1 Cor 9:1-27

1 Corinthians 9:1–3 ESV

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.

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1 Corinthians 9:4–5 ESV

4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

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1 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

1 Cor 9.6

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PRAY:

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Intro:

Is it not, unpleasant, when the alarm goes off, before you are ready to get up?

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Yet, we do it.. We pull ourselves out of that wonderful bed..

And oppose everything that is w/in us..

To get moving.. and to get where we need to be.

Our body cries out:

“More sleep!”

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But, responsibility, principle and reason..

.. pull us to our feet, in spite of how we feel.

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Is it not, unpleasant, when the dessert menu comes out..

And, like Pavlov’s dog, you begin to drool..

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Yet, you turn it away..

Because you know.. it’s not on your menu..

You’ve made that commitment to a health conscience diet..

And caramel fudge sundaes are not part of it..

You’re drooling.. you’re desiring it.. you’re hungering for it..

You body cries out:

“Let’s eat it!”

But, responsibility, principle and reason..

.. they enable us to say.. “No thank you.”

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The examples go on an on..

You know the scenarios..

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You know, the unpleasantries of sacrifice..

You know, the disappointment of choosing that which is responsible..

.. over, that which is pleasurable...

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You’ve considered the ramifications..

And you’ve forsaken that which is your right to do..

In exchange, for that which is more profitable.

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This way of thinking comes to us slowly as we grow up. ++

Infants and toddlers don’t face their desires with this process of thought.

They don’t engage thoughts of speculations and weigh the benefits.

They simply… don’t think: ++

The two year old doesn’t reason…

“If I nap for two hours now, I’ll be much happier from 3pm till bedtime..

But if I don’t sleep, and I forgo my nap..

I’ll get what I want now..

But I’ll be grumpy and unmanageable the rest of the day..

And that’s fun for nobody.” ++

Infants and toddlers don’t do that.

They respond.. only, to their immediate desire.

That’s why we, as parents, are instructed to train our children..

To provide that structure and that discipline that they need..

We need to be the reasonable ones.. ++

They will cry for food and affection constantly..

But we will establish a schedule for them..

And by doing so, we will give their lives structure.. – ++

On their own, they don’t want structure..

They can’t fathom the benefits of sacrifice..

But we, the grown ups.. “We understand!” ++

And by giving them what they need..

By forcing them into a healthy and reasonable routine..

By.. “training them”…

Our child will benefit on the other end..

And they will be happier..

They will be more independent..

They will be nourished and well rested. ++

Instead of being trained by our children.. we should be “training” our children..

Because we understand the benefits of sacrifice..

We know.. that it is often times.. wiser, and more reasonable..

To go against our personal cries for pleasure..

And do instead.. that which is wise. ++

In the physical world.. we all grow up.. and gain these understandings..

But in the spiritual world..

We enter into some different ways of thinking.. ++

In the world.. we’re looking out for “us and ours”..

But spiritually, our thoughts and our intents..

Take a focus that is more beneficial..

To others…

A focus.. that is more pleasing..

To God. ++

Many of us, have seen this process take place in our own hearts..

When we became a Xtain.. we still pretty much thought the same way..

It was still.. about me.. about my gain.. about my security.. about my wants.. ++

But, for those of us who have allowed the H.S. to work..

For those of us who have read His Words of Wisdom..

And have learned them..

Well, we’ve begun to think in a different manner. ++

Spiritually, we start out, like the infants and the toddlers..

We don’t comprehend the spiritual benefits of sacrifice..

But, like a parent, the H.S. leads us into a place of instruction..

And teaches us to see, that which is so different to our nature.. ++

The world teaches us to keep.. to hoard.. to enrich..

But the Bible teaches us, to give. ++

The world teaches us to look out for number one..

But the Bible teaches us.. to look out for others. ++

Essentially the lesson is this:

The world, has us looking at ourselves..

But God, would have us looking to Him, for the benefit of others.. ++

And we might ask: “What about me? What about my needs? What about my security?”

And of such a thing.. God has already made provision. ++

Maybe you recall the story of Samuel’s mother, Hannah.

For years, she cried in despair, because she wanted to give her husband a son..

But, when she cried out.. to the Lord.. and expressed her pledge..

To give her son… to God.... ++

That’s when.. she conceived.. ++

It’s the principle that Jesus taught us..

Don’t worry about: eat, drink, what you’ll wear..

… seek first…… ++

The wisdom of our flesh is this..

I need to labor first, to get what I need.. ++

But the wisdom of God is this..

I need to focus first on Him..

And by doing so, I won’t have to worry about my needs..

Because He’ll take care of them. ++

In chapter 8.. Paul taught the Corinthians this lesson..

Stop thinking first, about your rights, or your privileges.. ++

Think first, about your brother.. your sister..

And be considerate and loving of them.. ++

And if that means you sacrifice your right..

Then you sacrifice it… ++

As we grow.. we begin to see a distinction.. in the spiritual realm..

Between, our wants.. and our needs.. ++

But I don’t care about her wants.. nearly as much, as I care about her “needs”..

Spiritually, I don’t want to put myself in the back of the line..

We want things for us..

But God doesn’t care about our wants.. nearly as much, as He cares about our needs.. ++

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And as a believer.. “I need to grow in Him.. “

I need to learn more about Him..

I need to consider the benefit of others before myself..

I need to be generous..

I need to be seeking to glorify Him, in all things. ++

And if we are growing.. spiritually..

And if we are growing.. spiritually..

The things we originally practiced.. obediently.. and w/unpleasantness..

They become.. things we need to do..

Because our needs have changed..

From our glory.. to God’s. ++

This is the heart of Paul’s lesson.. as he calls the church in Corinth to grow on to a place of maturity..

to make that transition.. from self focus.. to God focus..

That’s what the message in chapter 8 was all about.. ++

And it continues.. into chapter nine.. ++

In chapter 8 he told them, be considerate of your brother’s convictions.. and do not offend them by practicing your liberty.. ++

Then, in chapter nine..

Paul gives his own testimony..

There have been disputes.. about Paul’s authenticity..

Some have said.. that he is not truly an Apostle..

Therefore, he shouldn’t be supported as one. ++

To this crowd, Paul will cater in his ministry.

In some places, Paul will receive support..

For in those places.. there are not those who dispute his calling..

Yet in other places.. Paul would not receive support..

For there, he was disputed.. ++

So this is Paul’s example..

He first defends his position as an apostle..

And teaches.. that those who minister for the Lord.. should receive their wages.. from those to whom they minister.. ++

So, He claims the right of his position, and the right to receive support..

But then, expresses his own conviction.. ++

For the sake of those who take offense..

He will not receive that support..

Instead, he will work w/his own hands.. and support the work of his ministry… ++

Why? Because he wants to be profitable in ministering to people..

He wants to minister, w/the same conviction as an athlete..

He wants to focus on the things that will get him to the finish line..

As a winner..

And not on the things.. he can enjoy along the way.

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1 Corinthians 9:1–2 ESV

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

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The word apostle simply means.. “sent one”.

You’ve been given a commission, and you’re sent out to fulfill it. ++

In the early church, the title was held only to those who were sent out, in person, by Jesus.

And since Paul was not there, as a believer, being sent out by Jesus.. along w/the others..

Many in the church, disputed him. ++

Yet, Paul recites his testimony..

That is was Jesus who sent him out..

Who met him on that road to Damascus.

Who gave him a commission, to carry the gospel to the Gentiles..

And.. who sent him out.. to fulfill this commission. ++

Paul is not a man who is puffed up with a title..

In his writings, we see a man who is willing to humble himself over and over again for the sake of the gospel.. ++

He’s not a man who lauded himself and demanded great honorariums for his sermons..

Instead.. he tanned hides.. and worked w/leather…

And yet.. over and over again..

He addresses himself, as an apostle.. ++

Many times, even defending the title to his critics.. ++

In our modern day.. when someone is continually addressing themselves according to their titles..

and defending them..

it’s generally, an affection to the title..

It’s generally, a thing of pride.. or a hunger for respect. ++

But for Paul.. such was not the case..

Here was a man who greatly endeared the testimony of his:

Conversion.. and his calling.

That which Jesus gave to him.. was precious.. ++

And when Paul defended the title “Apostle”

He wasn’t defending a title..

He was defending a privilege, a gift and a calling that was given to him by Jesus.. ++

He was commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles. ++

In the ministry, you occasionally run into those who want the title..

++In the ministry, you occasionally run into those who want the title..

They ask for ordination, because they want to carry the title of: “pastor”..

Yet, if I were not: teaching, overseeing and involved in the shepherding of a flock..

I wouldn’t use the term for myself.. ++

It doesn’t matter if I have a piece of paper saying that I am a pastor..

It’s not a title..

It’s.. a calling..

And if it’s not being fulfilled..

There’s no need for me to use it. ++

And yet, I’ve met many people..

.. who just wanted the title.. for the sake of having the title. ++

Folks.. in the Lord.. there are no titles..

There are only callings.

What is an elder?

Is that just a title?

No.. it’s a calling.. it’s one who lives their life to a high standard of spiritual discipline..

… It’s one who places themself in a position of servanthood and leadership to other believers.. ++

What is a deacon?

Is it just a title?

No.. it’s calling..

It’s one who lives their life to a high standard of spiritual discipline..

it’s on who focuses on the physical needs of the ministry..

Who takes ownership of the many tasks that are seen as being menial.. ++

What is an apostle?

Is it just a title?

No.. it’s a calling..

It’s one who has been given a calling by the Lord..

And has been sent out to fulfill that calling.

A title is merely a description.. of something that God has given you.. ++

God gave Paul.. the calling of an apostle..

And he defended that gift.. repeatedly.

Some might refute my title..

Because I didn’t subject myself to seminary.. I didn’t get my masters of divinity.. I haven’t achieved a phd.. ++

Our world looks upon titles.. as rewards..

You fulfill all these regiments.. and you will gain the title..

Paul didn’t do anything.. but call Jesus Lord. ++

I don’t need the title. You can use it when you talk to me… or you not… it’s up to you..

I reject the “reverend” title..

For there is only One who is revered.

The term.. hey, no big deal to me..

But the calling? That’s something that God gave me. ++

He’s entrusted a pretty big thing to me..

I didn’t fulfill any regiments to gain this calling..

I was a common knucklehead..

And God gave me this massive gift.

To equip the saints, for the work of the ministry. ++

W/great reluctance I received it.. - I was slow to receive it..

but He continued to extend it to me..

and it’s His to take back whenever He sees fit. ++

But for now, I can understand the heart of Paul.

He knew who he was in the Lord.. and he knew what he possessed in the Lord..

We all have our salvation.. we all have the Word.. we all have the H.S… we all have the answers.. ++

But do we all have our calling?

I say to you.. that the answer is.. “Yes”

It’s more than the big titles.. it’s more than: apostle.. pastor.. elder.. evangelist.. ++

It is for all of us.. first and foremost.. “Christian”

We who are legal residents of this country, are Americans..

But we are not all presidents, or congressmen, or Generals.. or Mayors.. ++

However, as Americans, we have responsibilities.. and instructions..

To obey the laws.. to support our country by paying our taxes.. to be loyal.. to be a benefit. ++

Maybe God didn’t call you into the mission field.. or into the pulpit.. or into that place of leadership…

However.. God did call you into your salvation..

And w/that.. you possess..

Not a title..

But a calling.. a gift.. a responsibility from the Lord..

To live a life.. that is growing in Him..

To have priorities.. that honor Him..

To have actions.. that benefit others… ++

Was Paul “title hungry”.. ?

No way.. Paul held passionately.. to the gift and the responsibility that God gave him. ++

1 Corinthians 9:3–6 ESV

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

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1 Cor 9.3-

1 Corinthians 9:7–11 ESV

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

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Paul speaks directly to those who dispute him.. ++

In their eyes.. it would be inappropriate to support him, if he was not a bonafide apostle. ++

But Paul takes the issue, beyond the ritualistic reasoning..

And looks to the rational reasoning..

Citing these scriptural principles.. Paul declares..

If one is devoting themselves to do the spiritual work..

Then they should receive their wages, from those to whom they minister. ++

As we are called to give our tithes and offerings..

It would be most appropriate..

To make the most significant part of our regular giving..

To the place where we are being fed.. ++

Scripture only calls us to give to the Lord..

As long as it’s given to the Lord.. the physical place here on earth, is of little relevance.. ++

However, the reverse logic from Paul’s argument.. would encourage us..

To give, prominently, where we are being fed. ++

However, this not the context of chapter nine..

it’s not a lesson on giving..

it’s a lesson, from Paul’s heart..

on being effective, for the sake of the gospel.. ++

1 Corinthians 9:12–15 ESV

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

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1 Corinthians 9:16–18 ESV

16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

1 cor 9.

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Here was Paul’s conviction..

He defended his calling.. he defended his right to have his needs met from the ministry..

.. and then, he said, it was his conviction.. to not receive.. from the ministry. ++

Why?

It’s the same argument from chapter 8..

This is just Paul’s personal example.. his.. illustration.. ++

For the sake of those who disputed his title..

For those who would have taken offense, if Paul received a wage from the church..

He denied it.. ++

Why?

He was being considerate, of the convictions.. of his weaker brother…

The one who believed.. that it would be wrong, to compensate, a “Non-Apostle”.. for their ministry. ++

It was not a worry for Paul..

He was single.. he was able to invest himself in a secular labor.. so that he could give a full time service to the church..

… and.. support himself. ++

He had brothers in the Lord, who didn’t see his freedom to receive a wage from the church..

… the same way he did..

And Paul didn’t want to shut the doors on them…

Here’s his reasoning. ++

1 Corinthians 9:19–20 ESV

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.

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1 Corinthians 9:21–23 ESV

21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 cor 9.

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In no way, is Paul saying.. that he will trespass moral law in his attempt to identify.. ++

He’s not getting drunk w/the drunkards, so that he can have a ministry unto them.

He’s not hiring the service of prostitutes..

So he can have a ministry unto them.. ++

No way.. he still declares.. that he’s going to be “unspotted from the world”

However.. as he reaches out do the different types of people..

Who are in different places..

He’s going to be considerate of their convictions..

And be sensitive, to the place where their heart is. ++

These five verses echo again, the message of chapter 8..

Let’s read on. ++

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

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1 cor 9.24-

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 ESV

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 cor 9.

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For many religious people.. who claim Xtianity as their weekly devotion..

For many Christians even, who have not grown into a solid and realistic faith..

This is how the faith is practiced.. ++

… Run the race.. w/uncertainty..

.. fighting.. as one who beats the air..

Going through the motions..

Having the appearance of religious devotion. ++

You’re in the crowd..

You’re moving the right way.. on the right day..

But your run isn’t getting you anywhere..

You’re not landing any of those punches.. ++

Deep down in your heart.. it just doesn’t seem real to you..

Because Sunday afternoon through Sat night..

Bear no reflection of a life that is serving Jesus…. ++

This is how many of our brothers and sisters live out their faith.. ++

it will be motions.. it will be a perpetual state of infancy.. it will be a practice of regrets and penance..

and in the end, when you come into eternity..

and see things as they really are..

you will suddenly realize..

how much you missed out on.. ++

The riches of all eternity.. the peace.. the joy..

These things were given a ceremonial nod once a week, for maybe 2 hours.. ..

While the remaining 170 hours, were spent.. in spiritual defeat. ++

Folks.. this is the slough of despond.. that many of us end up in..

And I’m not here today, to put you down.. or make you feel bad.. or lay on the burden of guilt..

I’m here, only as a voice of encouragement..

To hopefully.. lift you up… ++

Like the doctor that gives you counsel on how to live a more healthy life..

I just want to give you instruction.. on how your life can also be healthy..

Profitable..

And filled w/spiritual success. ++

The more we are nourished.. in His Word.. in the fellowship.. the prayer and the service..

The more, we will experience.. a change in the way we think.. ++

Look at the way Paul was thinking..

He wasn’t thinking about himself.. at all..

His concern.. was for others..

And he took himself.. and his needs, out of the way. ++

How do we change our thinking? ++

We don’t..

We have to let God do it.

We have to be, “transformed, by the renewing of our mind..” ++

Wow.. what an amazing opportunity we have.

To have our minds.. “renewed”.. ++

The engines in our cars get worn out and corrupted..

Our computers get outdated and corrupted..

Our appliances get old and unreliable..

Our minds.. so easily go down a path that is “self” driven..

And by doing so.. they become corrupt.. and worn out.. ++

My mind.. isn’t working.. like Pauls mind..

He’s beyond me..

But.. hopefully, I’m on the path.. ++

Hopefully, this is our desire..

that we would want to grow.. press on.. persevere… and be changed.. for the better.

We’re not giving anything up..

We’re not moving into a place of misery, or unhappiness..

We’re not submitting ourselves to pain and poverty.. ++

These are the lies that we tell ourselves.. that keep us back.

By pressing on w/the Lord.. by having a true intent.. to be profitable.. spiritually..

We won’t be moving into pain, or poverty..

We’ll be moving into: peace! ++

And I don’t know of anybody, who rejects that desire..

May it be our desire.. today.. as we receive His word. ++