For the Gospel's Sake

“For the Gospel’s Sake”

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

What is the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 15:1 NKJV

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Why is the Gospel important?

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The Gospel provides salvation and enables sanctification:

Romans 6:11–18 NKJV

11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 NKJV

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

The Gospel bridges the gap between sinful man and a Holy God!

1. A Willing EXCHANGE(1) (v. 19)

A. Liberty (free from all men)

Physically, Paul was a free-born citizen of Rome!

Spiritually, Paul was a born-again follower of Christ!

B. Limitations (made myself servant)

Paul willingly limited his rights seeing the big picture!

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

2. A Wide EMBRACE (2) (vv.20-22)

1 Corinthians 9:20–22 NKJV

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Paul knew that all men needed the Gospel. His reach was wide because he saw people as individuals in need of Christ!

A. For the nationally cultured (to the Jew)

Those who are politically or socially different than you.

B. For the religiously costumed (them that are under the law)

Those who believe different than you religiously.

C. For the naturally comfortable (them that are without law)

Those who think they are fine with where they are at.

D. For the offendable conscience (to the weak)

Those who are offended easily.

Paul was not guaranteed that everyone he reached out to would accept the truth, but he was willing to try!

3. A Wonderful ENDEAVOR (3) (v. 23)

A. Of personal significance (the Gospel’s sake)

The Gospel had made a personal difference in Paul’s life!

-1 Corinthians 11:23 – “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you…”

-1 Corinthians 15:3 – “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received”

-1 Corinthians 9:16 – “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!”

B. Of practical selflessness (partaker thereof with you)

Paul’s concern for the lost was greater than his concern for self. He saw the brevity of life as an opportunity!

Conclusion:

Have you personally accepted the Gospel as your only means of salvation?

Are you passionately living life for the Gospel’s sake?