Tag: 1st Corinthians 9

Winning as many as possible!

Posted in 1st and 2nd Corinthians - July 18, 2016 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for July 18th:  1st Corinthians 9

Key Scriptures for over-comers:  1st Corinthians 9:19, 22-23  “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” . . .  “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I might share in its blessings.”  

Paul’s heart was to win the lost–both Jew and Gentile!  He was trained by the Lord to be a fisher of men and sought to be wise in reaching each person with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He tried to relate to each person by understanding their culture and seeking God’s wisdom in how to reach them.  His highest desire was to please the Lord and fulfill the “Great Commission”.  He knew that the Lord would reward him when He returned!

Observations for over-comers:  Over-comers keep their focus on fulfilling the instructions from Jesus to win souls and make disciples looking for Jesus as their reward.  “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:  some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2-3)

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Running to win!

Posted in Pauline epistles--BibleTrekToday - July 17, 2015 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for July 17th:  1st Corinthians 9

Some people at Corinth were questioning the methods of Paul and Barnabas as apostles of Christ.  Paul was trying to help them understand how in his freedom in Christ, he sought to serve all men in order to reach them with the Gospel.  He and Barnabas certainly had their ‘rights’ to earn a living from preaching the Gospel.  Those that were helped or converted should give support to those who minister.  “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”  (Deuteronomy 25:4; 1st Corinthians 9:9)

But Paul chose to limit his freedoms and rights so as not to hinder the Gospel message.  “But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.”  (1st Corinthians 9:12)  Paul preached the gospel voluntarily because of his calling from Christ.  He wanted to offer it free of charge instead of receiving support.  “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  . . . I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”  (1st Corinthians 9:22-23)  God would repay him and the souls saved would be his reward!

Paul likened his life as a missionary to a man running in a race.  “Do you know that in a race all the runners urn, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize!”  (1st Corinthians 9:24)  The prize for Paul was a crown of life that would last forever!  He would run the race of faithful preaching to win the ultimate prize!  Are you running to win in your race?

 

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