Self Denial for the Sake of the Gospel The difference between a good and great runner is how willing they are to be uncomfortable - Kyle Robbins The god of America is comfort What do I mean by that? If we are comfortable we no longer see our need for a God, We have a good house, a job, family is healthy. We are comfortable and replace God with it. Hear me.. this is a Physical comfort not a spiritual comfort But yet Jesus told us we would hated and be persecuted. That doesn't sound comfortable… well at least to the definition we given the word comfortable John 15:20 (NLT) 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 2 Timothy 3:10–12 (NLT) 10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Paul was Stoned in Lystra Acts 14:19 (NLT) 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. It’s amazing what you will tolerate when you get used to it We can get comfortable with sin in our life when it slowly creeps in. We have made Comfort our god and that is what we seek instead on self-denial for the sake of the Gospel. Where does this leave us? Big Ideas: - Where do I find my rest? - Where did Jesus find His Rest? -What is holding me back from the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 (NLT) 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NLT) 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. Paul is bringing the idea he started in chapter 8 about if what I eat causes another believer to stumble I will never eat it again. Am I free to eat anything of course, but I would give it up. Now Paul is taking that idea and bringing it to what it takes to reach the lost. I am free, but I am free for a reason. Galatians 5:13–14 (NLT) 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Paul is saying I am free, but I give that up for the sake of others - Love your Neighbor as yourself. 3 groups of People • Jews/Those under the law • Those not under the law • The Weak But that doesn't fit my lifestyle, I am free, I accepted the Gospel to be free and to make my life more comfortable. Before I even get into the 3 people groups he was trying to bring to Christ its important to redefine comfort and rest. Luke 4:1–4 (NLT) 1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:5–8 (NLT) 5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Offers Jesus ALL the kingdoms and authority over them, hmm that sounds like another verse I know. Matthew 28:18 (NLT) 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. This is after the cross and the resurrection. But see the devil tried to offer what God had already planned. But Gods plan was better, but it came at a cost. It wasn’t easy, it was uncomfortable. Jesus Found rest in the Word and Promise of God. He didn’t choose comfort over the truth. Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT) 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” He is saying God standards haven’t changed, but with me you are no longer just trying to be self- righteous, you are Yoked with me, and I have taken the heavy burden the Sin that was owed. We aren’t free to just be free, He takes our burdens, He is my rest. The Jews- Law followers 1 Corinthians 9:20 (NLT) 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. Matthew 5:17 (NLT) 17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. Matthew 5:20 (NLT) 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! No slide Reference to Paul doing this in his life. Acts 21:20–26 (NLT) 20After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously. 21But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. 22What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23“Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. 24Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws. 25“As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” 26So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them. The Gentiles - Lawless 1 Corinthians 9:21 (NLT) 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. Galatians 5:13–14 (NLT) 13For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 10:45 (NLT) 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Weak 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT) 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 2:3–5 (NLT) 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. God choose you and you were not wise; I came to you and spoke plain so that you could understand and come to Christ. I relied not by my wisdom, but I humbled myself and spoke what the Holy spirit told me too. 1 Corinthians 9:23 (NLT) 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. What does comfort of this world this physical comfort distract us from?... The Gospel…. Our need for God.