Sermons / February 15, 2026

Theme: Evaluating Church Leaders Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:18–4:5 Considering the teaching so far, we need to approach evaluating church leaders as follows: 1.       Guard against self-deception (3:18–23). How? a.       Become fools by the world’s standards to truly be wise (18–20). Reason: God deems worldly wisdom foolish (19a).  i.        He uses craftiness to entrap (19b). ii.        He knows worldly wisdom’s futility (20). b.       Stop boasting in human leaders (21–23). Reason: i.        What they do is for your benefit, not theirs (21–22). ii.        You belong to Christ for God’s glory (23). 2.       Regard leaders as Christ’s servant-managers (4:1–4). a.       They are to be faithful in God’s task for them (2). b.       Little should be made of our judgments (3). c.       The Lord’s judgment counts (4). 3.       Reserve judgment to the Lord’s return (5). a.       He will bring all things to light. b.       He will judge motives. c.       God will then give His commendation. Main Idea: As members united in Christ’s church, we can avoid self-deception and division by submitting to Christ and His servant leaders rather than passing judgment on them. Application Questions: ·     According to this text why do we so easily fall prey to self-deception? From these verses, how does self-deception manifest itself within the church? ·     Is there a place at all for worldly wisdom within the life of a believer? Explain. ·     How does this text explain the various levels of submission to God within the church body? How is it that church leaders are part of the “all things are yours” (20–21) and yet we are called to submit to them (Heb. 13:17)? ·     How should we evaluate our church leaders? From the teaching of 1 Corinthians so far, to what standards are we justified in holding them? ·     What is this passage calling you to do regarding your church leaders?