To Be, or Not To Be, Pt. 2
1 Corinthians: Order in the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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What is our role in liberty regarding our brethren?
Recap
Chapter 8 dealt with eating meat offered to idols and what to do in that situation
Chapter 9 began with Paul using himself as an illustration on how we ought to behave regarding our brethren.
Liberty = limits, not limitless
Finishing our outline from a few weeks ago:
What Rights he CHOSE not to exercise 1-14
Why he CHOSE not to exercise them 15-18
Which rights he CHOSE to exercise 19-27
Tonight we focus on points 2-3
Why He CHOSE not to Exercise Them v. 15-18
Why He CHOSE not to Exercise Them v. 15-18
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Again the affirmation that he willingly refused to exercise his apostolic authority
He reminds the church again that he is not writing to receive support, in fact he would rather die than to receive support from this church
Why?
Why?
So that he might not be accused of preaching the gospel for monetary gain.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
He wasn’t preaching to get glory for himself, but to bring glory to God.
Necessity = “to be constrained”
Preaching the gospel was needful for Paul, in fact, he would have been most miserable if he had refused to preach it!
Reward:
Reward:
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
His reward was to willingly preach the gospel.
Reward = to pay for a service - a wage
Being able to preach willingly was Paul’s pay.
What if he would have preached unwillingly? He would have been most miserable, because a “dispensation of the gospel” was commited unto him.
Dispensation = administration.
The word refers to a steward/servant placed over a master’s household affairs.
What then was Paul’s reward?
To preach without charge, literally for free. Failure to do so he considered and abuse of his power/authority
Which Rights He CHOSE To Exercise v. 19-27
Which Rights He CHOSE To Exercise v. 19-27
He exercised service to others v. 19-21
He exercised service to others v. 19-21
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Paul is the example of humility
Christ Himself put a towel around His waist and washed the feet of the disciples
We should have the heart of a servant!
More often than not we are more concerned with what people can do for us, and not what we can do for them.
Don’t be confused here...
Don’t be confused here...
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
This does not mean he reverted back to the law, but rather referred to his practice of going after the Jews. His habit was going to the synagogue first to preach to the Jews. He had a burden for the Jews, Romans 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
It is important to note that Paul did not alter his message, simply his method.
His approach to the Gentiles was similar...
His approach to the Gentiles was similar...
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Notice this verse does not say Paul lived a licentious lifestyle like the Gentiles to reach them, He always kept himself under the “moral law” of God in obedience to Christ.
He exercised a responsibility to others v. 22-23
He exercised a responsibility to others v. 22-23
1 Corinthians 9:22–23 (KJV 1900)
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Paul was always aware of the weaker brother in his midst…so should we!
Here is the misunderstood portion of this verse:
“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some”
The gospel doesn’t discriminate, why do we?
Paul closes with an illustration of an athlete
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Many people run in races, but only one can win
If you are going to run the race of life for the glory of God, do it as though you intend to win!
Those who run in these races are temperate:
Temperate = self-control
Paul is saying that we need to exercise our liberty properly, and in doing so keep our weaker brothers in mind. Especially when you consider we are “running” for eternity!
Paul was not running as “uncertainly”.
“Uncertainly” = not aimlessly, but with a goal in mind.
His goal? To win as many people to Christ as he possibly could!
“Not as one that beateth the air” is not talking about “shadow boxing”, but rather to missed blows during a boxing match
Rope-a-dope…Muhammed Ali
What was Paul saying? Everything Paul did was calculated and articulate, you might say he counted the cost.
Paul’s life purpose:
Paul’s life purpose:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul understood the necessity of controlling the desires of his flesh in order to minister to others.
He did not want to become a “castaway”
“Castaway” = to be disapproved of.
He did not want to be a hypocrite, preaching to others “Deny your flesh” while he did not practice what he preached.
Take Away:
Take Away:
Always be mindful of your brethren
Always be mindful the world is watching
Always be mindful of yourself
Always be mindful of God