Joyful Sacrifice: Advancing the Gospel Together

Devotional

Day 1: Supporting Gospel Workers with Generosity

Those who preach the gospel have the right to be supported by those they serve. Paul uses examples from everyday life, the law of Moses, and the teachings of Jesus to establish this principle. However, he chooses not to exercise this right to avoid any obstacles to the gospel. This challenges us to consider how we support those who labor in the gospel and whether we are participating in this work through our giving. Paul’s example encourages us to reflect on our own contributions and the ways we can support the mission of spreading the gospel. [23:12]

1 Timothy 5:17-18 (ESV): "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'"

Reflection: How can you intentionally support someone in ministry this week, whether through financial means, encouragement, or prayer?

Day 2: Sacrificing Personal Rights for the Gospel

Paul willingly sacrifices his rights to ensure that nothing hinders the spread of the gospel. This self-denial is not a burden but a joy for him. We are called to examine our own rights and consider what we might lay down for the sake of the gospel, prioritizing the mission of advancing God's kingdom over our personal comforts. This perspective challenges us to evaluate our priorities and the ways we might be called to sacrifice for the greater good of sharing the gospel with others. [30:57]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: What is one personal right or comfort you can lay down this week to better serve others and advance the gospel?

Day 3: Finding Joy in Service

Paul finds joy in preaching the gospel free of charge, viewing it as a privilege rather than a burden. This attitude challenges us to reflect on our own service to God and whether we approach it with a sense of obligation or with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to serve. By embracing this mindset, we can transform our approach to ministry and service, seeing it as a gift rather than a duty. [34:24]

Psalm 100:2 (ESV): "Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to find joy in serving God and others this week, even in tasks that may seem mundane or challenging?

Day 4: Obedience to Our Calling

Paul emphasizes that preaching the gospel is a necessity laid upon him by God. This reminds us that we all have a calling in God's kingdom work, whether in full-time ministry or in our everyday lives. We are called to be obedient to this calling and to consider what cost we are willing to pay to advance the gospel. This obedience is not just about duty but about embracing the privilege of participating in God's work. [44:11]

Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to be more obedient to the calling God has placed on your life?

Day 5: Attitude Toward Our Calling

Our attitude toward our calling is crucial. Paul rejoices in his calling, viewing it as a privilege. We are encouraged to adopt a similar attitude, recognizing that serving God is a gift and an opportunity to participate in His work. This perspective can transform our approach to ministry and service, allowing us to serve with joy and gratitude. [48:12]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy in your current role or calling, seeing it as an opportunity to serve God and others?

Sermon Summary

Summary:

Today, we explored 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, where Paul discusses the rights and freedoms of believers, particularly those who preach the gospel. Paul uses various examples to illustrate that those who labor in the gospel have the right to be supported by those they serve. He draws from real-world examples, the law of Moses, and the teachings of Jesus to build a strong case for this right. However, Paul chooses not to exercise this right for himself, emphasizing that his top priority is advancing the gospel without any obstacles. He willingly sacrifices his rights to ensure that nothing hinders the spread of the gospel. This self-denial is not a burden for Paul; rather, he rejoices in the opportunity to preach the gospel free of charge. This attitude challenges us to consider our own rights and freedoms and how we might lay them down for the sake of the gospel. We are called to examine our participation in supporting the work of the gospel, both financially and through our lives. The ultimate question is what we are willing to sacrifice to ensure that others have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. Our rights and comforts are secondary to the mission of advancing God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. The Right to Support: Paul establishes that those who preach the gospel have the right to be supported by those they serve, using examples from everyday life, the law, and Jesus' teachings. However, he chooses not to exercise this right to avoid any obstacles to the gospel. This challenges us to consider how we support those who labor in the gospel and whether we are participating in this work through our giving. [23:12]
2. Sacrificing Rights for the Gospel: Paul willingly sacrifices his rights to ensure that nothing hinders the spread of the gospel. This self-denial is not a burden but a joy for him. We are called to examine our own rights and consider what we might lay down for the sake of the gospel, prioritizing the mission of advancing God's kingdom over our personal comforts. [30:57]
3. Joy in Service: Paul finds joy in preaching the gospel free of charge, viewing it as a privilege rather than a burden. This attitude challenges us to reflect on our own service to God and whether we approach it with a sense of obligation or with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to serve. [34:24]
4. The Call to Obedience: Paul emphasizes that preaching the gospel is a necessity laid upon him by God. This reminds us that we all have a calling in God's kingdom work, whether in full-time ministry or in our everyday lives. We are called to be obedient to this calling and to consider what cost we are willing to pay to advance the gospel. [44:11]
5. Attitude Toward Our Calling: Our attitude toward our calling is crucial. Paul rejoices in his calling, viewing it as a privilege. We are encouraged to adopt a similar attitude, recognizing that serving God is a gift and an opportunity to participate in His work. This perspective can transform our approach to ministry and service. [48:12]
** [48:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 9
[01:51] - Paul's Argument for Rights
[02:37] - The Law and Rights
[03:48] - Prayer and Worship
[06:44] - Rights and Freedoms in Christ
[09:49] - American Rights vs. Kingdom Priorities
[14:55] - Real-World Examples of Rights
[17:12] - The Law of Moses and Rights
[19:44] - Spiritual Sowing and Material Reaping
[23:12] - Support for Gospel Workers
[25:03] - Participating in Giving
[27:20] - Paul's Refusal of Rights
[29:51] - Avoiding Obstacles to the Gospel
[30:57] - Sacrificing Rights for the Gospel
[32:57] - Joy in Sacrifice
[34:24] - Paul's Joy in Free Preaching
[36:24] - The Cost of Advancing the Gospel
[37:42] - The Call to Obedience
[38:24] - God's Lavish Grace
[40:04] - Paul's Tentmaking and Sacrifice
[44:11] - Paul's Calling and Necessity
[45:31] - Paul's Reward in Preaching
[47:14] - Our Calling and Attitude
[48:12] - Conclusion and Challenge

Sermon Clips

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. But I have made no use 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. [00:02:42] (21 seconds)

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. 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 stupidity. [00:03:03] (23 seconds)

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. Let's bow our heads and pray together. Father, we come to you this morning in the mighty, mighty name of Jesus. [00:03:25] (22 seconds)

Paul says, listen, I'm not complaining about this, by the way. Paul's like, I just built this amazing case that proved to you that you should be giving and supporting the workers in the gospel. He says, now I've refused that, but I'm not grumbling about it. I'm not grumbling. I'm actually rejoicing. [00:33:24] (21 seconds)

Paul says, it's my joy. It's my joy. We're going to talk more about that in a few minutes, but the second part of this is, so why does Paul refuse? Number one, he doesn't want to put any obstacle in the way of the gospel. [00:34:24] (14 seconds)

Paul gloried and rejoiced in his ability to make this sacrifice. He did it gladly without any kind of complaining or grumbling because preaching the gospel was, but here's the thing, it wasn't just preaching the gospel that was the ground or basis of his rejoicing. He was actually rejoicing in the fact that he got to do it for nothing. [00:35:26] (24 seconds)

So my question for us this morning to wrestle with is if we are going to, if we are where are we willing to sacrifice our rights? Where are we willing to sacrifice our rights for the sake of the gospel? Because my rights and your rights are not our top priority. [00:36:22] (24 seconds)

I get to do this. Verse 18, Paul says, 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. I had a district superintendent when I was pastoring in the Christian Missionary Alliance who used to say this to us all the time at our district conferences. [00:46:33] (23 seconds)

And that's the solemn charge that Paul's talking about, this stewardship that has been given to him. But here's the point. Paul's attitude was not, I have to do this, but I get to do this. I get to do this. I get to preach the gospel. I get to lay down my life for people. I get to disciple people. [00:47:14] (24 seconds)

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