Playing With Holy FireSample

DAY 2: Why Do We Love Super-Apostles?

The believers in Corinth were impressed with big personalities and big talk. They were attracted to outward success and personal charisma. They mistook Paul’s sacrificial service for weakness and were not impressed.

We have an epidemic today of super-apostles, and in some circles it seems to be getting worse.

A close friend of mine was shocked by what he saw firsthand while serving at a church. A well-known teacher ministered one Sunday, after which this leader and his wife, along with the pastor and his wife, went to a mall together with my friend. In front of his eyes, they bought Rolex watches, charging the bill to their respective ministries, justifying the purchases as some kind of ministry expense. What would Paul say about this?

When it came time for Paul to boast about his apostleship, he listed his sufferings for the gospel, and it was quite an overwhelming list. In contrast, super-apostles boasted in their strength, their abilities, their personalities, and their riches. And the Corinthians wanted to be like them!

We think too highly of ourselves. We must humble ourselves before the Lord and say, “Father, I’m here to serve, not to be served, to give, not to get. Help me follow in the footsteps of Your Son.”