Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23
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.
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
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.
Morning Message
For the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What are you doing for the sake of the gospel? I believe that this is a fair question for all of us today. I think that the answer today, during this pandemic, is probably nothing. I don’t know about you, but I have become very lax during this time of sheltering in place and social distancing. Now to be lax can have a couple of different meanings. It can simply mean to not be strict or too loose with things or slack off. I believe at first, when this whole thing started, almost a year ago now, that was our intention, to not be too strict about things, to be a little more loose with our walk with God, to slack off just a little in order to be safe. I think that what has happened is that with time and how long this has gone on, we have become careless and are at risk of becoming negligent. Now I don’t say these things lightly, and I never say something to you that I do not include myself in. I don’t believe that any Christian ever plans to become lax, but I do know that all of us can, and do. This virus has been the perfect storm and has become the perfect excuse to just do nothing.
As followers of Jesus, we must constantly hold our lives up to God’s word. The Bible offers us a look at what we should be and what we can be. Paul starts by saying something to us that we need to explore and ask ourselves why we don’t seem to feel this. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach the gospel. Now I know that we are not all preachers, but we all have our part to play in the gospels’ proclamation. Paul says, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” The first question that I ask of myself and of you is: why have we not felt compelled lately to do are part to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. To be compelled means that you don’t really have a choice. Now I know that in today’s society everyone feels like they have a choice in everything, but as Christians we gave up our right to choose when we gave our lives to Jesus. That might be a surprise to some of you. Maybe you have been living under the misconception that you can belong to Jesus and still choose how you live your life. I’m sorry if you have been mislead, but if you truly belong to Jesus, woe to you if you do not proclaim the gospel. Paul actually says that you can do it voluntarily or involuntarily. What does he mean by that? I believe that he is simply saying that you can plan to do God’s will and be a part of His ministry in a proactive and positive way, or you can go through your Christian life without a plan, and only proclaim the gospel when it is convenient. The blessing is in proclaiming it purposefully and always, no matter the circumstances.
What should this look like for us? How can we do our part today? We have to continue being the church. We proclaim the gospel in many different ways. We have to continue touching the lives of those around us. Just because we can’t gather together on Sunday mornings doesn’t mean that ministry should stop. As a matter of fact, this is the time when our ministries are needed the most and when we should be even more involved in doing God’s work. This is when the blessing comes; when it’s not easy; when we have to make a real concerted effort. To whom can you reach out? Who can you help by providing food or something else that is needed? What life can you touch with a phone call or a text? How is God calling you right now to make a difference for someone, and let them see Jesus in what you do for them? What I am asking you today is what lengths will you go to in order to further the gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul said that he was willing and did become all things to all people in order for the gospel to be proclaimed to everyone, and so that by all possible means some might be saved. Paul was not being a hypocrite by being willing to vary his behavior, on the contrary, he chose to sacrifice his needs and wants and even his feelings to be able to more effectively minister to everyone. Christians must be mindful of how their freedom (or perceived lack thereof) might negatively color their witness for Christ. Preferences should be set aside for the greater good – the receptivity of one’s audience. My point today is this. The gospel must continue to go forth and we must find ways to continue to proclaim the gospel. We must gather ourselves as followers of Jesus and find ways to continue His ministry in this world. There is no other purpose for which we are called. I truly believe that the only reason that any of us, who belong to Jesus, are still here, is because God still has a purpose for us to fulfill in His great plan of redemption. Church, I am asking you to think about this today. What are you doing for the sake of the gospel?
In Christ’s Love and Peace
Pastor Bob
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