The True Measure of a Minister | Rev. Paul Lawler

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The Prodigal Church #8

What if being faithful meant becoming the “scum of the earth”? In this hard-hitting message, Paul flips the Corinthian view of ministry upside down—and it still challenges today’s church.

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In a culture obsessed with platform and polish, Rev. Paul delivers a blistering correction to the Corinthian church’s warped view of leadership. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 4:1–13, this sermon reveals that the true measure of a minister isn’t charisma, applause, or even perceived effectiveness—it’s faithfulness.

Paul uses two powerful metaphors:

1. A Steward — A servant who owns nothing and is judged only by the Master’s standards, not public opinion.
2. A Spectacle — A condemned prisoner paraded before the world, revealing that true apostleship often means public shame and deep suffering.

He calls out premature judgment, prideful comparison, and flesh-driven favoritism. The world may call faithful ministers “fools,” but God calls them sons and daughters.

The gospel turns ministry upside down—and if we’re building on anything but Christ, we’re not building well.

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