1 Corinthians 9:1-5

                                                                     1 Corinthians 9:1-5

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 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.This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 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?

As we look back on the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul, we stand in awe of all God accomplished through him and the work of the Spirit in Him.  He is clearly a hero of the faith and is respected as an example to all of us of what a disciple should be.  However, it seems that he did not enjoy this same status while he was still alive and serving.  This should be a comfort to all of us who face trials and criticism in our efforts to serve the Lord.  No matter what people may think of us today, history, and, more importantly, God knows our hearts and the motives behind all we do.

 

PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE THE LEGITIMACY OF PAUL’S MINISTRY: The validity of any ministry is always in the people who are transformed through its efforts.  Corinth was a sinful place with all kinds of immorality and idolatry as a part of the culture.  God used Paul’s ministry to plant a church in that city that became an important part of the advance of the Gospel in the region.  Any doubt about the legitimacy of his ministry should be quieted by the existence of that church in that place.  The fact that Paul felt the need to defend his apostolic authority to this body of believers is instructive to us.  No matter how effective or impactful our efforts may be, there will always be people who question and doubt these things. 

 

SACRIFICE DESCRIBES THE LIMITATIONS OF PAUL’S LIBERTY: Paul repeatedly taught that as believers we are free to eat, drink and get married.  However, Paul also taught that for the sake of the Gospel it was best to limit ourselves in these liberties.  Paul was willing to sacrifice these things so that there would be no stumbling blocks to others or distractions from his Gospel priorities.  Too often the Gospel seems to take a back seat in our list of priorities.  Our comfort and entertainment fill so much of our time, take up so many of our resources and distract us from the priorities that God has for our lives.  Paul did not allow this to take place in his life.

 

APPLICATION: Never forget that the ministry is about people.  Spend time and effort ministering God’s Word to God’s people.  Don’t allow the distractions of this world to fill your time, take your energy and use up your resources.

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