1 Corinthians 9 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 [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 defense 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 certainly speak 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. ________________ “examine me.” Paul had a clear calling and direction for his life. “you will be my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” He met Christ, got saved, started preaching, people were amazed, Christ was magnified… Acts 9:26 9: He was met with skepticism. He attempted to join, but they didn’t let him in. When we truly follow Christ, we will be met with opposition. Luke 6:22 [22] “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Exclude. Paul, who had lived out this verse against Christians for years since Stephen’s murder, now experiences a portion of it. Paul met opposition because of his faith. Not just in this verse, but for the remainder of his life and in the fullness of Jesus’ warning. From whom? Three Opposers of Faith 1. Satan - the enemy of God buffets, attacks, means to steal, kill and destroy. 2. Our own flesh - at war against the Spirit, has to be crucified daily, because it wakes up hungry and thirsty not for righteousness, but for self-satisfaction. 3. People. Most human opposition comes from those outside the family of God. But at times, opposition comes from fellow members in the body of Christ. Responding to Opposition and Criticism Big Ideas: 1. Criticism and opposition will come 2. How to address the critic and the opposer 3. The reward of faithful obedience Sometimes, opposition can be welcome. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Good, Christ-centered biblical accountability at times may feel like opposition. Discipleship is at times abrasive. True spiritual growth happens by the Spirit of God, through the word of God, amongst the people of God, over time. God’s people are instrumental in our walk. Accountability, care, counsel, community, togetherness, and more are all beautiful pieces found in the body of Christ. But sometimes people are just critical. This is not new to the people of God. Men and Women all throughout scripture received pushback and opposition from skeptics, critics, and the enemy. Clarity. We’re not going to talk about persecution. When someone disagrees with your point of view or beliefs, you’re not being persecuted. For some reason we think that’s persecution. It’s not. How do we clarify our calling, rebut rumors, and address accusations in a way that brings glory to God and honors His people? [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 defense to those who would examine me. Human nature is quick to judge and question. Criticism and Accusation Against Paul? 1. He wasn’t a true apostle. 2. His teaching was judgmental and legalistic. How do we handle the skeptic and the opposer? Do we address or ignore it? Proverbs 19:11 [11] Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Sometimes we can peacefully overlook criticism and opposition. Proverbs says so. Other times we must address it. Wisdom would always be to pray psalm 139 in situations like this. Because none of us is perfect. None of us hear right 100% of the time. None of us is beyond correction and growth opportunities. “God help me grow through this opposition. Father, reveal in me any way that grieves you, or is simply unwise or premature.” Let the crucible of others criticism neither consume you, leaving you discouraged and defeated, nor bounce off of you, missing an opportunity for growth. When unity amongst the body is at stake, or the purity of the gospel is on the line, or the skepticism or criticism or opposition is leading others astray, I believe biblically we owe it to that person and the body at large to address it. Not in a way that leads to condemnation, but accountability and truth and let the Holy Spirit convict and sanctify. How did Paul respond to critics of his calling as an apostle? 1. He did not seek man’s approval. [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 Galatians 1:10–12 [10] For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. [11] For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. [12] For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul knew he would suffer and meet opposition, and that there would be pushback from critics. Jesus told him he would learn to suffer for the sake of Christ and His gospel. Some would accept it, others would not. Both regarding his calling and also the word of God he taught. Jesus said that if they persecuted him, they would persecute us. He was criticized, accused, persecuted first. In that we have comfort that he’s gone before us. 2. He reminded the Church of how he was called. Paul brought clarity and accountability, reminding them of their history together, and recognizing that it wasn’t men he was trying to please or appease, but only the Lord. He reminded them of the fruit which came from his apostleship amongst them, not to boast, but to remind. How did Paul respond to critics of his message? 1. With biblical evidence 2. With vision Up to this point in his letter, Paul has addressed some messy issues in the church. Sinful issues such as idolatry, fornication, division, divorce, lawsuits, causing a brother or sister in Christ to stumble because of rights. In response? Criticism. Our defense mechanisms are real. It’s the first place we go. Since the garden, mankind has been passing the buck. ‘She gave it to me to eat!’ ‘The serpent told me to do it!’ When we are exposed, caught, or challenged, it’s natural to go on the defensive. And far too often in defense of ourselves, we throw another under the bus. Paul saw a need to not overlook these criticisms, but address them, and address them publicly. 1 Corinthians 9:4–7 [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? (ESV) “He taught us about grace and the freedom we have in Christ to eat and drink freely, and now he’s doubling back telling us not to? What’s with this guy!? He’s probably only in it for the money.” It is so easy to assume the worst in people. It’s so easy to judge and question motives. We all do it. We’ve been asking the question ‘why’ since we were 3 years old, and we like to make up our own answers to why someone else acts, especially when they do or say something which feels personal to us. This section has a subtitle of Paul Surrenders His Rights. Paul outlines in the following verses three Christian liberties he and the other apostles have, ultimately to draw peoples vision up higher than religion and onto relationship. Meat: 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 [23] “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. [24] Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (ESV) “I’m not saying don’t eat meat. What I am saying is seek the good of your neighbor over your own comfort. That’s what God’s kids look like. Considerate.” Paul has the right to eat and drink, but willingly gives up this right as it may hinder another person from receiving the gospel or falling back into sinful behaviors. High vision: the glory of God and the good of His people. Marriage: Money: Examples? -Animals -Don’t muzzle the ox while he treads the grain. It is allowed to reap from its labor. -Soldiers -They don’t buy their own armor and serve at their own expense. -Farmers -They partake of their harvest and crop. -Shepherds -They drink some of the milk -Temple workers -Eat from the sacrificial offerings and get paid -Evangelists (Jesus’ command) -Jesus said the one who shares the gospel should get their living by it. Multiple examples to remind the church that his compensation was a right biblically. Yet he refused to take a paycheck. His laying aside of these rights is not a model for all other ministers to follow, but intended to show the reason and motive for his calling. The gospel. Preaching the gospel without hindrance. If motive is money, it is wrong. [15] But I have made no use of any of these rights, I personally have chosen to not take a wife, an income from the church, and have controlled my appetite… nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. This letter is not to guilt you into giving to me, or to gain anything from you. [16] 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. Paul's reward is his call to preach the gospel. Money isn’t eternal. Marriage either. Nor is food. But souls…that’s his aim and reward. Knowing that he has made a difference in eternity for others. Philippians 3:7–11 [7] But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—[10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV) Take Aways 1. How do you respond to opposition and criticism? 2. What has the Lord called you too which you feel discouraged in because of criticism?