Rev. David Holwick ZD
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
September 9, 1990
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
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I. Paul's compulsion. 9:16
A. Many people are motivated by compulsions.
One woman in her 40s spent up to 13 hours a day washing her hands
and her house.
She described her experience as "hell" - not such an exaggeration.
As Dr. Michael Jenike of Mass. Gen. Hosp. reconstructs it:
"Before she could use the soap, she had to use some bleach on the
soap to make sure the soap was clean.
Before that, she had to use Ajax on the bleach bottle.
And this went on and on.
If she happened to bump the edge of the sink while she was doing
this, it would set off another hour and a half, two hours of
ritual.
She didn't really think there were germs there.
It was just a feeling." #717
B. Paul's compulsion was preaching the gospel.
1) Called by God to do it. Not an option. 9:17
2) Much more than "preacher's itch."
3) It was God's plan for his life.
C. No reward because it was a duty.
(Meaning of KJV "dispensation")
1) Paul didn't accept pay for his preaching. 9:12,18
a) (But he does argue it is justified.) 9:11
b) (Somewhere else he mentions being worthy of double pay!)
1 Tim 5:17
2) Reward is preaching without pay.
a) Side benefit - no control from other people. 9:19
II. Paul's freedom.
A. He is free and belongs to no man. 9:19
B. He can choose to be a slave to all men. 9:20
C. Paul was all things to all people. 9:22
1) Some saw this as no backbone, wishy/washy.
a) Paul opposed requirement for circumcision.
Acts 15, Galatians.
b) No value in circumcision, yet he circumcised Timothy.
"because of Jews in area" Acts 16:3
2) Concerns non-essentials, not doctrine or ethics.
a) We are never free from God's law. 9:21
b) God still sets limits on us.
3) Paul saw it as getting close to people to reach them.
III. Jew to Jews, Gentile to Gentiles. 9:20
A. Not hung up by Kosher/non-Kosher.
1) Jewish/Christian synagogue movement?
2) Identification of "weak" with chapter 8?
B. Paul wanted to remove cultural barriers.
1) He followed some of their practices, but not for their
reasons.
2) He always had a higher goal - Evangelism. 9:22
("win" used 4 times, "save" 1 time.)
IV. How much are you willing to change for the sake of the gospel?
A. Christians have freedom to live/change for sake of others.
1) Spouse, children, etc.
a) Our expectation is to make them change (or benefit us).
2) Christian perspective is to change ourselves.
a) Change essentials through power of Spirit.
(character, morals)
b) Change non-essentials for sake of other person.
3) Not a weak doormat, but a strong person.
B. Are you concerned about the salvation of those close to you?
1) Are you willing to accommodate to them?
V. How much is our church willing to change?
A. Problem with reaching the lost.
1) We are not looking for them.
a) Most Christians know few non-Christians.
b) Are afraid to explain gospel.
1> Due to ignorance.
2> Due to fear of rejection.
2) We expect them to fit into our mold.
a) Non-believers are puzzled, frightened by much that we do.
1> Invitation.
2> Old-fashioned songs.
b) We aim our resources at our own people.
1> Religious language.
2> Non-outreach activities to build up the saints.
3> Same format multiplied at each service.
4> Subtle exclusion of newcomers.
B. Churches that focus on non-Christians.
1) Examples.
a) Willowbrook. "Unchurched Harry."
b) California. "Saddleback Sam."
2) Methodology.
a) Find out what unchurched want.
1> Go to them and ask.
b) Give it to them.
c) Soft-sell morning services.
d) Hard-sell discipling at another service.
VI. The gospel as a marketing strategy.
A. Does the Bible support a marketing approach to evangelism?
1. Research. Jesus asked people what they wanted.
2. Strategy. Went to where people were.
Met physical and social needs.
Jesus taught planning. Luke 14:28-32
3. Pricing. Jesus taught that price-tag of faith is steep.
4. Communication. Jesus sought out "hot prospects,"
spoke differently to different groups,
[used parables for vividness].
5. Distribution. Jesus used franchise system - disciples.
#244
1) (Comment from my father to get bonus on basis of souls saved)
2) Should church be packaged like a Kentucky Fried Chicken
franchise?
B. Gospel itself should not be watered down.
1) Paul & Jesus adapted some of their lifestyle, but not
their message.
2) The gospel is changeless, but we are free to change.
VII. What are we doing to "win" (=save) the lost?
A. Go to be near them. (hospitality, neighbor)
B. Let them see your life.
C. 2-way communication.
D. Common activities.
E. Non-threatening opportunities to share gospel.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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