Gospel Priority 1 Cor 9
Gospel Priority • Sermon • Submitted
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· 11 viewsWith the gospel of Christ as our priority, we place no obstacle in the way of others.
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Declaration of our independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
Constitution - Bill of Right: Bear arms- free speech - etc…
We are hard wired to live as freedom and rights as our guiding principles
But read these first as a Christian and not merely as American
Which right is preeminent; my rights as an American or my rights as a Christian
What freedoms are the most precious, my freedom as an American or my freedom in Christ
Freedom and Rights
“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
If Freedom is our highest good love is not.
If love was our highest good would we have slaughtered the Indians and enslaved the Africans?
We are in need of a lesson from Paul today
Main idea: With the gospel of Christ as our priority, we place no obstacle in the way of others.
1 cor 8 recap - Two people: The “mature” and the “weak” - trying to live life together
The mature - knowledgable about Theology and paganism and most likely wealth = elitist attitude
The weak - new believers coming from a pagan background = sensitive attitude/conscience
Ex: There’s a party at temple
!
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 Cor 8: 9-13
Knowledge is good but is incomplete without love
In the preceding chapter the apostle had urged the strong that it was their duty to sacrifice their rights for the sake of their weaker brothers.
Now he shows he had acted practiced what he preached
v. 10 -Will my actions cause my brother and sister to fall back into an old sinful habit or lifestyle?
Paul’s example of his right - Paul’s sacrifice of those right - Paul’s priority of the gospel
In America, our freedoms include the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” You have heard the songs lyrics: “the land of the free” and “let freedom ring.” Freedom is our highest good.
Paul is showing that true freedom in the lord will produce surprising results
Paul’s Example -vv.1-12
Paul’s Example -vv.1-12
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. 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? 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? 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.
Paul’s Status: Apostle - v. 1-3
Paul’s Status: Apostle - v. 1-3
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.
Rhetorical questions w/ obvious answers - Paul is not primarily defending his apostleship he is presuming it with the Corinthians
Paul therefore establishes first that he is no less free, ἐλεύθερος, than “the strong” or other believers.
As free as they are - Paul therefore establishes first that he is no less free, ἐλεύθερος, than “the strong” or other believers.
An Authentic Apostle - my proof -You!
A seal was important in an age when many could not read. The impress of a seal in clay, wax, or the like, was a mark of ownership.
The church at Corinth directly resulted from Paul’s ministry ()
V.3 - “Defense” and “Evaluate” - Both the terms used here, sit in judgment and defense, are forensic terms.
V.3 - “Defense” and “Evaluate” - Paul is discussing personal legal rights Paul had already pointed out their inability to make good judgements - 2:14-15; 4:3-5
Paul had already pointed out their inability to make good judgements - 2:14-15; 4:3-5
An illustration
- The church is:
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Paul’s Right:support - v. 4-12a
Paul’s Right:support - v. 4-12a
Continues with rhetorical questions
Paul’s principle right: Rewarded for his labor
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?
The right (exousia) was used of the (where see note).
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
It is the right to abstain from vocational working, to be supported by the church.
Having proved his apostleship, he proves his right to be supported, and then shows that he had not availed himself of that right.
It affirms rather the right to take a believing wife along on apostolic journeys, that is to say, a married apostle is entitled to take his wife with him at the church’s expense.
It affirms rather the right to take a believing wife along on apostolic journeys, that is to say, a married apostle is entitled to take his wife with him at the church’s expense.
That Peter was married is clear from and .
Paul’s illustration -
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?
Before Paul reached his point, however, he builds his case even more strongly.
1. Does any soldier serve at his own expense? No.
2. Do farmers eat from their produce? Yes.
3. Do shepherds drink milk from their flocks? Yes.
All were fed from their occupation.
His first argument is from the universally recognized principle that labor is entitled to reward.
logical and scriptural
Paul’s argument 1 :
OT teaches this principle -
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.
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? 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.
The passage quoted is found in
4 “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
- For our sake?
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.
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
- And if the benefits that we bring you are spiritual—such as knowledge, faith, hope—the fruits of the Spirit, and are therefore of infinite value, is it too much that we should derive material things from you—things necessary for the support of the body?
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.
17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Ex: we like to keep our pastor humble or honest. Scripture says you are treating them the way you do not want to be treated.
The obvious conclusion: Men who labor in the word have the right to be supported by the local church. (Tensions and abuse: Not the point! This is an example that’s conclusion is assumed in the argument and backed up in Scripture.)
Paul’s sacrifice - vv.12b-18
Paul’s sacrifice - vv.12b-18
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.
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.
Paul willingly sacrifice his right for the gospel sake
Paul willingly sacrifice his right for the gospel sake
- v.12b-18
- v.12b-18
V.12b - We endure - to put with something that is unpleasant or difficult
Paul’s word for “immaterial obstacle” or hindrance is unusual (here only in the New Testament).
Ex: Cutting a large tree across the road. It hinders you from forward progress it must be gone around or removed in order to continue.
Paul’s argument 2 - next step - We did not use our rights
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?
Paul’s illustration: Temple service & the Priest. Get their food from the temple. That is, they derive their support from the temple.
- Pauls argument 2 proof: Jesus’ commands (1st OT now Jesus himself)
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
As God had ordained under the Old Testament, so also the Lord (that is, Christ) had ordained under the New.
Christ has made the same ordinance respecting the ministers of the Gospel that God made concerning the priests of the law.
May relate to order given by Christ to the 12 or 72 when he sent them out on mission &
The laborer deserve his food -
9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
The command is for the benefit of the missionary
V. 15 - Paul’s climax
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. 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.
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.
The sentence is made more emphatic as it return to them first person singular
perfect tense - this is his continuing action
This is a high emotional climax he fails to complete his sentence
the phrase I would rather die than is an incomplete exclamation that is interrupted by the statement “No one will deprive me of this boast.” On occasion Paul could not complete sentences because his emotions overcame him
In a church where bad theology and power plays were all to common Paul believe to take money would impeded the gospel
The good boast - ;
24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
He would never allow anyone to deprive him of the boast that he preached voluntarily—it was his reason for living.
In a church where bad theology and power plays were all to common Paul believe to take money would impeded the gospel
- Pauls compulsion: I must - I am commissioned - I am a steward
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.
- Paul’s temporal reward: Paul’s temporal reward is simply to see the gospel be received free of charge
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.
Simply the joy of doing and finishing the task entrusted to him is in itself its own reward.
Paul’s Priority - vv.19-23
Paul’s Priority - vv.19-23
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. 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.
- The life governing principle: That more be won for Christ
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
Secrets of Life together!
I am free and belong to no man. In the ancient world, a slave had little freedom.
- do not be slaves to the will of men!
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
Masters dictated most of what their slaves did.
Nevertheless, Paul voluntarily made himself a slave to everyone. (In a particular sense)
He gave up his rights to his own preferences in order to serve other people.
He did this to win as many as possible, to further the kingdom of Christ.
I might win - in what sense - primarily conversion or growth?
Paul’s priority: to win
Paul’s Life Principle: the salvation of mankind -
Paul’s Life Principle: the salvation of mankind -
Ex: Everybody gets a trophy! What? More later!
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. 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.
Three groups: Jews, Gentiles & the Weak
Life together: Clothing, holidays, eating habits, religious traditions, family practices, etc.
There were often very different between Jews and Gentiles
We have segregated the church when the beauty of our church is our diversity.
Ex: A hillbilly and a yankee - very different cultures, traditions, language
It was cute until we started living life together!
Jews: he cared so much about the Jewish community that he observed their customs and laws when he was with them so the gospel might take root in them.
Gentiles: Likewise, when with Gentiles who did not observe the laws of Scripture, Paul conformed his outward behavior to theirs in many ways, but he did not stray into paganism.
Likewise, when with Gentiles who did not observe the laws of Scripture, Paul conformed his outward behavior to theirs in many ways, but he did not stray into paganism.
Ex: Sharing the gospel or discipling a young person who is very passionate about our environment.
Sea turtles?! Really?!
Is it an issue of salvation that they care about the plight of sea turtles?
No! It’s a good thing to care for sea turtles. so affirm it and use it as a gospel bridge and do not make it a barrier.
Pauls priority: to be All things to all people in order to win them.
The weak:
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.
Is this a case of conversation or growth: Growth - win = to make profitable - gaining
This is the heart of all that he’s said.
They had not learnt that ‘Freedom is not licence to do what I want, but liberation to do what I ought’ (Green , p. 94)
What ought I do? To win the lost and see them grow to completion in Christ.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Participation: The blessing that the gospel confers and all its promises.
We get to enjoy the Lord and all his promises together!
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
So What?
What is your Life governing principle?
My Freedom - My Rights - My Growth
Am I living the way I live for the sake of the gospel?
Ex: Our family and games
So that the lost might be saved
No opt our of playing in THE GAME
So that the saved might grow to full maturity lacking nothing.
Paul’s Life Purpose - V.24-27 - To fulfil his call and to gain a crown that is imperishable
Paul point is that we willing sacrifice good things, rightful things so that more will be saved and all might grow.
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. 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.
The Olympic games - Athletic contests were common in the Greek world, and the Isthmian Games, second only to the Olympic Games, were held every two years at Corinth. Paul often uses imagery from the Games
V.24 - all the runners run only one wins
To win, to lose or to not play
Ex: Our family and games - half the family enjoys games the other half don’t
My concern: Is that we may be running in the right race the wrong way -only one winner
Paul’s Life Purpose - V.24-27 - To fulfil his call and to gain a crown that is imperishable
Four takeaways from a well lived life:
Live intentionally - Paul had a purpose and made plans to accomplish it.
Let’s Go handout - (Show it)
Live precisely - v.26 - I always hit what I aim for
To live without purpose- to shoot with no target
Who’s Your One? Intentionally - persistent - patient - strategic
Live a disciplined life -v.25
Ex: Rocky movie
Men competed in these game without clothes - nothing impeding their performance
The athlete denies himself many lawful pleasures and the Christian must similarly avoid not only definite sin, but anything that hinders spiritual progress.
Wed Equip: Why would you come or not come? Your growth or others growth?
Live this life in light of the next
Am I living the way I live for the sake of the gospel?
So that the lost might be saved
So that the saved might grow in Chrsit
So that the saved might grow
The Best a person could win at the games was a wreath the died in a week.
Paul says I have an eternal reward -
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The end of the declaration of Ind:
o And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
History tells us that’s exactly what it cost them!
The question for us today is what are we willing to give up and pursue for the sake of gospel growth in the lives of others.
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.