1 Corinthians 9
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 9
How hard are you willing to work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out?
In our passage, we see that Paul was not going to let anything hinder his ability to tell others about Jesus. This is seen in two ways:
And the reason Paul fought so hard to get the Gospel out was because he had an “eternal prize” that he was striving for. He wanted others to have this prize too.
I want to ask again: how hard are you willing to work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out? What are you willing to give up?
Sometimes we limit our abilities because we tell ourselves that we cannot do something. We think to ourselves, “I’m not the best communicator so I could never share Jesus with someone” or “I don’t know enough”. But I want to charge you today: YOU CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL. God has given you His Spirit. He has given people around you to help you. You just have to be willing to do it.
But sometimes we need a little motivation. I have attached a clip from a movie called “Facing The Giants”. It’s a great movie, and this scene will make you want to storm Hell with a water pistol.
By: Brice Stockton
Read: 1 Corinthians 9
How hard are you willing to work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out?
In our passage, we see that Paul was not going to let anything hinder his ability to tell others about Jesus. This is seen in two ways:
- Paul was not going to let material possessions stop him from preaching the Gospel (v. 14-15a). Paul had every right to demand material possessions from people so he could be more available to preach. But that is not what he wanted. He says in verse 18 that his pay is being able to share the Gospel.
- Paul was not going to let his identity stop him from preaching the Gospel (v. 19-23). The ESV says, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (v. 22). Paul was willing to do whatever it took to share the Gospel with people.
And the reason Paul fought so hard to get the Gospel out was because he had an “eternal prize” that he was striving for. He wanted others to have this prize too.
I want to ask again: how hard are you willing to work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out? What are you willing to give up?
Sometimes we limit our abilities because we tell ourselves that we cannot do something. We think to ourselves, “I’m not the best communicator so I could never share Jesus with someone” or “I don’t know enough”. But I want to charge you today: YOU CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL. God has given you His Spirit. He has given people around you to help you. You just have to be willing to do it.
But sometimes we need a little motivation. I have attached a clip from a movie called “Facing The Giants”. It’s a great movie, and this scene will make you want to storm Hell with a water pistol.
By: Brice Stockton
5 Comments
One of my greatest sports movies or rather any movie to watch. Why? This particular scene reminded me of so many scriptures; Isaiah 41:10, Romans 15:5, 1Thess. 5:11, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 12:2, and. Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me". Thanks Brice for sharing your thoughts and this clip.
16c) How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!
Great word today Brice! This part of verse 16 caught my attention today. Have you ever talked with someone who has just seen a great movie or thrilling sports event and they gushed with excitement telling you about it and how it impacted them? We have all experienced this and perhaps been the person telling the story. Imagine having this experience, bottling it up, and never telling anyone about it. Unimaginable right? All of us who have been transformed by Christ have a story to tell. We don't need a masters or PhD in theology to share our story. If we are spending time in the word and learning basic scriptures like those in Prepare To Share, we are equipped to enthusiastically tell our story. Praise God CPC is a church that places a strong emphasis on evangelism, discipleship, and preparing to share our story of life change. Thanks again for the commentary Brice.
Thank you! This was convicting. I think sometimes I find it a little easier to do something hard that's just for a short time. But if God has called me to live a hard LIFE, in a number of different ways, to advance the Gospel to those around me ... that's a little more challenging. The long haul can get tough. But it's helpful to remember that Jesus came to us for the long haul. He set aside the full capabilities of His deity to live in love as a real human with us on planet earth. It wasn't just 10 minutes or an hour or a few days or a year. It was thirty-three years! I mean, that's over a year longer than my entire life so far - and definitely longer than any trial I've ever experienced! He bore the hard for the long haul because He loved us and wanted to share Heaven with is. Do I love God enough, do I love my family & friends & everyone else enough, to bear the hard stuff He's called me to and to do it for the long haul?
I have many good and godly friends who would express a sentiment that pastor/ teachers should earn their own living outside of church, not be paid much (or perhaps at all) for being a church leader. They decry the abuse or the neglect by leadership -- and such things should be remedied -- but Paul handles this subject masterfully and at such length that it is exhaustive: those who proclaim the gospel, get their living from the gospel, (v.14).
We thank members of the military and first responders, who are paid little, for their extraordinary sacrificial service, and we should do that. Such sacrifice is great, but also temporal.
Church leaders have a much more serious role to play, their actions have eternal consequences, and temporal also -- as the gospel is to be preached in and out of season. Therefore, run in a way that you may win the imperishable prize of Christ. Look to the finish line, the goal, the prize, not distracted by your surroundings. He makes it all worthwhile!
Amen. We need a heart to find common ground with people in order to share their gospel. It's all for the eternal prize, and I love the reminder from Paul as an athlete. As I discipline myself in training, i need t do the same in my faith walk. Jesus help me!