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 plowman should plow 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…
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 us with 2 more staff to help with the ministry and outreach of the church. Paul is saying in this chapter that if you benefit from the teaching or other ministries of the church 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 grain, please consider what keeps me and the other ministries of the church going. Moo!!
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 the opponent he is boxing against. That’s how you win. 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.
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, serve in a ministry that suits your gifting.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon and reading topic for this week – Sermon “Proclaiming Christ”
Reading – 1 Corinthians 2
1. How would you describe your present level/ability/fervency of witnessing your faith in Christ at the moment?
2. Doug mentioned that in order to effectively witness and share our faith we have to know Who and what we are talking about. The only way this can happen is if we are disciplined in reading God’s Word every day. Describe your current bible study/reading program. Please subscribe to the Chuwar Baptist devotions page if you have not so already. The same bible study program is on our website under RAPP Ups – Reading and prayer point Updates. www.chuwarbaptist.com . This program goes through the OT once and the NT twice every 3 years. Sundays sermons follow the weeks readings.
3. The other thing Doug mentioned was our prayer life. God reveals things to us by the Spirit we pray - “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”, Rom 8:26. Discuss this verse and what it means. as well as your current bible reading and prayer life.
4. Our witnessing must not just surround the fact that we go to a good church, listen to great music, preaching, etc. Paul says that we proclaim Christ and Him crucified, 1Cor 2:2. Explain why the cross and the resurrection are vital components of any witnessing done in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
2. Term break up for Kids@church and Recharge Youth this week.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Sunday’s message from 1Cor 12, 14 - “Receiving your gift” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Doug’s message on Sunday. Doug also handled the sound issues. Thankyou Melinda for managing the desk on Sunday
2. New cell groups.
3. Praise and worship – thanks Rod, Rin, Molley, Riley, Zac, great job.
4. Finances are picking up.
Announcements
1. The Amazing race - Recharge final week before breakup – 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday at church. $2 coin donation. Melinda Fourie heading up this ministry.
2. Men’s brekky TBA. But will be down at Colleges Crossing within the next month or so on a Saturday morning.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
