Message Notes

Senior Sunday School 28 December 2025

Text: 1 Corinthians 4

Subject: “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power”

Lesson #25

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 

21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:18-21

1. The kingdom of God

This was the focus of the Lord Jesus

This was also what the Apostles focused on

2. The challenge

To present the Gospel of the Kingdom of God

To teach what the Lord emphasised about the Kingdom life

i) Matthew 5-7

ii) Luke 6

A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

1. Some had become wayward

2. They were living carnal lives

3. They were disputing the teachings of Paul

4. They were behaving badly

5. They were “puffed up” (arrogant and conceited)

PAUL’S INTENTION TO VISIT THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

1 Corinthians 4:19

1. Paul will visit Corinth shortly

2. It would be “as the Lord wills”

Paul had personal plans

The Lord’s Will was his main concern

This had to be discerned

Paul then carried out God’s Will

3. What he would not do

He would not be “puffed up”

He would not behave like the Corinthians

He would not only come with words

4. He would come with power

This is a reference to more than just “authority”

He would come with “power”

God had given such power to all His apostles

i) To perform signs and wonders

ii) To discipline and chasten

Examples of apostolic authority and power

i) The judgment of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

ii) The punishment of Elymas (Acts 13:8-12)

A CHOICE GIVEN

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:21

1. The Corinthians were given a choice

For Paul to come with a rod (chastisement)

For Paul to come in love and a spirit of gentleness

2. The sinful behaviour of the Corinthians had to be addressed

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To consider the lifestyle of people who are in the kingdom of God

2. Consider the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10)

3. Our Christian lifestyle must be an established one