DOING THE WILL OF GOD Sermon (4)

REACH PEOPLE

The First Epistle to the Corinthians D. Paul’s Apostolic Freedom (9:19–23)

for the sake of sharing the good news with others.

WE CAN NOT BE CAUGHT UP IN THE WORLD SYSTEM AND DO GOD’S WILL

OWE NO MAN NOTHING BUT TO LOVE

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT AFFECT OUR WITNESSING

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 9:19–23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The First Epistle to the Corinthians D. Paul’s Apostolic Freedom (9:19–23)

Paul’s policy quite transcended petty consistency—and “religion” itself. His concern was to “win the Jews,” as well as all others; thus “to the31 Jews I became like a Jew.” This opening item serves as the clue for understanding the others. How can a Jew determine to “become like a Jew”? The obvious answer is, In matters that have to do with Jewish religious peculiarities that Paul as a Christian had long ago given up as essential to a right relationship with God. These would include circumcision (7:19; Gal. 6:15), food laws (8:8; Gal. 2:10–13; Rom. 14:17; Col. 2:16), and special observances (Col. 2:16).