Winning Folks To Christ

1 Corinthians 9

“But I want to say, at the very beginning, just put a little preface in, if I can, that what I say today does not have reference to me. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has been extended abundantly to me through the gifts of the people at Friendship Church. I receive far more than I am worthy of and far me than I would ever ask for, and far more than I earn or far more than I deserve. So, this is not in application to me.”

This particular chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter dealing with not being a stumbling block for your brother.n The thought being although eating meat sacrificed to idols is lawful for me to do, it might not always be helpful or useful. Truly, the brother/sister is the weaker if they believe that we are not eat of certain things or to eat of certain things, because we are free in, through, and with Jesus Christ. However, that doesn’t mean we be a hindrance to them.

The motive of the believer is love, we love them in the truth! We do not always know what the reasons are for someone to do or to not do something but the value of that soul is high because it was bought with a price.

Now, Paul gives and example of this very thing, something very practical and also something that was actually happening in his life.

While he gives this example he also reveals something that he got from Jesus Himself, about taking care of the preachers, pastors, missionaries, etc.

We will also learn that this is not something that has to be done, I guess the belief would be that it should be done.

Have I not seen the Lord Jesus Christ???

Acts 1:22 “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Acts 22........“And I said, ‘Lord,” – so, it was in Jerusalem in Acts 22 that Paul was having a little conversation with the Lord. The Lord appeared to him.

The moral of the story is the example of not using our liberty if it offends......Paul is just simply stating that he could ask for help financially or materially, by what Jesus told him, however he does not ask for anything and on top of that he works.......more than likely at night making tents to provide for their needs.

Paying the man of God is reveal in Scripture from Deut. 25:4..........They would chain a stone to an oxen to thresh out the grain, God tells us to not muzzle the ox.....do not let him work for you and not feed him.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Paul did not preach under compulsion......he delivered the Gospel because it was divinely given to him to do so......

Jeremiah was in the same boat, much like all the prophets and apostles....

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Jeremiah 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, Nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, And I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”

So, it was nothing to boast about it of himself!

Paul was not proud of himself in any fashion as far as his abilities

He had no other choice but to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

One other thing on this, what Paul was proud of, what he called his reward was that he took no money for preaching!

It was voluntary! Other than Christ, Paul had somewhat mastered self-denial!