2. The Marks of a True Spiritual Leader
Studies in 2 Corinthians Series, Part 26
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
© February 17, 2019
Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

3. THE CORINTHIANS'COMPLAINTS AGAINST APOSTLE PAUL
Complaint about Paul’s modesty as inferiority: “Why can’t you be more like these fantastic apostles from Jerusalem?” (2 Cor. 11:5-6; 12:11)
Complaint about Paul’s meekness as weakness: “Wy can’t you lead more forcefully without being unimpressive and weak in person?” (2 Cor. 10:1-2; 11:20-21).
Complaint about Paul’s financial policy as suspicion: “Why can’t you ask for and receive financial support for your ministry?” (2 Cor. 11:7; 12:13-14).
Complaint about Paul’s self-denial as ulterior motive: “Why can’t you stop changing your plans and be normal like other apostles?” (2 Cor. 1:17; 12:16-17).

4. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

5. WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADER? [2 Cor. 12:11-21]
MARK #1 – God’s anointing with humility & endurance: Paul used God-given authenticating signs with genuine humility and great endurance.
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. (vs )
Signs and wonders (miracles) were the authenticating signs of the apostles of Christ as the foundation of God’s revealed Word, the New Testament.
But, Paul used these supernatural signs not as his own power but as Christ’s validation for his apostleship in the context of humility & endurance.
Genuine humility means confidence without pride; great endurance means utmost patience through his suffering, persecutions, and mistreatments.

6. WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADER? [2 Cor. 12:11-21]
MARK #2 – Selfless love & radical sacrifice: Paul was radically selfless and sacrificial in loving and serving the Corinthians for Christ’s sake.
  13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but  parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?  (vs )
The only thing that Paul lacked in his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians was that he chose not to put financial burden on them (using sarcasm here).
Paul held back NOTHING in ministering to them (“spend and to be spent”).
The more Paul loved, the less they loved them back---nevertheless, Paul sacrificed his all in leading and serving them for Christ and the gospel!

7. WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADER? [2 Cor. 12:11-21]
MARK #3 – Integrity of pure motive & practice: Paul kept both his motive and practice pure, upholding the leadership integrity at all times.
16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. (vs )
Because of Paul’s radical difference compared to the false apostles, the Corinthians doubted his motive for sacrifice and self-denial.
They accused Paul for being crafty and suspicious in his loving sacrifice.
We too need to uphold integrity as an essential element of our leadership—both in inner motive and outer practice in all things.

8. A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God's heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing, and altogether as ready to follow as to lead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.
A. W. Tozer

9. WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF A TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADER? [2 Cor. 12:11-21]
MARK #4 – Concern for the spiritual welfare of others: Paul’s ultimate concern was not for vindication but for others’ spiritual welfare/holiness.
20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.  21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those  who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. (vs )
As Paul identifies with the Corinthians’ apprehension for his third visit, he brings out his ultimate concern for them in his visit and ministry.
It wasn’t Paul’s own vindication or success of his ministry in Corinth.
His ultimate concern was for their spiritual welfare/holiness—the wayward Corinthians’ real repentance and transformation toward Christlikeness.

10. The Goal of Spiritual Leadership
Therefore, the goal of spiritual leadership is that people come to know God and to glorify him in all that they do. Spiritual leadership is aimed not so much at directing people as it is at changing people. If we would be the kind of leaders we ought to be, we must make it our aim to develop persons rather than dictate plans. You can get people to do what you want, but if they don’t change in their heart, you have not led them spiritually. You have not taken them to where God wants them to be All genuine leadership begins in a sense of desperation — knowledge that we are helpless sinners in need of a great Savior. That moves us to listen to God in his word and to cry out to him for help and for insight in prayer. That leads us to trust in God and to hope in his great and precious promises. That frees us for a life of love and service which, in the end, causes people to see and give glory to our Father in heaven.
— John Piper

11. RECAP: DISCERNING & PURUSING TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
God’s anointing with humility & endurance: Like Paul, we are to use God-given anointing/gifts only with genuine humility and great endurance.
Selfless love & radical sacrifice: Like Paul, we are to be radically selfless and sacrificial in loving and serving others for Christ’s sake.
Integrity of pure motive & practice: Like Paul, we are to keep our motive and practice pure, upholding the leadership integrity at all times.
Concern for the spiritual welfare of others: Like Paul, we are to have our ultimate concern not for vindication or success but for others’ spiritual welfare—real transformation toward Christlikeness.

12. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE
In what ways are you more convinced of your need for discerning the right criterion for spiritual leadership?
What would it mean for you to have selfless love & radical sacrifice for those whom you lead spiritually (e.g., your children, younger or new Christians)?
What is your first step in cultivating your leadership integrity and concern for the spiritual welfare of others?