1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9

[Reannounce and read text]

[Prayer for illumination]

[Introduction]

In chapter 8 to recall Paul was encouraging the stronger Christian brother to refrain from eating meat as it may offend the weaker brother. The cause of this call was to promote Christ and the very gospel. In chapter 9 Paul cites I have given up the right to earn a salary from you for the preaching of the gospel, so that the gospel may not be hindered and spread among Corinth. Today we look at the sacrifice of Paul not taking a salary and how this points us to freely giving of ourselves for the sake of Christ.

Paul and Apostle V. 1 -3

[Explanation]

Paul the founder of the Corinth Church an Apostle of Jesus is rightly defending his position of authority and calling from God. Pastors while not the head of the church are the authority of the local church and have every right to have the respect and support of her members. In this portion of the letter Paul is reminding Corinth of who He serves and who is. He does not do so to boast in himself, but rather point that I am of Christ and called to you in the service of the King.

Christ appoints his ministers in each church and this appointing is not taken lightly by the congregations. Honor, respect, submission, and support to the elders of the church is the biblical approach to God’s servants. Christ cares for his under shepherds and does expect the church to care for the under shepherd who is shepherding the sheep. To which Paul says we not have a right for the following? Which Paul is making accusation it appears you Corinth believe not these things.

Let us be aware Paul is not promoting self; he is stating in the proper worship of God, comes the proper honor to those Christ has called to lead. Christians on the member level are called to same to honor each other and submit to each other such as the case of eating meat. Christians should be a people where honor and submission to each other is the one of the first things they do. Members of the local church are called by scripture to honor Christ is the submission to the elders of the church and support of them. Hebrews 13:17

[Illustration]

My dad served as a Deacon of a small suburban church in Maryland. My family knew from day one that our Pastors and Deacons are the authority in the church and should be given honor. This was never debated with us. My father is a rare man, inside this church were people who disliked the Pastor, wanted to remain in the past, and hopes the Pastor would leave. The church crumbled under the lack of support the Pastor received and the gospel became a me show.

Self-Kingdom over Christ’s Kingdom.

[Application] Honoring Christ, honoring Pastors, honoring each other

Church; You have had a multitude of Pastors enter and leave Highland; each has been for the season God designed for them. The question you must examine is over the last 50 years and some of you have been around that long; Have you supported your Pastor financially? Have you submitted to the leadership that God has placed him or them over you? Or have been disgruntled which is not honoring Christ. The church honors Christ with the honor of Christ’s Pastor He placed over you.

· Let not the spirit of Corinth fall upon Highland and let it be a warning if you are the disgruntled member.

· Let the spirit of generosity guide the path of the church and not withhold as Corinth is.

· Let not the demands be so high where the minister says are we not able to take a wife or do xyz as other laborers for Christ.

[Main Point 2] Sacrifice for the Gospel V12/14

Paul understands the gospel in ways the church of Corinth does not. The gospel is the calling of sacrifice. Paul would sacrifice his liberties, and the right of a salary as a minister of the gospel. Why would he do that? Paul serves Christ and Christ gave everything so that the elect of God may not perish but have everlasting life and the forgiveness of sin. Jesus had every right to call of the armies of God to destroy his enemies. Jesus had every right to come to a wealthy family, not a carpenter. Jesus had every right to not call any of us His. Jesus gave up everything to come down in humility to be a servant unto death.

Paul would do the same because His Lord did as well.

[Application] Sacrifice for the gospel

A. As Paul surrendered his rights for the sake of the gospel; where is the Lord calling you to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?

B. Highland where is God calling you to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel? What if its this building which is the only asset the church has? What if the church sold the building, met in a public space for affordable rent, use the hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of the property here for the advancement of the Kingdom and the support of calling your own Pastor? What if God has you to step away from the security of Village Missions and partnered with a local denomination that is like minded?

Highland being here the one thing always remained true, don’t take our past away but what if that is what God calls so that Highland can move into the next direction of being a gospel force for Galloway NJ? That very idea is the one that has been fiercely rejected since my arrival, but I remain true that I believe God is challenging you to take measures of sacrifice for His glory. Are you willing in the next season to pray and consider that perhaps God is attacking your idol and calling you to surrender to His purposes?

My vision certainly may not be of the Lord, or maybe; but you as a church must be willing to ask these questions. Paul certainly understood the call of following Christ is worth more than a salary, worth more than he is getting married, it was worth everything. Will you do the same?

[Main Point 3] Servant of all V 19- 26

Paul understood his place and his ministry was to be a servant of all and his gain is Christ. Ministers are called to adapt to the people they serve, for the one where the law is heavy, they obey the law; for the one who is considered the outlaw, they minister in the space under the law of Christ. Paul never asked for a dime and he had every right too, but instead he worked at a tent maker by day and a Pastor by night. His life was filled with the love of the churches because His love for Christ was great.

Paul’s desire was to see a congregation come alive in Christ and he would do so by being a servant to all.

[Application] The Pastors call and the churches responsibility

Church the calling of a Pastor is to preach the gospel and calls souls to Christ.

The calling of members is to support the man or men called to that role.

The calling of the Church is collectively to glorify God and make Him known.

[Conclusion]

Paul is not superhero Christian; he has a past of killing Christians. He is a man like you and I. We are made in the image of God, that through our sin broke our relationship with God, it cost Christ his life, and third day He rose again to redeem us to live a life of worship and be a living sacrifice unto for the glory of God.