The Right To Lay Down Our Rights
1 Corinthians: The Grime and Glory of the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Last Week’s Recap
Does Paul Have Christian Freedom
Why Doesn’t He Use Them
Last Week’s RECAP
Last Week’s RECAP
If you’re not careful, you’ll think that Chapter 9 is about an entirely different subject, but DON’T DO THAT! This is the same subject. Paul is simply turning their and our attention from Corinthians towards himself because he wants to offer himself up as an example of what it means to wrestle with the question, “What does it mean to live free in Christ”
Paul is saying for those of you asking “Why should we be bound by these weak folks saying that they can’t eat food offered to idols when WE KNOW that those idols are false, WE KNOW that the food in and off itself is not evil, and WE KNOW we have been given all this freedom in Christ?”…for those of you asking these questions take a look at my life!
Question #1: Does Paul Have Christian Freedoms?
Question #1: Does Paul Have Christian Freedoms?
This is a valid question because by now a couple of thoughts could have been running through the heads of the Corinthians concerning Paul. If you don’t know by now, Paul is NOT LIVING A VERY LUXURIOUS LIFE!
Paul probably enjoyed more material comforts in His life before Christ then He did after. In this very letter to the Corinthians, he has always communicated his present circumstances...
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
So naturally, there are possibly two questions running through the Corinthian church concerning Paul?
1. Paul, do you have to live like that? What about your freedoms?!
or maybe even
2. Paul, are you really the apostle you say that you are? Maybe you’re living like this because you have no other choice!
To those potential questions, Paul dedicates the first half of this chapter. Let’s start with verses 1...
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.
Paul begins by asking the Corinthians 7 questions that all are intended to be answered YES...
The first question is the foundation that all the others are built upon: “AM I NOT FREE?”
Yes, Paul, of course, you are! You have freedom in Christ!
Of course after his comments in chapter 8, it may be easier for the Corinthians to second guess how he understands that freedom. I mean the same man who taught us that food is not unclean is now saying…I would stop eating meat all together if my brother stumbled because of it. Folks hearing him make a such a declaration might be led to ask? What kind of Freedom do you truly have Paul? Are you really free!? To that Paul would say YES!
But not only am I free, I’m an apostle!
I’ve witnessed the sight of the resurrected savior with my very own eyes and heard his voice with my very own ears.
And if anyone in the world was able to validate this truth, it would be YOU!
1 Corinthians 9:1-2 “...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.”
Paul is saying here, “If any of you have questions about my rights as an apostle, CHECK MY RESUME, and you’ll likely find your faces on it since it is because of the apostolic work the Lord performed through me that many of you know Jesus and are connected to his church...”
So, YES I’m free in Christ and yes, I have knowledge as one who’s been visited by the resurrected Savior and discipled by His very Spirit, and you are the evidence of my apostolic calling. In other words, I unequivocally have rights to a lot of THINGS!
So Paul, does, in fact HAVE Christian FREEDOM which means the question then becomes “What kind of Freedom!”
If someone were to ask? What kind of things? Paul would turn their attention to verses 3-15. In these verses Paul gives a full defense for all of the rights that he has at his disposal as an Apostle of Christ…again starting in verse 3...
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?
First, Paul points to the Corinthians in order to say, “I have all the same freedoms that you have!”
You have the right to eat and drink - Well, so do I, but I’ve chosen not to use it...
Second, Paul turns his attention to the other Apostles as if to say “I have the same freedoms and rights that they have!”
James and Peter have Christian wives. So there is no prohibition to me having a wife. No I’m not married, but I CERTAINLY could get married if I wanted to exercise that freedom!
Third, Paul turns his attention to the issue of compensation and care for the preacher/pastor as if to say “I HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE A LIVING FROM MY GOSPEL WORK AS WELL!”
He first appears to make the case that the other apostles are being taken care of
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
In other words, the other apostles are not working odd jobs in order to make ends meet. They are being compensated for their work in the Gospel and while I’m working another job and Barnabas is working another job in order to not burden the churches we serve. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO RECEIVE FROM THOSE CHURCHES!
Now, in order to deal with this Paul takes several more verses because he knows how funny we get when we start talking about compensating preachers…:-D
In order to support his position that laborers of the Gospel should be taken care of by those who reap the benefit of their labor in the Gospel, Paul points to three supporting pieces of evidence: The EVERYDAY (v7, 13), The Scriptures (v8-10), and The Christ (v14)
1. THE EVERYDAY (v7, 13)
Paul begins to build his case for his RIGHT to receive financial support and care by pointing to three different examples in verse 7:
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?
A soldier doesn’t go to war on his own dime for a country. The country who reaps the benefit of his protection compensates him for that protection.
If a gardener never got the opportunity to eat from his own produce, we would consider it cruel.
We would consider it crazy if a shepherd said he wasn’t allowed to drink the milk produced from the sheep he cares for.
I know managers at restaurants who not only pay their employees but they give their employees a free or discounted meal everyday they’re working and serving the restaurant because those that are responsible for the produce should be able to reap from the produce.
Paul’s point is that the servant of the Gospel is really no different than any of these everyday examples.
In fact, Paul highlights those working in the temple in verse 13 to make the religious connections for those who may be tempted to avoid those connections.
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?
2. THE SCRIPTURES (v8-10)
Next, Paul turns from the everyday to making his case directly from Scripture for compensation.
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.
Paul’s point is not that God was calling us oxen in Deuteronomy 25. His point is like a similar statement we find in Matthew 6 when Jesus is encouraging us to not worry.
He points to the birds and reminds us that if He cares enough to feed and care for them, He is willing and able to feed and care for us.
He then points to the flowers and remind us that if He cares enough to clothe them in splendor then we can rest assured that He will provide clothing for us!
Paul is using making a similar connection with the oxen…If God desires that we take care of the ox when he works in the field and make sure that he can reap compensation from the field he works, then how much moreso does it apply to those who labor in the fields of the Gospel! Should they not be able to be compensated from the harvest they work and gather!!
And then finally he makes one defense for the compensation of the Gospel workers
3. JESUS CHRIST
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Jesus when he sent the disciples out for the work of missions, he told them
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.
So, from everyday life Paul makes the case, from OT Law Paul makes the case, and from the NT Christ Paul makes the case.
The position has been fully defended leaving Paul to say in verse 11 and 12...
English Standard Version Chapter 9
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?
By now the many uncompensated and underappreciated preachers are shouting with this SERMON YES AND AMEN! And they would be right to do so, if they are underappreciated and uncompensated...
The body would always do well to show love to those who are pouring themselves out for the sake of the flock...
HOWEVER, if we think this is the point of Paul’s defense then we would be mistaken...
Paul has spent all of these verses DEFENDING HIS RIGHT TO HIS RIGHTS...
In other words he has spent all of this time trying to make the point that the reason I’m not exercising my rights IS NOT because I do not have rights. I HAVE them and they are authorized by nature, by HOLY LAW and by Jesus himself. I HAVE rights and they are authorized by the gift of salvation that I have in Christ and the appointment that I’ve been given by Christ to Apostolic Ministry!
I have plenty of rights!
So why is Paul choosing not to use them?
That’s the second point!
Why Does Paul NOT EXERCISE ALL OF HIS RIGHTS and FREEDOMS?
Why Does Paul NOT EXERCISE ALL OF HIS RIGHTS and FREEDOMS?
We see it first show up in latter half of verse 12.
English Standard Version Chapter 9
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 reason for not fully exercising his rights is because he does not want to put ANY obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...
The Gospel of Jesus Christ - The Good News of the Arrival of the Savior who enters into a sinful world and lives the LIFE for a people who could not hold to His righteous demands and dies a death to take the eternal penalty that all of those people deserved...that we deserved...in order to offer eternal life in the New Heavens and New Earth with Him for all who would turn from their life of sin and embrace Him as Savior and Lord.
Paul says I will NOT PUT ANY OBSTACLE IN THE WAY OF THAT GOSPEL being delivered to those in need of it...
Now catch this…THIS GOSPEL that PAUL has received freedom from is also the same Gospel that he is willing to lay down His freedoms when necessary!
In other words, the Gospel in which we’ve been given FREEDOM actually trumps the FREEDOM that we’ve received from it!
Also notice one more thing about verse 12...
“we endure ANYthing rather than put AN obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.”
This is how significant the delivery of the Gospel is to Paul!
He won’t allow ANYTHING to make even the slightest obstruction for the Gospel to be shared!
The First Letter to the Corinthians b. Paul Has a Right to Support, 9:3–14
The primacy of the gospel trumps all other considerations when it comes to Paul’s use of his rights. A gospel (evangelical) Christian is not someone who merely believes the gospel, but one whose life reflects gospel priorities.
Anything that might overshadow the delivery of the Gospel in anyway is cast aside.
Even if he has to work a second job while the other Apostles are fully compensated?
Why would that be a stumbling block in Corinth?
Some scholars tie it back to the system of patronage in some the ancient cities of that day…When you were support, it was offered not only as an act of friendship but an act of friendship...
One scholar notes that “through this system people of high status … used their wealth not only to cater for their social and economic needs, but to form alliances, to secure power, as a form of security and protection against personal and political enemies.”
Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 411). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
The scholar continues with this conclusion...
The First Letter to the Corinthians b. Paul Has a Right to Support, 9:3–14
For Paul to accept such a gift would probably have suggested to the Corinthians and others, not only that they were friends, but also that they were Paul’s patron and he their client. Such a perception would have had potentially disastrous results for the ministry of the gospel. Paul would no longer be free (cf. vv. 1, 19a) to be all things to all people (vv. 19b–22), but would be expected to be what his Corinthian patrons wished. He may also have not felt free to correct them as he saw fit. Others to whom he ministered (both within and outside the Corinthian church) could well think that he represented the interests of the Corinthians who supported him rather than God’s interests or their own.
So Paul’s point here possibly is that I’m not going to be put any obstruction in the way of the Gospel by taken compensation that may have demands attached to it. Even if the demands are small…NO OBSTACLE is worth any of my rights being exercised!
Another Point Paul makes is that nothing is going to get in the way of His joy and reward of sharing 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. 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.
Paul’s point is clear…I’m not making this defense because I want something from you...
In fact, I would RATHER DIE than have anyone deprive me of my REWARD and my BOASTING!
I HAVE TO PREACH the GOSPEL
The Lord has called me to do it...
If I don’t do it I’ll be judged...
So what is my reward? That I do it by relinquishing my rights...
Application: What happens when the WORLD sees us dying to ourselves to make the Gospel known! then the World knows that it is true!!!
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.
We often take this Scripture to simply mean I’ll contextualize. I’ll change my dress, I’ll change my style of worship. I’ll change my customs and traditions...
But it is more significant that...
Paul is saying I will lay down whatever right required for the Jew to be open to and edified by the Gospel.
I will lay down whatever right required for those outside of the law to be open to and edified by the Gospel...
For those who are weak to be open and edified by the Gospel
What does the FREEDOM we have and enjoy in Christ compel CHRISTIANS to do for CHRIST? Live in SERVICE to THOSE AROUND US?
If YOUR FREEDOM in CHRIST doesn't move you towards SERVICE IN CHRIST THAN YOU HAVE YET TO UNDERSTAND THE ONE WHO HAS SET YOUR FREE!
If your FREEDOM in CHRIST doesn't move you towards using your freedom to help those in NEED than you have YET TO UNDERSTAND THE ONE WHO HAS SET YOUR FREE...
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 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.
WHAT IS PAUL EXERCISING STERN DISCIPLINE CONCERNING? He is exercising STERN DISCIPLINE to not clamor for his rights but to sacrifice his freedoms in order that no obstacle might stand in the way of the Gospel.
- He's fighting against his own SENSE of ENTITLEMENT and his own SENSE of SELF-CENTEREDNESS
What would the World see if they saw a church treating their rights this way rather than the way we are too often known for treating them...
When the world looks at my life will they know me by what I reach for or what I lay down? Will they know me by what I grab or what I give?
Do I sacrifice my time, talent, or treasure or do I claw with everything I have to get it and keep those things for myself? Am I know by how hard I'm willing to fight for my rights or by how hard I'm willing to forsake them?
And I'm not just talking about material goods! Are we known for how much we refuse the spotlight or by how hard we're trying to keep it fixed on us? Are we known by how little we want credit or by how ferociously we fight to take credit. Are we known by how much we work in the background or how committed we are in making sure our name is in the foreground.
When the world looks at my life will they know me by what I reach for or what I lay down? Will they know me by what I grab or what I give?
What they ultimately see will determine whether they truly see Christ in us or they just see us making a profession of Christ while scandalizing His name and His work in our self-centered impersonations of Him.