Sermons / February 22, 2026 // Go the Way of the Cross

1. The Apostles’ example (4:6-13) a. Be humbled by Scripture (6) Command: Do not go beyond what is written. Reason: Going beyond Scripture puffs up with pride and brings harm to the community of faith.  b. Be humbled by grace (7) Key question: What do you have that you did not receive? Forgetting that all is grace leads to pride that divides. c. Be humbled by the cross (8-13) The Corinthians’ arrogance (8) The Apostles’ humiliation (9-13) - “The apostles are living pictures of the One they follow.” // The way of discipleship is the way of the cross of Christ (Mark 8:34-36). 2. Fatherly warning & exhortation (4:14-21) a. Call to imitation (14-17; see 1 Cor 10:32–11:1; Phil 3:17; 4:9; 2 Thess 3:7-9; 2 Tim 3:10-11)  Spiritual leaders set a pattern for emulation by living according to God’s Word, but not beyond it. b. Call to repentance (18-21) Main Idea: Suffering is not an unfortunate reality to be endured by the disciple of Jesus, it is the authentication that one is following in the way of their crucified Savior. Spiritual maturity proves itself as we share in the sufferings of Christ (Jn 16:33; Rom 5:1-5; 2 Cor 1:5; Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 4:13). Discussion Questions: 1. What does it mean to “go beyond what is written”? How are you/ we prone to “go beyond what is written” in our judgements of Christian leaders and other believers? Are there any worldly metrics that you are inclined to judge the church’s leaders on? How does Paul’s instruction in these verses apply? 2. Consider Paul’s question for yourself: What do you have that you did not receive? What are you prone to take credit for and become puffed up about? Pause and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any pride that exists. 3. How does going beyond what is written in judging others and forgetting that all is grace lead to divisions within Christ’s Church? Do you see any of this in our church? How does remembering that all is grace lead to humble unity with the church? 4. Read James 3:13-18. What does James say the root of “wisdom” that harbors jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition is? What do these produce in the Christian community? 5. Read the list of descriptions about the apostles in verses 9-13. What is your reaction to this list? What is your reaction to Paul’s exhortation in verse 16 to “imitate him”? How does a theology of the cross apply to your practical Christian life? 6. Consider this quote: “The apostles are living pictures of the One they follow.” What is your life a picture of? Ask God to help you repent of any pride that is causing division within His body. Rejoice that all is grace and that you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Eph. 1:3) and that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Ps 84:11).