“How to {Wisely} Handle Antagonism”

Week 8
Main Point and Overview:   

After the Apostle Paul had spent 18 months starting, building, and discipling the Corinthians, he left. It was during this time that a group of antagonists rose up calling Paul’s “credentials” into question. The danger in this was that if the Corinthians were persuaded to believe these antagonists, they could be susceptible to rejecting Paul’s doctrinal teachings and practical admonishments. Therefore, Paul “challenged” the antagonists, but he did so in facts and not feelings. The facts were that Paul was called by God to be an apostle, chosen by God to start the Corinthian church, and seen by God on the road to Damascus. He reminded the Corinthians that the evidence of his position of leadership was the changed lives that were a result of his preaching through the power of the Gospel. Over the years, many good and faithful leaders have been unfairly discriminated against, and do you know what their “saving grace” was? It’s the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people they have taught and trained. The evidence was overwhelmingly in favor of Paul’s ministry. God was working in undeniable ways. It’s also true that Paul was the perfect example of sacrifice and humility. Instead of taking advantage of certain “rights” that belonged to him, he selflessly set aside those rights so that more and more people could come to Christ. He always had the good of others in mind. He embodied his own words to the Philippians: “looking to others’ interests above your own.” What about you and me? Do we prioritize the spiritual development of others above our own personal interests and desires? Paul was so committed to preaching the “Good News” of Jesus Christ that he was passionate about finding all kinds of ways to talk and relate to people. Instead of getting consumed with others’ opinions of him, he made the mission his ultimate mindset. How was he able to put the distractions aside? All he saw was the “prize” awaiting him – heaven with Jesus! He lived his life with passion for what was eternal and not temporal. The best way that you and I can reject the “antagonism” of others is to ignore it and push forward for Christ! One day, we will all stand before God, and what we did in this life will be evaluated. No one has time to worry about what others think.