I Do Not Run Aimlessly

HOOK

There's a guy named Hugh Morehead who 55 years ago began a hobby of writing to famous philosophers and scientists and authors and asking them, "What is the purpose of life?" The responses he got back were depressing at best.

Isaac Asimov wrote back, "As far as I can see there is no purpose to life."

Karl Jung, the Austrian psychiatrist, wrote, "I don't know what the meaning or the purpose of life is but it looks like as if there were something meant by it."

Arthur Clark, the author of 2001, wrote, "I'm afraid I have no concrete ideas of the purpose of life."

Albert Ellis, the psychiatrist who invented RET therapy said, "As far as I can tell, life has no special or intrinsic meaning or purpose."

Gerald Frank, "In the cosmic scheme, I see neither meaning nor purpose."

Edward Gorny, "I doubt if there is one."

William Gasp, "There is no meaning to life."

Thomas Nagle, "I'm afraid the meaning of life still eludes me."

With a sense of resignation Joseph Heller wrote, "I have no answers to the meaning of life and I no longer want to search for any."

Is there a purpose in life? Is there a meaning to life? Can we know why we are here? Thankfully there is an answer in the Word of God!

Unlike these famous philosophers and scientists, Paul knows his purpose— and he said

1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT

26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

Paul was focused on his purpose that he was willing to not exercise his rights as apostle— right to hospitality, right be married and right to be properly compensated

When your focus is on living for Christ, your rights become unimportant.

Paul was driven by the desire to do the purpose that God had for him!

Are you driven by God?  Do you know your purpose? What gifts has God given you?  Are you motivated like Paul to honor God with your gifts?

In this part of Paul’s first letter to Corinth— the church he himself founded and built— He emphasized a life of strict discipline— he presented to them a clear illustration of a Christian way of life which involves both FREEDOM & DISCIPLINE

Paul knew how to restrain his own freedom to maintain self-discipline— this is very important— very often, we exercise our freedom at the cost of our discipline!

The goal's of Paul's life were to glorify God and bring people to Christ—   So he stayed free of any philosophical position [such as the things talked about by Pastor Justin last Sunday— concerning food sacrificed to idols] — he said

1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

Both freedom and discipline were very important tools to be used for God's service— but the question is... 

How disciplined are we?

Paul gives important principles for ministry:

1. Find common ground for those you contact

2. Avoid the “know-it-all” attitude

3. Make others feel accepted

4. Every need and concern must be addressed sensitively

5. Share about Jesus at every opportunity

Now, let’s take a look at the letter of Paul, and like what we usually do, I’d like for you to grab your Bibles and be ready with your highlighters of pens— now let’s highlight these important points that Paul wrote...

BOOK | 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-27

1 Corinthians 9 (NIV)

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Sadly, this part of Paul’s letter is his response to some individuals who were questioning his authority and rights as an apostle— Paul was under attack by the church he himself has founded and built [Acts 1 & 18]— I can relate to how Paul must have felt about how he was treated by the church he himself has built!

Some of the Corinthians seems to have questioned Paul’s apostolic credentials and authority because he did not accept financial support from them

In the first century, itinerant speakers [travelling preachers], regularly collected money to continue their services

So he stared this portion of letter by offering to them his credentials— he said

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? — Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? — these as rhetorical questions that he landed by saying..

I may not be an apostle to others, but surely I am to you! he exclaimed! — for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord— Their response to the gospel message and their maturity in the faith validate Paul’s apostleship

Paul asserted his freedom and rights as an apostle— like a lawyer arguing a case in court— Paul felt that he was on trial— But Paul made it clear that he had the right to expect support not only for himself, but for his family also

Paul were unique in this regard— choosing to work and support himself so no one could accuse him of preaching for money— he worked as a tentmaker [Acts 18:3]

He did this [tentmaking] because he may have wanted to be an example for them since many Greeks despised work — in another letter he said..

2 Thessalonians 3:11–12 NIV

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

LOOK

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?

All soldiers are compensated by the people through the government or empire that they are fighting for— though they do not always just fight for the money

A lot of them fight for honor too!— Sadly, the Afghanistan army aren’t among them

Let’s observe a moment of silence to pray and honor the 13 service members who died because of the latest attack at Kabul Airport

And then Paul quoted the Law of Moses using ox treading out the grain

Deuteronomy 25:4 (NIV)

4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

This are perpetual pictures that Paul made to illustrate that ministry workers deserves to be paid!—

Not too many in our church are getting paid for their service— we should be more faithful in our tithes and offerings— that’ll be a subject matter for another day

11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

Spiritual workers are entitled to receive material blessings— Paul also said it to the church in Rome

Romans 15:27 (NIV)

27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

12 But we did not use this right

Paul also made sure that he is free from any material entanglement that might sidetrack him while he strictly disciplined himself to carry out his goal

Paul told them that even though they have the right and freedom as apostles, he did not use them— why? He worked to support himself to show an example to those lazy Jews

He restrained his freedom to keep his discipline— last Sunday Pastor Justin talked about food sacrificed to idols— in this part of Paul’s letter, he was making it clear that there’s nothing wrong to ear those food!

But, if eating those food will cause anyone to stumble, better not eat it— or like what Pastor Justin said— “hide it and not flaunt it!”

Why?— because we shall restrain our freedom to keep our discipline— When we suffer loss, then we are strong! in other words, when we hold off to our freedom— it shows our maturity!

Paul underscored in his letter that he wrote what he wrote not to appeal for money!— but rather, he want them to understand that not because he did not accept financial or material support from them, does not necessarily mean that they could be treated to be without rights and freedom as apostles

Why won’t Paul accept financial support from the church in Corinth?

Was he prideful? I don’t think so— when I drove Uber for almost 6 years, it was not because I was prideful— it was because our church family cannot afford a full time Pastor— in fact up to now our church still can’t afford to pay for a full time Pastor— much less ministry workers that can help the me with my growing tasks in our growing church — and why is that?— well, it boils down to our faithfulness in giving!

14 Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel

It is a divine mandate for those who are working in the ministry as their vocation— Paul would always circle back to what was already known to them— the Mosaic Law

Deuteronomy 18:3–4 NIV

3 This is the share due the priests from the people who sacrifice a bull or a sheep: the shoulder, the internal organs and the meat from the head. 4 You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep,

18 So not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Like what I said earlier, itinerant orators gave flattering speeches to their audiences so that they might be honored and received some financial gift— Paul did not do this when he arrived in Corinth— and you already know the reason why

What right or rights are you willing to deny yourself for the cause of Jesus?

19 I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Paul put himself at the service of others in order that God may use him to bring people to Jesus— Paul was being Christ-like

Philippians 2:7 NIV

7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

He does not regard himself as a “savior,” but as an instrument through which someone might hear the gospel and be saved

Paul positioned himself to be a channel of blessings to those whom he wants to proclaim to gospel to— We should also follow Paul’s ways by being creative and innovative in sharing the gospel

22 I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

He adapts to his audience— but not compromising the gospel or his message— to remove any obstacles to their acceptance of the gospel message

In my preaching, I adapt to my audience without compromising the gospel message!— do not preach messages that only you enjoy!

Do not make yourself appear that you are the all-knowing while your audience knows nothing!— and make sure that you have the right intentions when you preach!

And toward the end of this chapter on his Paul’s first letter to Corinth— he tied up his discourse to DISCIPLINE and PURPOSE

He started talking about RIGHTS & FREEDOM, and then segued to equate them with DISCIPLINE & PURPOSE

If earlier he used soldiers and oxens— this time he made use of athletes to illustrate his mind— he used runners and boxers

What a very timely message— the reason why I am not around last weekend was because we went to see the Pacquiao-Ugas fight— it was not at all a vacation, but it was a mission

We went there to personally hand over a letter from FEFAM to invite Senator Pacquiao to come down here in San Diego so that he may share the story how God transformed him

We have around 350 plus thousand of Filipinos here in our county that will be blessed to see and hear him in person— it did not happen this time, maybe next time! In God’s time!

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training

If you’re on facebook, you will see a lot of live videos and clips of Manny Pacquiao popping up showing how rigid his training was— at 42, not too many men can do what he does

Athletes goes into strict training to get a crown that will not last— but we Christians, must have the discipline of strict training because we are aiming not for a title, not for a belt, but for a crown that will last forever

This extended series of athletic metaphors is intended to communicate the discipline necessary for minister of the gospel so that we may truly understand the significance of exercising self-control! — Self-discipline!

And then finally— Paul locked everything he said to PURPOSE— he said...

26 I do not run like someone running aimlessly

He continued saying… I do not fight like a boxer beating the air!— Manny threw a lot of punches that landed in the air, but I’m sure that was not his intentions— I was told that he suffered upper leg cramps from round 6 until the end of the match!

Paul’s ministry efforts have a definite purpose!— He was not playing around! He went around continents [Cilicia, Pamphylia, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia and back in Judea] planting home churches with a purpose! — he went around those countries not just once but thrice!

Would you think Paul would put himself in harms way for nothing?

Of course not! He’s been through hell on earth but he finished his race well— How was he able to do it? — because he knew his purpose!

Would you think I am openly subjecting myself to your criticisms and disrespect for nothing? — of course not!— I know my purpose, and that purpose guides me through!

What about you? Do you know your Purpose?

If not— let this be a stern reminder that the most tragic thing that could ever happen to anyone— is to live and die without knowing why!

Let the life of King David inspires you today— he served his God given purpose in his own generation before he died...

Acts 13:36 (NIV)

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

PURPOSE IN LIFE — SHOW IMAGE OF RIFLE

Many years before Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he was a store-keeper in Salem, Illinois.

Abe had a rifle displayed in his store that was one of the most beautiful rifles ever made.

The barrel was made from the finest steel, the stock from the best walnut wood; and a world-famous gunsmith had assembled the gun— The price was extremely reasonable.

Displayed next to this attractive gun was a rack of ordinary Kentucky squirrel rifles.

These long-barrel rifles were made from ordinary gun steel, and plain wooden stocks. Yet, the price was higher.

A customer entered the store looking for a new rifle— He was impressed by the fine-looking gun, but was confused as to why it was priced much lower than the less attractive rifles.

Abe explained that the good- looking rifle was for show— while the others were for shooting— The pioneer bought the Kentucky squirrel rifle.

A little while later, a rich farmer was decorating a room in his country mansion— He wanted to place a gun over the fireplace mantle with his big game trophies.

Abe’s fancy gun was exactly what he needed— The fact that it would not shoot was irrelevant— The purpose of the gun had changed.

God has given each of us a purpose, too— We can choose to work for God’s glory and make disciples for Christ— or we can choose to be decorations in the church.

What purpose are you serving in your relationship with Christ?

In a few words that all starts with letter “P”, we can reduced everything that Paul wrote here by saying:

Pay the Pastors— Position to Proclaim— and know your Purpose

TOOK

I WILL BE FAITHFUL WITH MY TITHES AND OFFERINGS TO SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY WORKERS

Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (NIV)

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

QUESTION: Am I being faithful in giving my tithes & offerings to my church? If no, why not? What is holding me back from becoming God’s channel of blessings to his ministry?

I WILL ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE COMMON GROUND TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

1 Corinthians 10:31–33 (NIV)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

QUESTION: Am I being sensitive to the needs and concerns of others? Do I make others feel accepted? Or do I appear “all-knowing” while others feel they know nothing? Am I constantly looking for opportunities to tell people about Jesus?

I WILL DISCOVER MY GOD GIVEN PURPOSE IF I HAVEN’T ALREADY

Job 10:8 (NIV)

8 “Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me?

Spiritual Gifts, Heart [Passion], Abilities, Personality, Experiences— Class 301 on Friday September 4th

In most cased you’ll never know your purpose until you get there… but you’ll never get there until you seek it seriously

QUESTION: Do I know what on earth Am I here for? Why was I born? And how am I shaped by God in my mother’s womb?