People are the Prize - "Would You Rather...?" - 1 Corinthians 9:15-27 - Tim Nay

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

Would You Rather...?
1 Corinthians 9:15-27
Tim Nay

August 13, 2023

What is the prize?

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. —I Corinthians 9:2412 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. —Philippians 3:12-1619 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? —I Thessalonians 2:19

What is the prize? People

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. —Romans 9:1-37 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? —I Corinthians 6:7

I’d Rather…

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. —1 Corinthians 9:16-17

-Be ready to share the Gospel

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. —1 Corinthians 9:18

-Be aware of what may hinder 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. —I Corinthians 9:19-23

-Be ready to give up certain rights

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. —1 Corinthians 9:25-27

-Be self-controlled and alert (v. 25-27)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. —1 Peter 5:8

Takeaway:
People Knowing Jesus is My Top Priority