sent you exploited you? No.
But do you think I'm DEFENDING MYSELF NOW SO I'LL FEEL BETTER? No again.
That's what we always want to do, isn't it. If we're unfairly criticised. Defend our precious honour. Set the record straight. But Paul can genuinely say that's not his motive at all. The only thing he wants for them is that they're NOT LEAD ASTRAY FROM CHRIST. By the sort of false teaching that's spreading all round Corinth. Look what he says in verse 19. He says, "Have you been thinking all along that we've been DEFENDING OURSELVES to you? We've been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ, and EVERYTHING WE DO, dear friends, IS FOR YOUR STRENGTHENING.
Not for MY HONOUR, so I'll feel better. But for your strengthening. See it again? Paul's authority, his whole emphasis, it isn't for TEARING THEM DOWN. And it isn't for his own SATISFACTION IN USING HIS GIFTS. When he's criticised, he's not concerned about the effect on his own self esteem. His only concern is WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM.
And that even applies when it's time to talk tough. As any parent sometime has to. Paul's on his way to visit. Visit number 3. There's a rule that says you need THREE WITNESSES TO MAKE A CASE. Well, he's been to see them once, He's been to see them twice. Three strike and you're out. He says I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent. He says, when I come back I won't SPARE THOSE WHO SINNED EARLIER, or any of the others, since you're demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.
When I come for the third time, he says you'll see I mean business. You don't think CHRIST is speaking through me as his apostle? Well, you'll find out what CHRIST THINKS OF YOU when I come. The RISEN CHRIST, who he says was crucified in weakness, but now lives by God's power.
Now it sounds like Paul's going to come to break their arms and legs, doesn't it? Or at least confine them to the bathroom for the rest of the afternoon. I'm not sure what he's got in mind. But the fact is, Paul has the authority to SPEAK IN THE NAME OF THE RISEN JESUS. The Judge of all Creation.
But even then - and here's the stunning thing… even with those HARD WORDS… look at how he finishes the sentence. At the end of verse 4. "Likewise," he says, "we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will LIVE WITH HIM…" - not to crush you. But TO SERVE YOU.
And so even as he's REBUKING THEM… it's not to get even. It's not to act tough. It's not to show that he's important and they're not. It's TO SERVE THEM. Even as he calls them into line on issues like their quarrelling and their factions and their immorality and their sexual impurity, it's not for HIS GOOD. It's for THEIR GOOD.
That brings us to Paul's final warning. He says HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELVES. Trouble with the Corinthians is, they've been so busy CRITICISING PAUL that they haven't had a good look inside for a while.
Did you realise every time you switch on your computer if you look carefully right at the start there's a set of NUMBERS that count up on the screen. It's called a POWER-ON SELF TEST. As your PC clocks through and checks all the memory addresses. Paul says, RUN ONE OF THOSE… on YOU.
Examine yourselves, verse 5, to see whether you're in the faith. TEST YOURSELVES. Ask yourselves if you're still trusting Jesus. Ask yourselves if you're still being motivated by HIS SPIRIT. He says, WHEN YOU'RE CRITICISING ME AS CHRIST'S MESSENGER, don't you realise that Christ Jesus is IN YOU AS WELL? That is, if you pass the test. We're all on the same side.
And I trust you'll discover, he says in verse 6, that we HAVE NOT FAILED THE TEST. The super apostles have come, they've sowed the seeds of doubt. A new message. More impressive. Better presentation. Promises of health and prosperity. Paul says, I'm not impressive at all. Just here to SERVE. But to serve with the authority of JESUS HIMSELF. Is that what you see when you run the test on ME?
He says, I trust you'll discover WE HAVEN"T FAILED THE TEST. And I pray, he says, that you won't do anything silly. That you'll do what's right even though you might think WE'RE NOT UP TO MUCH.
He's saying, the real test is what you're going to do even when people like Titus and me don't seem to measure up to much. When we look like we're failures. When we look WEAK.
But even then, says Paul, I don't mind. Because that's what I WANT ANYWAY. You to be STRONG. Me to be weak. You think you're perfect and I'm nothing? That's fine. That's what I want for you anyhow! Because MY AUTHORITY IS FOR BUILDING YOU UP. You're the project I'm here for.
That's his point in verse 9; "We're glad whenever WE ARE WEAK but you are strong, and our PRAYER IS FOR YOUR PERFECTION." That's exactly what I'm here for.
"Paul, we're more impressive that you are in every way." GOOD.
Darren Cahill didn't ever amount to much as a tennis player. Reached the US open Semi finals in 1988. Then started coaching in Adelaide. Hardly glorious. But this year he was at the US open again. As Lleyton Hewitt's coach. And after Leyton's big win against Pete Sampras, Darren Cahill said this. He said, Leyton has been the PERFECT professional focused tennis player.
"That's what we've been working on trying to get him to do for the last three years, and this is how it's turned out."
Which is exactly Paul's attitude. He's been working on seeing the CORINTHIANS developing in their faith and their godliness. Wanting to see THEIR PERFECTION. Given authority by the Lord Jesus to BUILD THEM UP. Giving himself for them like a father; not interested in DEFENDING HIS OWN HONOUR OR RIGHTS; even as he DISCIPLINES THEM, it's like a COACH. Doing EVERYTHING … for their strengthening.
Now as I said at the start, there's a model here for Christian leaders today, isn't there? And maybe that isn't the model you've experienced. It's a model that Christian leaders like me are going to fail to meet. But learn the distinctives well. And keep us accountable.
Let me put the leaders of THIS CHURCH on notice. And I include myself at the top of the list. Can I say clearly that our intention as we lead is to SERVE YOU. That the only authority we have and the only authority we'll seek to use is the authority to BUILD YOU UP and not TEAR YOU DOWN. And that applies to Maurie and me, to our elders, to our youth and kidzbiz leaders as well. That's the goal.
I found an article the other day about DANGER SIGNS. Marks of "perverted authority." Authority in a church context abused and misused. Which happens way too often. Eleven signs of perverted authority. Things to watch for.
You'll find leaders who want to claim direct authority from God. Instead of wanting you to test things by the God's Word. The article said many Christian leaders today want to talk about "personal" revelations. That they say give them authority.
Second, the article said the command is to "submit to me," rather than "I will serve you." Third, the method of leadership is to "order" people around, rather than to appeal for them to do the right things. Number four, watch out for a dominating, "pushy" drive instead of a dependence on God to direct.
Number 5, there's a sense of control, rather than a sense of support. Six, the article says often a particular gift is exploited so that others are made to feel dependent on it.
You'll see inflexibility - "don't question me." There's unapproachability and intimidation - the "aura" around the leader keeps the followers in "awe." An organization emerges built around a man and his peculiar emphases instead of around Christ and His Word.
Mark number 10, there'll be challenges to the authority figure as people realise what's happening. And those challenges are immediately and forcefully purged. And finally, there's more concern for maintaining the authoritarian structure than there is for caring about the people in it.
The tragedy is, those things are happening in churches all over the world. Some Christian leaders forget that the only authority that comes with the job is the authority to BUILD UP.
Please keep reminding us of that, won't you? Don't make the mistake of going to the other extreme and saying there's meant to be NO AUTHORITY AND STRUCTURE in God's church. But let's commit ourselves to working hard at RIGHT AUTHORITY. With leaders who serve; who build up. Modelled on Paul, whose only ambition was to be a good coach. And see the progress of the players that he's coaching. Keep reminding me of that. And your elders. And your small-group leaders. Thank them when they're doing it well. And correct us when we're not.
Paul finishes his letter on a positive note. And we should as well. So let me read his final words from verse 11…
11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen