True Intimacy in the Church

Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians wasn’t distant—it was that of a spiritual father who loved them enough to correct them. He says in verse 14, “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”

Love that refuses to correct isn’t love at all—it’s indifference. The church must embrace a love that gently but firmly calls people toward Christ. Too often, we mistake tolerance for love, but real love leads to growth and transformation.

Anchoring Everything in the Gospel
Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they have many teachers, they don’t have many fathers. A teacher imparts knowledge, but a father invests in lives. The church is not just a gathering—it’s a family.

We must cultivate gospel-centered relationships where we:

•Embrace deep connections—invest in people beyond Sunday services.
•Love enough to correct and be corrected—truth spoken in love leads to growth.
•Anchor everything in the gospel—our goal is not moral perfection but growing into Christlikeness.

Living a Life Worth Imitating
Paul urges, “Be imitators of me” (v. 16). Not because he was perfect, but because his life pointed to Christ. Discipleship isn’t just about learning; it’s about living a life that others can follow.

Who are your spiritual mentors? And who are you mentoring? Growth happens in relationships.

The Danger of Pride
The Corinthians struggled with arrogance, mistaking knowledge for maturity. Paul warns that the kingdom of God is not about talk, but power (v. 20). Our faith should lead to transformation.

Let’s commit to being a church that:

•Welcomes correction.
•Seeks spiritual power over empty words.
•Lives in humility, depending on the Holy Spirit.

A true church family isn’t about appearing perfect—it’s about growing together in Christ. Let’s be that kind of church