The Upside Down World
Saints Sinners Soldiers
March 3, 2019
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Paul calls believers to imitate his humble, God‑dependent example, teaching that true greatness in God's kingdom means living under God's authority, being beholden to His work, and choosing to be last rather than pursuing worldly honor.
Summary
Using the familiar childhood question of what we want to be, the sermon contrasts common ambitions for fame and fortune with the rare desire to be a pastor and with Paul's model of kingdom greatness in 1 Corinthians: imitate the apostles' humility. Paul urges the Corinthians to live under God's Word and to acknowledge that all gifts and positions come from God, not from human achievement; greatness in God's economy is servant‑like, putting others and God first and accepting the status of 'last' rather than seeking the world's esteem. The congregation is admonished to be ready recipients of this truth and eager doers of it in Christ's name.
Key Points
- Childhood expectations often aim at worldly greatness, while few aspire to pastoral humility
- Paul (1 Corinthians) commands: "Be imitators of me," presenting his life as a model of kingdom greatness
- Kingdom greatness is lived under God's authority and grounded in God's work, not human boasting
- Believers must live beholden to God, recognizing that nothing in God's kingdom is earned by us
- True greatness means being last—servantlike, putting others and God first, as the apostles were shown to be
- This contrasts sharply with Corinthian values that prize honor and status
- Practical exhortation: receive Paul's admonition by the Spirit and become eager, obedient doers of Christ's way
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