In this chapter, Paul asks the Corinthians, "What do you have that you did not receive?" This question encapsulates Paul's theology of grace, which holds that everything we have is a gift from God. In order to encourage the Corinthians to live a life shaped by God's grace, and the sacrifice and surrender the cross calls us to, Paul employs a combination of irony, sarcasm, and tender love to guide them. However, he recognizes that mere teachings are not enough; the Corinthians need an embodied example to follow. As such, he sends them Timothy, a living embodiment of humility and grace, to model for them what it means to live a life in accordance with the gospel.

Sermon Notes:

• How we view influence matters.
• Who is influencing you?
• Is scripture your standard?
• Gospel centred influencers don’t reach for power.
• Instead gospel-centred influencers humbly serve.
• Gospel centred influencers don’t strike back.
• Instead, gospel centred influencers surrender.
• Gospel centred influencers doesn’t shame.
• Instead gospel centred influence care.
• Are we are following whose lives reflect the way of Jesus?