"i Do All This for the Sake of the Gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:19-27) | Daily Bread | IIT UBF

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"i Do All This for the Sake of the Gospel"

Date: Jun. 16, 2021

Passage

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (ESV)

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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:23

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1. To win people for the gospel (19-23)

The gospel had set Paul free. He belonged to no one. Yet, for the sake of the gospel, he made himself a slave to the gospel. To Paul, this meant that, to the Jews, he became like a Jew. To the Gentiles (those without the law) he became like a Gentile. To those of weak faith, he became like a person of weak faith. He became all things to all people. Why did he make himself like a chameleon? He did so to win people for the gospel. We learn an important lesson from Paul as to how to do ministry. Rather than pushing people to become like us, we should become like them, in order to win them for the gospel.

2. Run to get the prize (24-27)

Paul used an analogy of a race to describe the work of a gospel worker. The goal is to win the prize. The winner of an Olympic race would get a laurel crown. But to those who complete the heavenly race, a crown is given that will last forever (eternal life). Athletes train very hard before a contest. Likewise, we should work diligently for the gospel. When we do, we will be assured of an eternal crown.

Prayer: Father, help me to become all things to all people so as to win them for the gospel.

One Word: Do it all for the sake of the gospel.

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references