April 12, 2015
Evening Service

This morning Paul began to examine the topic of eating things offered to idols.  We found out it is not our knowledge that needs to guide us in this matter, but it is our love for God and for our brothers.  It may seem as we begin chapter 9 that Paul changes the subject, but in fact he just gives a personal example of his own self-denial for the good of others as he asked us to do in chapter 8.  It becomes obvious that he has people who have criticized his ministry. 

1Co 9:1-2 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?  (2)  If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

·         Apparently he was criticized because he was not one of the original twelve apostles.  He defends himself in that he had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus and the people of Corinth were in fact the “seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”

·         Paul now expounds upon the rights of one who serves in ministry within the church.

 

1Co 9:3-14  My answer to those who examine me is this:  (4)  Do we not have authority to eat and to drink?  (5)  Do we not have authority to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord do, and Cephas?  (6)  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no authority whether not to work?  (7)  Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?  (8)  Do I say these things according to man? Or does not the Law say the same also?  (9)  For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox threshing grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?  (10)  Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? It was written for us, so that he who plows should plow in hope, and so that he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.  (11)  If we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your material things?  (12)  If others are a partaker of this authority over you, rather should not we? But we have not used this authority, but we endured all things lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  (13)  Do you not know that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And those attending the altar are partakers with the altar.  (14)  Even so, the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

·         Paul presents a convincing argument that the leaders of the spiritual aspects of the church should have their material needs met by the church.  He uses the examples of a soldier, a vineyard worker, a shepherd and an ox treading the grain.  Each of these is compensated for the work they do by being allowed to partake of the fruits of their labors.

 

 

·         This is where Paul then shows his own self-denial.  After proving he should have received compensation, he then states in verse 12 that he chose not to invoke that right.  He chose rather to work and support himself so the gospel message would not in any way be hindered.

 

1Co 9:15-17  But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it is good for me rather to die than that anyone nullify my glorying.  (16)  For though I preach the gospel, no glory is to me. For necessity is laid on me; yea, woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel!  (17)  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I am entrusted with a stewardship.

·         Preaching the gospel is not a job to Paul, nor should it be of any minister.  It is a calling that cannot be denied.  “Woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel.”

·         This brings to mind Jesus talking to the woman at the well.  He was tired from His journey and needed food and rest, yet He was compelled to engage this woman in a life changing conversation.  It was with Jesus as it is with Paul; it is not what He does it is who He is.  The message is there and has to come out.

 

1Co 9:18-23 What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.  (19)  For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself servant to all, so that I might gain the more.  (20)  And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain the Jews. To those who are under the Law, I became as under the Law, so that I might gain those who are under the Law.  (21)  To those who are outside Law, I became as outside Law (not being outside law to God, but under the Law to Christ), so that I might gain those who are outside Law.  (22)  To the weak I became as the weak, so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some.  (23)  And this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I might be partaker of it with you.

·         This is a wonderful and powerful summary of his ministry.  “I have become all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some.”  There is no avenue Paul will not use or any effort to great to connect with someone and be able to share the gospel message.

·         How about us?  Are we okay with sharing as long as it is a convenient time or place?  Are we okay as long as the people we minister to are a certain type?  Are we even looking to share the love of God with others?

·           God please help us to be ready at all times and available to all people to share the message of the saving grace of our Lord and Savior.

 

1Co 9:24-27 Do you not know that those running in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run in such a way that you may obtain it.  (25)  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.  (26)  So then I run, not as if I were uncertain. And so I fight, not as one who beats the air.  (27)  But I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

·         The Christian life is a journey or as Paul says here a race.  To run a race it takes great effort, self -denial and a strong mindset.  There are times that you have to ignore the physical pain you feel by keeping your eyes focused on the finish line.

·         This in no way is suggesting we are competing for our salvation.  We are striving to fulfill all God has called us to become for Him.  No pain, no gain.  Much effort, great reward.  Nothing venture, nothing gained.

·         Strive in your race of life to finish strong.  Don’t be walking as you break the tape at the end, but be running full speed ahead.  We compete for the One who gave everything for us.  Doesn’t He deserve our best effort?

 

Lord, may we run our race of life with the determination to win.