Morning Message Text: 1Corinthians 9: 16-27
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.
The Need for Self-Discipline
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.
Morning Message:
Why are you a Christian? Why do you come to church? Why do you claim this faith and call yourself a follower of Jesus? How serious are you about your faith? I want us to look at our lives this morning and determine what our faith means to us. As I was preparing this message, I started to think about the way our society has changed and the effect that it has had on the church. As much as I preach to all of us that we must not conform to society, the more it seems inevitable that we will. I need you to hear me out on this. I was always taught that winning was important. Not winning at all costs as to harm someone but striving as hard as you can to win. Slowly our society, for the sake of equality, which they now call equity, decided that feelings were more important than winning. I guess the thought was it would somehow damage the other participants if someone won, and they lost. Some of the best lessons I have learned in life came through losing and not getting what I wanted. We have not helped our children by making sure everyone gets a participation trophy. Instead, we have given them the attitude that they no longer have to strive to do better. The results: lower grades in school; less striving to succeed; and lower standards of learning to accommodate those who are not doing well. But don’t worry, everyone is more comfortable. This attitude is prevalent in our schools, our colleges, and even in our government. Guess what? It has made its way into the church.
God’s Word never ceases to amaze me at how accurate it is for our lives and how it continues to be fresh and meaningful to every generation. Although Paul had compellingly argued that he had every right to live off the gospel, he chose not to exercise that right. Paul demonstrates that a part of leadership or maturity is the willingness to sacrifice one’s rights for the well-being of others. What a novel thought that is. Paul acknowledges his freedom, but then says something that is so difficult to understand in our culture. He chooses to be a slave to all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul is in it to win it at any cost to himself. Now we need to hear that attitude and contrast it with what we hear today, or maybe, even with how we feel today. “I have a right to my opinion.” Does it matter to you if your opinion hurts someone else? “I know what I am saying is biblical and factual.” You know, sometimes we can be absolutely right in how we see something, but absolutely wrong to proclaim it in a way that harms others. You have the freedom to protest anything and everything, but should you, at the cost of alienating others?
The fact that Paul varied his behavior depending on the audience does not make him a hypocrite. On the contrary, he chose not to exercise certain freedoms in certain contexts in order to minister more effectively to that community.
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. We seem to need incentives in order for us to push forward and respond to the call that God has put on our lives. Well, I have some for you this morning. I don’t know for sure what awaits us in heaven, but the Bible clearly tells us there will be rewards. Paul refers to them as crowns, and I like that thought. There is a crown of life—given to those who endure a great deal of testing and trial and tribulation. You can read about that one in James 1: 12. There is a crown of glory—reserved for Pastors who feed the flock of God. I like that on, and I am trying to live up to the task of earning it. You can find that one in 1Peter 5: 4. A crown of rejoicing—awarded to those who win souls for Christ. This crown (stephanos) derives from the name of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. You can find that in 1Thessalonians 2: 19, 20. Stephen, as he gave up his life, witnessed to Jesus. The crown of righteousness—presented to those who fight a good fight and love the appearance of our Lord. 2Timothy 4: 6-8. The crown everlasting—given to those who keep their body in submission. 1Corinthians 9: 25. I am sure that there are many more, but this thought comes to mind. These crowns will not be our possessions because we will freely cast them at the feet of our Savior when we see him. You don’t need a crown to get to heaven, but what if I am standing there with nothing to throw.
Too often today, Christians are content merely being in the race rather than diligently paying the price to win. It’s like we are coming here every week just hoping to get a participation trophy. I have read the Bible through many times, and I have never seen a participation crown. This was a foreign idea to Paul. Every Christian should strive to win, just as the victor did in the Grecian games. The world tells us that in order to be fair we must tone down our faith and be so very careful not to offend others. There is nothing offensive about being in it to win it. Just the opposite, I believe that it is offensive to God for us to take this blessing of salvation for granted and do nothing with the wonderful gift that he has blessed us with.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Bob
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