Becoming a Contagious Christian

INTRODUCTION

As we continue our study of Corinthians, today we look at ‘Becoming a Contagious Christian’ taken from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.

Paul in our passage today is talking about our example, our method, our witness and the way in which we live. They way others look at us and the way we look at them.

Remember this section of Paul’s letter has as its main theme:

1 Cor. 8:9

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Paul wanted nothing to interfere with others in their walk of faith

Today, we see that applied to sharing the gospel

HOW DO WE RUN A CONTAGIOUS RACE? HOW DO WE LOOK AT OTHERS THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS?

TEXT 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-27

1 Corinthians 9:19–27 ESV

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 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. 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. 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. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

I. BE CONTAGIOUS BY HAVING A SERVANT’S EYES

So many Christians are not able to be used by God to reach another because they are not prepared and/or willing to look at another’s work through the Eyes of Love that God has enabled them with!

READ VERSE 19

Rom 8:1

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Notice in vs. 19 that while it was not necessary for Paul to please anyone (‘I am free’), he counted himself a ‘servant’ –(word is enslaved and means under bondage)

A. A servant to 3 Types of People:

1 Cor 9: 20-22

1 Corinthians 9:20–22 ESV

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. 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. 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.

20- Whether it be to the Jews (who spent their lives following the Jewish Covenant)

21- Or to the Gentiles (who did not have the law)

22- Or even to the Weak (the Oppressed)

Paul’s Passion for Jesus allowed him to see others through a Servant’s Eyes!

He saw all as the same! They all are lost and in need of the savior

No other distinction is important in this world

He put the burden upon himself, not others

I became all things to all people.

Look at Paul’s passion for reaching people:

Rom 9.3

Romans 9:3 ESV

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

B. BE A SERVANT – FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL!

READ VS. 22b-23

1 Cor 9:22-23

APPLICATION

1. Paul never compromised the gospel BUT the method of presenting the gospel. He adapted his approach to different groups.

This isn’t saying he was fake or used a trick

This points to how Paul adapted his approach for the audience AND genuinely shared Christ

He put aside his preferences and adapted to the customs of the people he was reaching

What did Jesus Do?

- To Nicodemus (the Jewish Pharisee), he talked about being born again (John 3) using scripture.

- To the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4), Jesus talked about the living water. He was flexible in his method so as to reach as many as possible.

This is what Paul is saying.

2. A Christian striving to Become Contagious, works to build bridges and not walls by HAVING A CONTAGIOUS SPIRIT.

One willing to look at another’s world through the Eyes of Love and Compassion – one desiring to build a relationship.

Our methods must change, but our message must always remain the same.

II. BE CONTAGIOUS BY BEING PREPARED!

Many writings in the NT were regarding a Christian’s Race and the Prize surrounding that Race. Paul’s example may be not what you expect! The Corinthians would have been very familiar with the Greek Olympic Games.

THE FOOT RACE

The race was held in an Olympic Stadium that had 3 Solid Stone Pillars (one at beginning, middle and at end). The race would begin at the first pillar and go through the field and to the last pillar and then the runner would turn around and return back to the first pillar.

The pillars were important to the runner because he would fix his eyes upon each pillar as a point of encouragement to push to continue along the race.

READ VS. 24

1 Cor 9:24

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

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.

3 LESSONS FROM THE FOOTRACE

1. The RACE ITSELF (READ Vs. 24)

The word ‘race’ in the GRK is actually ‘race-course’ and represents a specific distance – in this case 606.75 ft.

This was the length of the stadium. Paul is not talking here only about the finish line but the race itself and what is involved in the race.

‘all the runners run but only one gets the prize’

Did the runners drop out of the race once they saw they could not win? No Paul is saying don’t live your life with a low expectation of yourself. ‘Run in such a way as to get the prize’

Like a marathon runner… keep going and finish

APPLICATION

A. Don’t confuse the race with SALVATION. The original word Paul chose in vs. 24 is not ‘race’ but ‘racecourse’. Racecourse means the measuring of a specific distance.

B. Paul is describing the race of winning others to Christ!

The previous section:

a. Vs. 20 ‘I became like a Jew to win the Jews’.

b. Vs. 21 ‘I became like one not having the law so as to win those’

c. Vs. 22 ‘I became weak, to win the weak’.

2. Read Verse 25a – The ATHLETE and his PREPARATION

The words ‘strict training’ illustrate one who ‘exercised self control’.

Training for ten months was required under the direction of trained judges. Abstinence from wine was required and a rigid diet and a standard of habits for an athlete was maintained by requiring the athlete to live in the arena itself.

a. How Do You Prepare to Run the Race?

Paul is making a comparison between the physical race and spiritual race and gives this as his conclusion.

If you want to win the spiritual race, you will have to train just as hard as those who try to win the first place ribbon.

TRAINING INCLUDES:

prayer, studying God’s Word, fellowship with other believers, sharing of your faith.

TRAINING REQUIRES a Contagious Heart, A Contagious Spirit and A Contagious Faith and WE NEED THE CHURCH for this training.

b. What about YOUR Race? Is Something Hindering Your RACE?

Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

In order to win the prize, we must go into strict training!

But what about that prize? WHAT IS THE PRIZE?

III. RUN THE RACE TO RECEIVE THE PRICE!

READ VERSES

1 Cor 9:25

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

A. The PRIZE – The CROWN

The prize of the Olympic Races was an impressive Olive Wreath Crown that had pine leaves or parsley that the winner would place on his head. It Would Not Last! Only good for the time!

1. ‘a crown that will last forever’ Vs. 25b

The key to understanding the PRIZE is the word “RACECOURSE”. The entire chapter has been talking about winning the lost, about changing the method but not the message, about not being a stumbling block to another’s witness.

The CROWN is our REWARD for being GOD’S WITNESS with a CONTAGIOUS SPIRIT so as to WIN the Prize!

AGAIN: Acts 1:8

2. This crown is given to those who PREPARE THEMSELVES for Becoming Contagious for Christ so that they can be used by God in winning the lost and helping to disciple the saved.

B. Do Your Part!

1 Cor 9:26-27

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 ESV

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

You may have a specific calling in a career, or in your life BUT YOU ARE STILL IN THE RACE!

Think about Paul who used himself as an example. Paul Played 2 Parts in the Race of Faith:

1. Paul Was Called To Preach and Disciple the Church

Paul was prepared and knew His Purpose. He did his part and ran with confidence.

But, he also exercised caution realizing his part in this race. He didn’t want to ge so wrapped up in His calling that he forgot he was also in the race!

2. Paul Did not Wish to be Disqualified

Another role of the Herald was to announce one in the race had been ‘disqualified’ from the race and would receive nothing. In Vs. 27, he exercises caution remembering that he too is in the race.

Many people want to say, ‘it’s not my place’, ‘I’m not good enough, etc.’, ‘it’s the preacher’s job’, ‘don’t have time’, ‘don’t know enough’ etc. etc. etc.

Conclusion:

How are you Running the Race-Course?

1. Have you A Servant’s Eyes

Are you willing to give a little in order to help another see Jesus?

2. Are You Prepared For the Race?

What are you doing to make sure you are not disqualified for the prize – the crown?

3. Are you Running To Win?

Are you running like a man beating in the air (Vs. 26)? Or are you under control with a vision of what is needed?

To Be Contagious, we must do what it takes so that we can be the witness God has called us to be. We are His spokes person – His mouthpiece. REMEMBER you are running a race-course so that when you see Jesus face to face, you will receive His blessing AND HIS THANKS for REPRESENTING HIM WELL.