1 Corinthians 9:1-27

number one Am I not free? Am I not an apostle have I not seen Jesus our lord are not you my workmanship in the Lord don't have some questions and then I actually quite rhetorical question, but it does appear that someone actually questioning whether he was called as an apostle.

He says am I not free. Christian you are free. You are free to do and have the same Freedom that everybody else. That is a believing Christian. Then he says am I not in the Apostle now?

What he say this have I not seen the Lord Jesus Christ because in order to be an apostle you had to be witness to the Resurrected.

they probably could not be that died and was gone and you play some Matthias those 12 remaining saw Jesus in the flesh after he was raised from

Paul

And you call me very well. It seemed him and not me. Because Paul lifted Teresa and this is a big question that people have won all ever have interaction with you. I personally think he probably had some interaction with him before the crucifixion. It probably wasn't a face to face. Conversation but I am sure that you saw.

Jerusalem learning from Camellia how to be the most amazing Pharisee on Earth and he learned well After Jesus was crucified.

It says in the Bible that some 500 people saw him after the resurrection a lot of witnesses a lot. Play their eyes upon the resurrected savior.

Paul on the other hand whether he saw him in Jerusalem or not. We don't know if we're not. I was taking a journey he was going north.

Damascus to gather up Christian Tell them and put a stop to that what he considered to be heresy because they were following this guy Jesus Christ. Do we read in Acts chapter 9 starting at verse 3 going over 6. It says now as he went on his way. He approached the Masters and suddenly a light from Heaven shut around him and falling to the ground and doing Saul Saul. Why are you persecuting me? And he said who are you Lord? And he said I am Cheese's we are persecuted but ride into the City and you will be told what you are to do in Urdu. This encounter with Christ. Appears to be the very first encounter that Paul has with Jesus after his resurrection from the dead but then we see again later on and in the book of Acts Heat recap the scores this testimony before King Agrippa in Acts chapter 26 verses 12 through 16. It says in this connection, I journey to Damascus with the 40 and the commission of the chief priests. Midday. I saw on the way a light from Heaven brighter than the sun that Shone around me and those who journeyed with me and we had when we had all Fallen to the ground I Heard a Voice saying me and Hebrew language Saul Saul. Why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. You are you Lord and the Lord said I am Cheese's soon are persecuting but rise and stand your feet for I have appeared to you for this purpose. To appoint you as a servant and a witness to the things in which you are seeing in me to those in which I will appear to you the key part of that message has he says Jesus says to Paul I have appeared to you for this purpose. making it very clear that Paul was face-to-face eye-to-eye with Jesus Christ we could

And Jesus personally called him. You go to the Gentile to preach the message of salvation. Paul is an apostle a call deposit. And it's it's amazing because as you read through the life of the Apostle Paul, there should be no doubt in anybody's mind that Paul was called by himself. The live the life that he live. Jesus told ananias name told him to go in open The Isaacs all pray for him in and open his eyes. He said he is an instrument instrument of mine and he

Have you never quit you? Never gave up. Pushing forward persevered as he tells us repeat. In his letters to the different churches. He said she need to persevere you need. all did that Stuck with it no matter what? They threw at it no matter how much they needed. They Stony put him in prison and he kept moving forward. So then Paul asking because are you not my workmanship in any word? Did you not come to Christ to the words that I spoke to you as I came to this city of

What's on at? The word of God is heated out of my mouth. The reason that you stood up and said I need Jesus.

Nicole's. They always say I spoke words to you for the Holy Spirit moved in and work through you to bring you the faith.

Until what he saying is I am the real fake. I truly am an apostle. I was sent by Jesus to preach the word of God to you.

It's not.

Hole that is saved in by is the movement of God. everybody First number to its letters. I am not in the parcel at least I am to you for you are the Seal of my office ship.

How often do people that deny and doubt the authenticity of the man's calling by the Lord? But the proof is truly in the result of his ministry. It's truly in what God is doing through that man that he is called. Holt was called by the Lord to be an apostle. He was called by the Lord to go to the city of Corinth and to preach to these people. and we see big results from his ministry because many people were saying not only important but all over Asia Minor Paul truly took the message of God to the Vendome world and amazing things happened the Caribbean that he says you are proof of my Ministry you are proof that I am doing what price that told me to do their very

1st Timothy 3 says this is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to come and drink a true awful and it's responses do we not have the right to eat and drink another one? Do I as a coupon just like you? Am I not just like you in my freedom? But with it comes restrictions as well. My Liberty is curved Find restrictions to offend or Jamaica other stuff. We talked about that last week 1st Corinthians. 8:13. It says therefore if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat left. I make my brother's phone. Also, yes, I have freedom. I have all the freedom of the world in Christ, but I need to be careful how I use that freedom. Just like in this country. We have freedom to do a lot of things.

If we don't use some freedom to do all of those things because it might have been somebody one of the freedoms that we have in this country as we have the freedom to own a gun and if you live in Arizona, you not only have the freedom to only feel free to put it on your hip and walk around down there.

And how many of you have actually been in the stores owned by somebody had a gun on and actually made you uncomfortable.

Shirley used to work for a local company here years ago and said this Cowboy come in and he always had his going to end your wife.

And guess what you do not see in, California.

And it's what you're comfortable with. That's one of those things. I have a gun at more than one gun. I do not carry my gun on my hip because I know that it makes people.

I choose not to do that. It doesn't mean I don't have.

We have we have free will as well. We are free to do whatever we like if is bleeding. But we also have the obligation to do what?

We need to do what is right for the sake of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Because when we refused to do what's right, we can cause these Brothers and Sisters in Christ to stumble.

and so are we truly exercising our freedom in Christ? If we just go ahead and do it or we restricting our freedom to do the right thing because when we do that when we say I have the freedom to do this, I'm not going to do this. I'm going to do the right thing. That is a fighting in free. Living the Christian Life Away the Lord would have you with it? Jesus as God incarnate had the freedom to do anything he wanted to do but he restricted the things you did greatly not to offend people. But then on the other hand, he did a lot of things that the average Jew would not do because he was offencive to the religious leaders. He hung out with Sinners he hung out with people that drink he hung out with prostitute because they needed to hear his message. They need to be safe.

We do not have the right in the church to support. The things that we should be doing but we do have the right and they have the responsibility to support the things that bring the gospel. div of supporting a Ministry

We we look at the priesthood. The priesthood has been supported and the Old Testament nigricans were familiar with this. They were familiar with the Jewish Customs the Jewish Traditions. They were acquainted with the food laws, but you couldn't immediately talk about that a few weeks ago. We also were familiar with the a piping company that makes everybody uncomfortable. They can do with David instituted for the priesthood because the priesthood needed to be supported. And you can research these on your own if you go to Leviticus 27 numbers 18-wheeler only 12 14 and 26. Are you can read about the institution of how the priests were taken care of through the time. Beacon in Jesus day. These practices were well enforced they were they were being done. And they were strictly followed by the Jews and that day even Jesus instructed them that it's a worker is worth his pay. We're eating Matthew 10 verses 5 through 14. B12 Jesus sent out instructing them go nowhere among the Gentiles and nature. No town of the scenario. Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel and Proclaim as you go saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand heal the sick raise the dead cleanse the lepers cast out demons you received without paying give without pay acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts. No bad for your journey note to knit or sandals with staff of the laborer deserves.

And whatever town or Village you enter find out who it is the worthy in it and stay there until you depart as you enter the house read it and if the house is worthy let your peace come upon it, but if it is. If anyone will not receive. destiny

don't take any money. Don't take any material Goods, but go in there and find a house that will receive you and let them feed you and give you a place to sleep. That was their pay for what they were doing. And Paul makes his point. He says I have a right to be paid for what I am doing for being a minister of Christ to you. I should be paid for that. What he goes?

Unpaid it would be brilliant. He has the freedom to pee pee but he also has the freedom to say. I don't want you.

So when he was in Corinth, he stayed at the home of Aquila and Priscilla are familiar with that from the book of Acts. They were tentmakers as was tall and they worked at tip making to make their own. and as a A Jewish Pharisee you had to have a trade in order to make a living. Reverse number 5 to 10. We do not have the right to take along a believing life as to the other Apostles and brothers of the Lord and deepest soap. Paul has now it's just ridiculous. I am at Apostle price. I have been sent by the Lord. In regard to having the church support his ministry. He says should I not also be allowed to bring along a white that you would support it Well church not support the wife of the minister who helps the pastor.

diffidently We don't have all of the information here any of the Apostles did have wives. none of them did. Impulse specifically points out speakers for Peter. We know that Peter had a wife. because if we look back into the gospels of Matthew we see that build chapter 1 verses 29 through 31 he left the synagogue that he enter the house of Simon who's Peter and Andrew symonds mother-in-law. pill with a fever and they told him about he came and took her by the hand with and rub and the fever left her.

It's believed that Paul at one time had a wife. We don't know what happened to his wife. She may have died. She made them dead.

We don't know why his wife was. His point is if we is Apostles Housewives, we have the right to have you as the church support both me the pastor and the first number 6 it says or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

Barnabas was a levite and he was required to have a trade as part of his ministry. Do remember that the Levites had no inheritance when they came into this the land of milk and honey both were able to make a living? Impulses are we the only one who don't have the right to refrain from making a living and having you support us. Are we be treated differently than the other?

Anybody. That it was the normal custom. Remote ministers to not work outside of the ministry. that is fairly typical today most pastors if they pass during a fairly decent sized Church. They do not work outside of the ministry. Pastor that certain small churches that cannot afford to pay them a full-time wage typically or 5, okay. Part time job doing something else in order to be able to sustain today. And that's if you are in charge of the church cannot support you and you have no other means I'm thinking looking to get a job. And so that first number 7 says who serves as a soldier is on the expanse. Woo, That's a big nerd without eating any of them fruit or who tends a clock without getting some of them out. There are privileges for what you do and Paul's making this point cuz I told your serve and provide for all of his own me.

the government takes care of your physical

and they do very well taken care of.

hazing

then he drink some of that milk from what he is.

A shows that there's a right for people to be maintained that are in the ministry that the church truly does have a responsibility to pay them. Rooster breeds that do I say these things on human authority. That's not the law say the same thing. Who's going to ask another question within his argument this morning? So do I say these things of my own human authority? Am I just making this stuff up look for some That's not the law. Say the same thing. So he's going to get legal with them the law under which they live said the same thing that off as stated the Jews live by the law and that was the ultimate Authority and that you will take care of the priests within the temple and they did and it wasn't necessarily monetary. They provided them with with things to eat. And they brought the first fruits of their their labor so they probably brought them clothing and and food and took care of them. oil for the lamps

The first time he continues is this for and it's written in the law of Moses. You shall not muzzle an ox when it dreads out. The grain. It is for auction that God is approximate. God is good. For it is written hall closed down from Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4. In the old days that they would use an AUX To Tread out the bread and the auction going to circle in and drive this big Stone around in the circle and it would break the husk off the Great. And in doing so as the auction was going around in a circle if there was a piece of rain keeps stopping.

Should we muzzle that hospital? because if you do that, you're going to have a

it's only right.

Some of the brain that is spreading out.

It was good to take care of the ox just as well. It is good.

Church First number 10. Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It is written for our sake because the plow man should plowing hope and then pressure aggression. Hope of sharing when did it right to stern. Is there a nothing in the world?

Not desire to see fruit from all of the work to be put in a floor dividing the wheat from the chaff called should they not be able to share in the work that they can go through? There should be hope in all that we do. as a man of God's Anthony creatures

provide for the needs to the first fruit fruits

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if we have stone spiritual things among you is it too much if we reap material things from you. So what he saying is I had so spiritual teeth among the Corinthians. I have spread the word of God. I have brought the message until I have preached the gospel message and many who brought the faith in this city.

Oh by the preaching of my work because I brought the good news you listen to good news. God moved and you were saved. The Zoe thing. Is it not too much to ask that fit oui?

Call Sissy's labor in the spiritual things. We have brought you the good news. Should not we also read.

I need to be fully entitled to receive. Something for what he was doing. There should be material compensation for the spiritual work that you've done with her. Inverse number 12 does if others share this rightful claim on you do not we even more like between do it anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel.

Ain't making a point here. He says others have come in and take it before they really even though I have not asked you for anything and if I like after so it's possible that may be coming to town or Apollo to come into town and they have been paid for the spiritual services that they render.

Does the People's Court felt that it was reason enough to deny tall as an apostille Apopka is being denied any compensation compromise.

He never said that he did it because God sent him do it. Paul wants to do nothing that will hinder the message. You look like you turn your TV on and and Benny Hinn's preaching. He says you better send me that $100 or you going to hell. Or some other televangelist to send me money. If you don't send me money if you're going to have no faith, you're not going to be able to do anything and holy spirit going to leave you because you haven't sent me that money daddy music.

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That's the way it's supposed to be. Not at all. All is peaceful.

Because I can tell you later. It's a good.

And then he was further told you're going to go out.

And I don't want your Bible says but my Bible says Delaware. Oh, and by the way, you will be well compensated.

It doesn't say that anywhere you're going to suffer greatly.

And there are those that please the sheep for their own good. They are there out there. There are many of them out there. But there are many more that work diligently to spread the word of God and ask a couple.

Bruce 13, do you not know that those who are employed in a different service get their food from the temple? yogurt share in Attack of the offering It provided a way of compensation for those who worked in the temple phone number in working in Temple service. They were well taken care of. No, in modern times, you wouldn't agree with that until they get their food and they might have a place to lay your head.

The priests managed to do quite well.

Verse 14 touch in the same way the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Is it not only the right of the one who spread the blessing to be blessed himself?

Those that are blessed by Ministry are usually more than willing to support it.

And that's why churches exist today because if a man comes up here and preaches the gospel message and you almost hit that was a great message and you all walk out the door and you leave him nothing. Leave the church. I just because the basket goes around at the end of service every Sunday. That doesn't mean that money is going to me. I don't remember.

adapter buddy to the lender

well.

They cost money to have a building in there that's been in Toms River Building. Why don't we Why don't you go outside with you?

There's a reason why we do a weekend first-ever 15, but I have made no use of any of the tribe. Who 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. Paul took nothing from the church in Port he supported himself with his tent making Any good quite readily say the Church of Corinth has not supported me by any means whatsoever. He was taking nothing from them for what he had done. And he did that on a regular basis later in the book of Acts. You can see where they were offering taken and he took them to Jerusalem because the Saints in Jerusalem were just dying on the vine.

Weber 16 it says for if I preach the gospel that know that gives me no ground for posting for necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.

The call to Miss Ministry does not in any way shape or form guarantee compensation. It doesn't ensure that you're going to get pay of anytime.

Personally if the church said today, we are no longer going to pay you what we're paying you. I will continue to do what I do. Because I get more than compensated by standing up here and preaching the word of God because that's what I've been called to do. I love what I do and I don't do it because I get paid to do it. I do it because God called me to do it. by calling bird that is

Is Jeremiah chapter 20 verse 9 it says if I say I will not mention him or speak anymore of his name there is in my heart as if it were a burning fire shut up in my phone and I am weary with holding it in.

I love what I do. Compensated or not. I will continue to do what I do with my God Delta.

We're 17. / if I do this of my own will I have a reward but it's if not of my own William still entrusted with the stewardship that win that Ben is my reward that in my preaching on if you're sent the gospel free of charge. So as to not make full use of my right in the gospel.

He says my reward is in serving Christ. That's truly the reward I have I called the call to do this. No pay good or bad with change that. And nor should it.

I don't pastor this church because of the material things that I can get out of it. I do it because the Lord rewards me and bestows upon music lessons for what I And I love what I do. Most of the time it does have its moments. And sometimes I do shopping at myself. Why am I doing this? But God reminds me.

Sometimes it's difficult. Sometimes it's really really hot.

with the Lord

this too shall pass. I can do her endure the pain in the things that come my way because I know what comes with. First Bank near me For though, I am free from all I have made myself a servant to all that I might win more of them.

Freedom Hall has complete freedom in Christ, but he willingly makes himself a servant to everyone. He does that in order to help people come to faith in Christ.

It's more than worth the pain in the ministry. We continue to sin verse 20 says to the Jews. I became a Jew in order to win that you do those under the law. I became under the law gold not myself that I might win those who are under the wall. To those outside the law became was one outside the law not being outside the law, but under the law of Christ that I might win those who are outside the law to the week. Are you gain weight? That I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel that I may share with them and it's blessed all gave up everything and became everything to anybody. He did what he had to do to spread the word of God. So if he went into a town that had many Jews in Italy became

if you went into a I found it very much under the pressure of the lofty became just like if he went in your place where there are a lot of weak people that just couldn't do what they need to do. He became like that. He did what it took to get the message to the people that he was preaching.

and even if it cost he would still do it. If you remember an axe, he went into the the town of lystra. Did before he left the town of lystra make you rock that ink to the point where he died and the Lord revives and what's he do? He goes right back in town Elizabeth?

I don't know about you, but it ain't me. I'm not going to go back into that. Paul was an amazing guy. And so he he did what he had to do to get the message thread. Paul met people where they were

Because if we live hard sometimes a really comfortable life of a single, I'm only going to preach to the people that are in my condition. We might not be shivering any people, but if we

That's what we're going to do. We become what they are we go out and we walk down the street and leave.

If you're only going to preach to the people that are in the highfalutin fancy neighborhood, you're probably not going to eat.

Listen to and then you go Sunday said it isn't about me.

That should be the statement that every Pastor said it isn't about me. It's not about being the least. It's about the gospel message. It's about the words that come out of my mouth because right is asked me to say that it's about me sharing blessings from God to everyone who hears my words. And you know, it's truly a privilege to be a minister of the Gospel. It's an amazing privilege to do what I do. Because I get to see people come to Faith I get to. growing their faith I get this part of the process of

because in the end.

And if nothing else if I get to heaven and the only prize idea is to here. Well done good and faithful servant. I will be happy. I don't need crowns and it or anything else. I just want to hear those.

First twenty-four you do not know that in a race all the runners run but only one receives the prize so run that you may obtain it everyone gets built all now makes a comparison to an athlete who run the race. And whenever he runs it to obtain.

But only one person. Windsor run this race that you're running run this life of a Christian to win that prize.

Is Junior persevere stay in the race until the end?

persevere through this life

Where's 25 every athlete exercises self-control in all things? They do it to receive a perishable read but we I'm in tears. Athlete that's running this race back in the days when Paul lived they would run the race in theatres with. Put on your head at one time was a living part of it.

Well after a few days that green wreath is turning brown and wilting and drying up and will become dead. But the race that you and I are running is Christian, there's a prize that we can end this life it will last for.

Turn the light is an amazing prize to have at the end of this line. And it's not that you're going to get into the infinite. you

we need to run this race with price. Because in the end is imperishable. It will never go away. It will last for all eternity. First 26th Halsted so I do not run aimlessly. I do not want such as one beating the air. He says it's real this is real but I'm doing this life. I'm living because it's not like Shadow Boxing. It's not like I'm bagging at the air. This is a real match and I do it with intention ality.

Because this life I live is a life for Christ. It is real and in the end. I am going to win this race. 620 75th Way, Davie, can I wrap it should I go grab our other stuff to do with salvation? I need you on the base.

It's a spiritual battle against our flesh and our flesh wants to do what it wants to do. And we have to hold it in submission and they have to battle it because it wants to go to the left when the spirit says go to the right and the flesh want to go to the right when the spirit says go to.

When the spirit says you need to go up there.

Is a baffle. It's so we have to fight that battle all the time. And Paul says I don't want to be disqualified. I don't want to lose my reward.

Because he's working for Jesus Christ to spread the gospel message anybody and everybody that were here and he wants to see more people say you're going to heaven that's digits. That was his mission in life was to see people say

and this is a personal commitment to continue to do the work of the Lord that he's been given to do and he is not going to let the world or the flash stop the work that he is. He's going to keep on.

I didn't said this many times and I

Nero had his head

because this life that we read about says that that is who he is. He was not going to stop preaching the word of God.

Heavenly Father we thank you for this day that you provided. Thank you with this message board. We we look forward to learning from your word every week. We that's the guiding principles that

We pray I pray Lord that. We have all gotten something out of this message. It's not about money. It's not about conversation. It's about following you.