Free to be Bound

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Summary Statement

1 & 2 Corinthians are two of the letters sent by Paul to a church that he planted in Corinth. The Corinthian church was plagued with division, sexual misconduct and confusion, vengeful lawsuits against fellow Christians, disagreements about men’ and women’s roles in the church, spiritual gifting, and blatant heresy. Paul writes to them with the intention to lead them to faithfulness in the Lord amidst their issues.

In our text this morning, Paul is dealing with a larger thought

- By Chapter 9, Paul has addressed many of these issues. He then begins to describe for the Corinthians his understanding of freedom.

- At the end of Chapter 8 Paul affirms that he would give up his right to eat or drink what he wanted if he was going to tempt or make another brother stumble in sin.

- He then begins Chapter 9 by asking the question, “Am I not free?”

Illustration of Freedom During College

He then resumes this thought in verse 19.

He then resumes this thought in verse 19.

He then resumes this thought in verse 19.

- He resumes this thought in verse 19.

“Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.” (v. 19)

Paradox of Freedom

- Paradox is when two things appear to contradict but actually don’t.

- Paul experienced the freedom in Christ and responded by making himself bound to the task of introducing others to freedom in Christ

- Freedom has a purpose. We were not only saved from something but we were saved for something.

Three Fundamental Truths Paul proclaims in verse 19.

1. Recognize your FREEDOM in Christ (19 a)

When Paul says free from all, what does he have in mind??

- Freedom from the penalty of sin (4)

- Freedom from the penalty of sin ()

“And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” -- (CSB)

The penalty of sin is death, but Christ made us alive. He erased the certificate of debt — including its obligations. He did this by being nailed to the cross.

Paul uses legal terms to describe how the debt we accrued by our sin has been erased (atoned for) by Jesus on the cross. WE ARE FREE FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN.

- Freedom from the stain of sin ()

“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” -- (CSB)

We used to be like this — But we were washed in the name of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. WE ARE FREE FROM THE STAIN OF OUR SIN.

- Freedom from the bondage of sin ()

- Freedom from the bondage of sin ()

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin.” -- (CSB)

We are no longer enslaved to sin. WE ARE FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN.

2. Recognize your RESPONSIBILITY in Christ (19 b)

- People talk about what is important to them.

Russells Marina Grill’s Mac and Cheese

- If the Gospel is true, then it must get to the masses.

The gospel says that people need to be saved from sin — and the only way to be saved is through repentance and faith in Christ. If that is true.... then the messgage must get out!

- Paul felt a sense of godly obligation that led him to live as one bound to the task of the proclamation of the gospel

3. Recognize the NEED for Christ (19 c)

“In order to win more people.” This was an attitude recognizing there was a need for the Gospel!

- 88% of NOLA does not know Christ

- USA is the fourth largest un-churched nation in the World

- 3.13 Billion un-reached people in the World (41% of the World Population)

I was inspired by a movie recently, and I think its relevant to this discussion. It is called Hacksaw ridge and it chronicles the life of a man named Desmond Doss who wanted to serve in the Army but refused to carry a weapon and work on his Sabbath because it conflicted with what he believed God was calling him to do. The army almost kicked him out but conceded and allowed him to be a medic

What method did Paul use when evangelizing the lost?

Paul humbly adopted the same condition of those whom he ministered.

He became a Jew to the Jews, as one under the law to those under the law, as one without the law to those without the law, as one who is weak to those who are weak.

He would intentionally immerse himself in the “way of life” of those he was trying to reach with the gospel

Example of Paul taking 39 lashes five times (2 Corinthians 11)

He would not compromise the Gospel message or his identity in Christ

This passage does not encourage believers to participate in ungodly activities for the sake of the gospel.

This method of evangelism requires: investigation and immersion

“I have become all things to all people, to that I may by every possible means save some.” ()

Let that be our attitude. That we were relentless to get the gospel to those who desperately need it.

This is the same Model Christ used — he humbled himself and took on the attitude of a servant and became man. He didn’t need to investigate because he knows everything about us, but he immersed himself among mankind.

Christ came to us — he adopted our same condition and lived a sinless life, died a sinners death for us, removing the debt of sin. Then, he rose in victory on the third day!

Application

- Dwell on your freedom in Christ – that is your identity

- Accept your responsibility in Christ – the Gospel is true

- Be burdened with the reality of those who do not know Jesus

- Adopt the “1 More” mindset

- Commit to investigate and immerse yourself for the sake of the Gospel

- Don’t waste your freedom — you were not just saved from something but for something

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