Paul corrects the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 4 because they were “puffed up,” thinking they were capable of determining the value or worth of God’s servants. They had forgotten that Paul and Apollos and others were God’s servants, not theirs, and they answered to God, not them (notice the recurring theme of receiving their reward from God in the three analogies in chapter 3). With three rhetorical questions, Paul shows the folly and presumption of judging that way because everything we have, we have received from God (cf. 3:5, 10). “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7).

Our city is no longer under the official lockdown, but we continue limping along at half speed, trying to comply with the latest regulations and figuring out what we are able to do. It was great after three and a half weeks stuck in our apartment to be able to get outside to walk and run and enjoy the beauty around us. We have had a few opportunities to meet up with church people, and that has been a blessing, but mainly our communication is just digital: video calls, online Bible studies, and recording messages and music.

Our teammates the Flincks are back in the United States on furlough, and we were able to help our other teammates Pastor Andrés and his wife, Cle, move into their house to housesit while they are gone. That meant some time with one-year-old Agustín, who will be a big brother in the next few weeks! Pray for Andrés and Cle and the safe arrival of the little one.

Our weakness in the face of worldwide shutdowns, illness, and constantly changing plans reminds us that we have nothing of which to boast. We’re reminded not to glory in men (1  Cor 3:21), but instead, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31).

This is our June 2020 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.