1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Prize of the High Calling

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  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.  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.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

After Paul's conversion, he immediately went to the desert for three years to learn from the Holy Spirit the whole counsel of God.  Of course, he understood because of his education as a Pharisee that the earth was made for man, and God had placed man in the center of his will on earth: Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:25-27)  Paul also understood that the "likeness" of God in man had been corrupted by sin.  Rather than doing right, what was good and perfect on Earth, man chose to act out his self-will, falling into darkness and sin.  Paul, the Pharisee, understood all of this, but what he did not understand and needed to learn was the redemptive act of God through Jesus Christ.  He did not know that God came to Earth in the form of a man: Jesus Christ, God's Son.  In the desert, Paul learned from the Holy Spirit that redemption was nigh to anyone who would receive salvation by faith.  He learned eternal life was based on believing the Word of God that is present with every believer through the Holy Spirit.  Paul learned the meaning of the Old Testament reference that he shared with the Romans: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  (Romans 10:8-9)   Paul's direction changed forever in that desert.  He fully experienced Christ and rejected his own self-righteousness, desiring only an intimate Savior to commune with him daily.  Paul realized through faith he was a new creature in Christ, living forever in the family of God.  Paul knew his religious life won him no favor with God.  He believed the message the Pharisee Nicodemus heard from Jesus: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  (John 3:5-8)  Paul knew to run the race for a lasting crown: A MAN OR A WOMAN MUST BE BORN AGAIN BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

As a Pharisee, as a zealot for God, Paul understood total commitment to God.  He persecuted and killed the Christians for the religion he passionately served.  He honored God with all his being in everything he did.  Paul knew the prophets served God with their whole lives; therefore, as a faithful Pharisee, he wanted to serve God with all his mind and strength.  He was running to win the prize as he knew it, favor with God.  When Paul came before King Agrippa, he gave his credentials as a Jew: “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.  They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.  (Acts 26:4-5)  But Paul the Pharisee was running in the wrong way for the prize of God.  He was running as a natural man would run, placing all his confidence on his human ability, his great effort, to win the prize.  He did not understand Jesus had won the ultimate prize for him, eternal life.  In the desert, schooled by the Holy Spirit, Paul recognized  Jesus Christ and his life as everything in this race.  Even a young child with little strength to perform physical feats can win this race by taking the hand of Jesus who said: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  (Matthew 19:14)  As we put our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit continues to shape us in his image.  Let us make man in our likeness.  As a Pharisee, Paul understood the fall of mankind, the need for sacrifices for sins.  In his flesh, Paul tried to please God, to conform to God's righteousness, by his own acts of righteousness.  But when he met Jesus, he realized eternal life comes only through faith in Christ's death on the cross.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."(Matthew 3:16-18)  

Paul's zeal to win God's favor through his own efforts disqualified him for the prize.  But his willingness to place his life in God's hands qualifies him for a crown that will last forever and God's free gift of eternal life.  Why then does Paul say emphatically, No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  He is a slave to whom?  Himself!  For what purpose?  To finish the course for the One who has called him.  The winner is the one who finishes the race.  We read earlier in this chapter that Paul said he was willing to go without support from the Corinthian church for the sake of the gospel.  Even though he had a right to ask for money, he said, On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.  If he must put up with anything so that some might learn of Christ, he would do so.  If he must consider the needs of others over his own, let that happen for the gospel to go forward.  Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  No matter the cost to his ego and body, he determined to preach the "good news."  He had to finish the course, regardless of the price to himself.  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone.  (1Corinthians 9:12, 16, 19)  Paul knew he possessed eternal life within him, but he also knew he had to fight the good fight by revealing the love of God.  He became everything to all men so that some could find the grace of God.  This was a daily struggle for Paul.  He laments his position of servanthood to God in several places as a man who has suffered.  He was stoned, beaten, and threatened by men for serving Christ.  Yet, he tells the church in Philippi: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV)  As we read in today's scriptures, Paul presses on to get a crown that will last forever.  He continually reminds himself: I must reveal God and his selfless love to the world.  As I am beaten, as I am going without, as I am disrespected, the world will see Christ through me.  Is this our lives?  Chances are we will never face what Paul faced, but are we willing to face conflict or despair?  Are we able to let someone else take advantage of us and not retaliate?  Are we going to forgive and not to get even when we are wounded or misunderstood?  How are we running the race today?  The prize awaits us.     

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Be All Things To All People!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the 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.  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.  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 this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Although we looked at verse 19 last week, we included it with this week's passage because of its close connection with the rest of the verses we are considering today.  Even though Paul knows he is a free man in Christ, belonging to no master on this earth, he willingly makes himself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To reach a person with the "Good News" that Christ has come to save sinners, Paul identifies with people completely, taking on their situations in life, their understanding of the world, their outlook on God.  Paul is willing to lose himself completely that he might fully empathize with another person and bring that individual to salvation.  He begins by saying: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  And he follows this by saying he came to those under the law in the same manner.  Paul undoubtedly would find the Jewish identity and understanding of those under the law two of the easiest circumstances to appreciate because as he said to the church in Philippi: If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.  (Philippians 3:4-6)  With such a background, Paul easily could preach salvation to the Jews and to those bound by the law.  His awareness and remembrances of his life as a Pharisee outside of Christ would give his actions authenticity with those he tried to convert to the Lord.  Of course, full of God's loving kindness and the Holy Spirit, Paul would have been able to come to the weak and the weary with grace and mercy, for their needs would have touched him.  Also, he knew he served a loving Savior who wept over Jerusalem and who said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  (Matthew 11:28-30)

Paul could have named many groups of people that he ministered to during his life.  Certainly, he could have included the broad category of the Gentiles, the main people Paul was called to evangelize.  God made this calling clear when He saved Paul.  When Ananias did not want to go pray for Saul (Paul), the Lord said to him, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  (Acts 9:15-16)  But Paul did not have to explain this part of his ministry to the Corinthian church.  They were the recipients of the gospel through Paul; they understood his ability to become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  They experienced the love and correction of a spiritual father through Paul, even in this letter.  In his introduction to the people, we read Paul's commendation of their faith and his mention of imparting his testimony to them: I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge — because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.  (1 Corinthians 1:4-6)  Yet the same teacher in Christ who praises them quickly turns to pointing out that he has heard of problems in the church: My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  (1 Corinthians 1:11)  Paul deals with this issue and others in his message of encouragement and discipline.  As a loving father, he did not ignore the dysfunctions in the church but brought them to the light, believing God for the answers.  Paul planted a number of churches in the Gentile world, and he kept in touch with them through letters and by sending representatives to bring them his words of faith.  In all of his letters, we find the same combination.   First he praises the church for following Jesus, for taking up the cross and dying to the flesh.  Then we see the strong words, pointing the church to a life led by the Spirit on the path prepared by the Lord, avoiding all worldly pursuits.

Paul writes that he works with people for the sake of the gospel, that (he) may share in its blessings.  Truly, Paul understands that no price is too great for the gospel to go forth.  He also knows when people are added to the kingdom, heaven and Earth rejoice.  Paul enjoys the blessings of knowing Christ and seeing the family of God grow.  He experiences joy and satisfaction, knowing he follows his Lord's leading.  Of course, his pathway is not smooth.  We read of his many trials, yet his joy remains: But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.  (Philippians 2:17-18)  Paul does not find his peace in the suffering he experiences but in the relationship he has established with his Savior and Lord.  Part of the blessing of sharing the gospel message is knowing Christ and knowing He is guiding your life.  We once had a good friend who taught school as Dad did.  This friend attended church regularly but struggled with his faith, knowing he did not have a real personal relationship with God.  Dad and he played tennis together.  And we met with him and his wife in Bible studies.  We openly challenged him to look at the Bible to see who Jesus really was and to consider the Holy Spirit and the impact He could make in his life.  Our friend was hungry and confused but not ready to make a decision for Christ.  His analytical mind kept him from a leap of faith.  One day we received a phone call from our friend.  He wanted us to know he was born again.  While attending a class at Whitworth University, he was sitting on a bench, feeling very low, and a young woman approached him and shared her faith with him.  She told him she would go to her dorm and pray for him, and he should pray as well for salvation.  He did as she said, and he met the Lord in a powerful way.  He called us as soon as he came home because he said we were the only people he knew for sure were saved.  He also thanked us for praying for him for a number of years, but he added that when he met with us, he either did not understand what we were talking about or he totally disagreed.  That comment made us really laugh.  All those good words we said, and that was his response.  But God did the work anyway, and our friend knew who we were and wanted what we had.  Find someone in your life and share the gospel message with them.  They may not understand you or embrace you, but the Holy Spirit is still powerful to save!       

1 Corinthians 9:15-19 Trusted With The Gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:15-19  But I have not used any of these rights.  And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me.  I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.  Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.  What then is my reward?  Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Paul begins chapter 9 with the rhetorical question: Am I not free?  (verse 1)  Obviously, he asks this to imply that he is free and follows up with other questions that reveal the realities of who he is by faith.  He knows Jesus Christ has set him free to do as he wishes in his freedom, and he is not obligated to any man for any reason other than to fulfill God's will.  However, he knows God has put demands on his life as an apostle of the gospel.  Consequently, he is not free to do just anything that he chooses in the flesh.  God has set him free to do kingdom work by spreading the "Good News" of Jesus Christ, and his redemptive, healing power, to all people everywhere.  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  Paul has manacled himself to Jesus Christ and his will.  As Jesus said to his Father, ". . .not my will, but yours be done," so did Paul commit his life to the Lord.  Paul knew his life had been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ.  He was not to live his life, but the life of Jesus Christ IN HIM.  Paul explained this well to the church in Galatia: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20)  Of course, we know Paul heard these words of commitment and servanthood on the day of his conversion: "

I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.  ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.  I have appeared to you to appoint you AS A SERVANT AND AS A WITNESS of what you have seen of me and what I will show you."

  (Acts 26:15, 16)  On that day, Paul was set free from anything that would bind him to sin or this world, for he was baptized and set apart by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.  From that day on he became a member of God's own family, as an adopted son, with freedom from sin and the fleshly pursuits of this world in his soul.  However, as a child of God, he had an obligation to free others from sin and eternal death.  Even though free, he became subject to the will and the leading of God. 

All of us who are now IN CHRIST were once deep into the slavery of sin and death.  Our fleshly lives were dead in sins and trespasses, but because of the grace and mercy of God, we have been set free to live Christ's life of righteousness and purity through us.  

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  (Ephesians 2:4-7) 

 

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  We were on a pathway to death; now we are headed for life in our eternal home with our adopted family.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22-23)  A "set free" life is not a life spent for self, but for God.  We often forget the obligation we have to God to yield totally to him.  However, the Spirit of God in us reminds us through the Word of God and through others that we have a purpose in life greater than our own fleshly wants and desires.  We are to image God and to tell others about this wonderful salvation that we possess.  People need to know that God has come in a very personal way to help us live this life.  They need to know that salvation brings the Spirit of God into lives.  As the Spirit resides in people, He becomes counselor, comforter, and advocate in this difficult world, a world that will not sustain readily spiritual lives, lives of faith.  Paul 's mission in life was to bring this "good news" to the world.  He willingly was everything to everyone to fulfill the commission that Jesus had given him on the road to Damascus.  As we continue to read this letter, we will see where Paul said he was willing to become all things to all people that he might by any means save some of them.  This was his total  commitment to his Lord.

What commission do we fulfill today dear breakfast companions?  How easy it is for us to attend to other purposes than the plans and the call of God in our lives.  How easy for us to display our self-willed, self-absorbed attitudes and choices.  If we do not intentionally seek first the kingdom of God, Christ's message of salvation for all men will be diluted by the way we live our lives.  Do we live mainly for the pleasures of this world or do we focus on imaging Christ?  Do our words express God's goodness and grace to the world or are we critical and judgmental?  Do we display God's characteristics or are we displaying our own personalities, desires, and foibles?  Paul was a slave to Christ's purposes.  Are we slaves to Christ's plans or have we skewed the gospel so much that our form of Christianity accommodates our worldly lives?  All of these questions must be considered daily in our walk with God.  In this Twenty-first Century, we can easily bind ourselves to an electronic world, a world of separation and self-fulfillment, forgetting God's free gift to us is life eternal.  Christ came to give life, real life, to anyone who would hear and accept his words.  Paul reminded Timothy of the faith of his mother and grandmother and his own faith, and told him not to become complacent.  

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

  Are we sold out to Jesus, a slave to this ministry of Christ, or are we living for ourselves, with at best a tangental relationship to God.  Do we allow him to touch our lives only when we desire him to do so?  Such an existence is not the life of a servant, a love slave.  A lukewarm love mocks the Word of God.  God did not offer his only Son to be only a part of us.  He wants all of us when we commit to him.  His attitude, desires, and plans should be ours.  As we wake up in the morning, we give the day to our Father.  When we close the day in prayer, we thank him for the day.  Paul, a Christian, saw himself as A SLAVE TO THE GOSPEL BUT NO LONGER A SLAVE TO SIN.  Are we slaves, bond servants to our Lord?  Most of us around this table love the Lord.  Perhaps this morning He is calling us closer.  Certainly, He reminds us that in view of his great love, can we give less than all we have, all we are!