Dave Folkerts
March 30, 2025
In this study of 1 Corinthians 4:5-21 we will learn 5 principles for living in humility. Paul is correcting the church in Corinth for their pride and arrogance as he seeks for them to repent. This study shows us that gratitude and trust in God are pillars to a humble life.
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1 Corinthians 4:1-5 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as
servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those
who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am
judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4
My conscience is
clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
5 Therefore
judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the
heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while
in the body, whether good or bad.
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1. Live humbly knowing Jesus is our judge
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 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. 7 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?
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2. Live humbly with gratitude, everything we
have is from God
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 Already you have all you want! Already you have
become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you
really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that
God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those
condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole
universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ,
but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are
honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are
in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own
hands.
When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 when we
are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the
garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
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3. Humbly endure hardships for the sake of
Christ
1 Corinthians 4:14-17 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn
you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ,
you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through
the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have
sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will
remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach
everywhere in every church.
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4. Live humbly so our lifestyle matches our
faith in Christ
1 Corinthians 4:18-21 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming
to you. 19 But
I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will
find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they
have. 20 For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall
I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a
gentle spirit?
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5. Humbly warn those you love with God’s power
Revelation 3:19-20 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be
earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they
with Me.
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