If you are running a race, run to win. Paul also says the ox is worth feeding. Take a look.
1 Corinthians 9: Paul Surrenders His Rights
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 This is my defence to those who would examine me.
4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the ploughman should plough in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Things to think about…
1. How should we understand the freedom that we have in Christ? Paul in 1Cor 9:1-8 Paul speaks of Cephas (Peter) having a wife. Paul did not. Paul and Barnabas continued to labour with their hands to support their ministry. This was their freedom, but also their choice for the sake of the gospel. He also speaks of their freedom in eating and drinking. The reason why he refrained from certain foods, and from taking a wife as well as continuing to build tents while preaching is so that he could present the gospel in the best way he could. He did not want finances, a wife or his diet cause any offense or drain of time from the gospel. This is not for everyone as even our Lord says, Mt 19:12, but we must all consider our witness before others as we share God’s word with a lost world.
2. Paul’s whole point in 1Cor 9 is that those who preach the gospel should live by it. There must be wisdom with all of this of course. Some churches are so small they cannot afford to keep a pastor. Such was the case when I first came to Chuwar. Spurgeon used to receive food and produce from his first pastorate as the church was quite poor. This is all the church could afford. The Lord has blessed with the gospel and outreach of the church. Paul is saying in this chapter that if you benefit from the teaching or other ministries of the church and therefore you are obliged to support the ministers of the church. I don’t mind being compared to an ox, 1Cor 9:9. If you are being fed by my crushing out of the spiritual grain, please consider what allows me and the other ministries of the church to minister the gospel.
3. Let’s make sure we are not wasting our time on this earth. Be like the well-trained runner or boxer, 1Cor 9:24-27. Paul says he is not running to lose. He is running to win the prize. Just like a boxer, he doesn’t want to hit thin air, he wants to hit the face of his opponent. That’s how you win as we are seeing in the Olympic games going on in Paris. Let’s hit the face of sin and Satan with good bible knowledge and a holy life in the Spirit, in order to win our prize.
4. We live in an age where there is a lack of self-discipline. Paul says that he disciplines his body and brings it under control lest so that after preaching to others, that he does not become disqualified, 1Cor 9:27. Be disciplined in your calling as a Christian – read God’s word regularly, pray, go to church and spend time with God’s people, serve in a ministry that suits your gifting.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Young adult Life group – This week – how do we know the bible is God’s word?
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR.
2. Pray for Pastor Ric who is still recovering from his fall.
3. Keep praying for Anna and the PlaygPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
5. Pray for peace over the US elections
6. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
7. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
8. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
9. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
10. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
11. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Ric and yesterday’s ministry and new folk arriving at CBC.
2. Praise God for all the work done at the working bee on Saturday. Great effort.
3. Praise God for our Bean Redeemed Café team! Serving you every week
4. Reconciliation beginning in some areas in estranged families
5. Worship team did a great job.
6. Praise God for young people stepping up in a number of ministries.
7. New people helping with Playgroup.
8. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Ron Naylor – Creation Ministries International coming to CBC on the 18th Aug 6pm
2. Members meeting 25th Aug after morning tea.
3. Monday and Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6:30pm
4. Young adults meeting at Kholo Gardens for lunch next week.
5. Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for August...
Q. 23. What is meant by transgression? A. Doing what God forbids.
