Christlike Leadership: Sacrifice, Love, and Integrity

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth is under strain. He’s been accused by new teachers of being a fraud, of manipulating the church for his own gain, and of lacking authority. Yet, Paul’s response is not to defend himself for his own sake, but to clarify what Christlike leadership truly looks like. He uses the image of a parent sacrificing for their child, explaining that his refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians was not an insult, but a demonstration of his love and desire for their growth. Paul’s goal is not to benefit from the church, but to be a benefit to them, even if it means personal sacrifice, discomfort, or having to confront them about difficult issues.

Paul’s example challenges us to rethink leadership and influence in our own lives. Whether or not we hold formal positions, we all have spheres where we impact others—at work, at home, among friends, or even in casual groups. The call is to live sacrificially, love generously, walk blamelessly, and, when necessary, confront redemptively. These are not just ideals for pastors or church leaders, but for every follower of Jesus in every relationship.

Living sacrificially means being willing to give up comfort, resources, or reputation for the good of others, just as parents do for their children. Loving generously is rooted in the reality that God has first loved us, and so we extend that same grace and kindness to others, even when it’s not reciprocated. Walking blamelessly is about integrity—letting our character be our defense against accusation, knowing that true character cannot be faked or dismissed. And confronting redemptively means addressing sin or brokenness in others not to shame or punish, but to restore and help them grow.

These principles also shape how we relate to those who lead us. If our leaders claim to follow Christ, we have the right and responsibility to expect them to lead in this way—and to lovingly hold them accountable when they fall short. The reputation of Jesus is at stake in how his followers live and lead. As we seek to apply these truths, we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and correct us, trusting that this is the best way to live and to help others thrive.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sacrificial Living Is Central to Christian Influence Paul’s refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians was not about pride or independence, but about embodying the sacrificial love of a parent for a child. True influence in the kingdom of God is marked by a willingness to give up personal comfort, resources, or recognition for the sake of others’ growth and wellbeing. This kind of sacrifice is often costly, but it reflects the heart of Christ and is foundational to healthy relationships and communities. [44:15]
• 2. Generous Love Flows from God’s Generosity Paul’s actions toward the Corinthians, even when they were difficult or ungrateful, were motivated by a deep, generous love that mirrors God’s love for us. We are called to love others not because they deserve it, but because we have been loved first by God. This generous love is not transactional; it seeks the good of others, even at personal cost, and is the foundation for lasting impact in any sphere of influence. [54:43]
• 3. Integrity Is the Strongest Defense Against Accusation When Paul’s motives and actions were questioned, he pointed to his consistent character and the integrity of his co-workers. In a world where accusations and misunderstandings are common, a life marked by daily, faithful integrity is a powerful testimony. True character cannot be manufactured or hidden; it is revealed over time and stands as an unassailable witness to the reality of Christ at work in us. [56:02]
• 4. Redemptive Confrontation Is an Act of Love Confronting others about sin or destructive behavior is never easy, but it is sometimes necessary for their growth and restoration. Paul models a way of confronting that is not vindictive or self-serving, but is aimed at helping others return to God’s design for their lives. This kind of confrontation requires humility, self-awareness, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to ensure that our motivation is truly for the other’s good, not our own vindication. [58:59]
• 5. We Must Expect and Encourage Christlike Leadership Those who claim to follow Christ and lead others—whether pastors, parents, or public figures—are called to a higher standard of sacrificial, generous, and blameless leadership. It is our responsibility as fellow believers to encourage, expect, and, when necessary, lovingly hold our leaders accountable to these standards. When we fail to do so, the reputation of Jesus is at stake, as the world often judges Christ by the actions of his followers. [64:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:30] - Over and Above Offering and Missions Update
• [04:10] - Series Overview: 1 & 2 Corinthians
• [07:00] - Setting the Stage: Paul and the Corinthian Church
• [10:45] - Paul’s Leadership Under Attack
• [14:20] - Paul’s Motivation: Not Your Money, But Your Hearts
• [18:30] - The Parent-Child Analogy in Leadership
• [22:00] - Paul’s Financial Integrity and Titus’ Role
• [27:10] - The Accusations Against Paul and His Response
• [32:00] - The Goal of Leadership: Strengthening Others
• [36:00] - Paul’s Fears for the Corinthian Church
• [40:00] - Four Principles for Christian Relationships
• [47:00] - Applying Sacrificial Living and Generous Love
• [53:00] - Walking Blamelessly and Confronting Redemptively
• [58:00] - Implications for Leaders and Followers
• [64:00] - The Stakes: Christ’s Reputation and Our Witness
• [70:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflections
• [75:35] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 12:14-21 — Paul’s explanation of his sacrificial leadership, his refusal to take money from the Corinthians, and his heart for their growth and restoration.

- 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” (Explicitly referenced in the sermon as the foundation for generous love.)

- Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Explicitly referenced in the sermon regarding redemptive confrontation.)

Observation Questions

1. In 2 Corinthians 12:14-15, what analogy does Paul use to describe his relationship with the Corinthians, and what does this reveal about his motivation for not accepting their financial support?
2. According to the sermon, what accusations were being made against Paul by the new teachers in Corinth, and how did Paul respond to these accusations?
3. What does Paul say is the ultimate goal of his leadership in verse 19, and how does this contrast with the motives of the new teachers?
4. In the sermon, what list of behaviors does Paul fear he will find in the Corinthian church when he visits again?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul compare himself to a parent sacrificing for their child, and how does this shape our understanding of Christian leadership and influence?
2. The sermon highlights that Paul’s refusal to take money was misunderstood by some as an insult. What does this teach about the challenges of living sacrificially and being misunderstood, even when our motives are pure?
3. How does Paul’s emphasis on integrity (“walking blamelessly”) serve as a defense against accusations, and why is character so important in Christian influence?
4. What does it mean to “confront redemptively,” and how is this different from confronting out of anger or self-interest?

Application Questions

1. Think about a relationship or sphere where you have influence (family, work, friends, church, etc.). What would it look like for you to “spend and be spent” for the good of others, as Paul describes? Is there a specific area where you sense God calling you to sacrifice comfort, resources, or reputation for someone else’s growth?
2. Paul’s love for the Corinthians was not dependent on their gratitude or response. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love or who hasn’t responded to your kindness? How might you continue to love generously, even if it’s not reciprocated?
3. When have you experienced being misunderstood for doing the right thing, like Paul was? How did you respond, and what would it look like to let your character be your defense rather than trying to justify yourself?
4. Is there a situation where you need to confront someone about a harmful behavior or sin, but you’ve been hesitant? What would it look like to approach that conversation with humility and a desire for their restoration, rather than out of frustration or a need to be right?
5. The sermon challenges us to expect and encourage Christlike leadership from those who lead us. Is there a leader in your life (church, work, family) who needs encouragement or gentle accountability to lead more sacrificially or with greater integrity? How could you approach that conversation in a way that is loving and respectful?
6. Paul’s example shows that leadership is not about benefiting from others, but about being a benefit to them. Are there ways you’ve been tempted to use your influence for your own gain? What is one step you can take this week to shift your focus toward serving others?
7. The reputation of Jesus is at stake in how his followers live and lead. What is one area of your life where you want to better reflect Christ’s character, knowing that others may form their opinion of Jesus based on your actions?