1 Corinthians 9:1-14: No sacrifice is too great for … / Jeff Struecker

Big Idea: No sacrifice is too great for … 

1 Corinthians 9:1-14

I. … the Gospel, 

1 Corinthians 9:1-6

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working?

II. … God’s people,

1 Corinthians 9:7-11

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned about oxen? Isn’t he really saying it for our sake? Yes, this is written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing the crop. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

III. …, or the glory of King Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 9:12-14

If others have the right to receive benefits from you, don’t we have an even greater right? Nevertheless, we have not exercised this right; instead, we endure all things so that we do not obstruct the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who conduct the temple services eat the food provided there, and those who serve at the altar share in the altar's offerings? Similarly, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should support themselves through the gospel.

Next Steps: 

• Believe: I offer my life to King Jesus for the first time today.
• Become: I will offer Jesus everything again tomorrow.
• Be Sent: I will sacrifice so that someone can start a relationship with Christ.

Discussion Questions: 

• What sacrifice did you make for King Jesus last week?
• Can you recall a time when you made a sacrifice for someone? How did it change your relationship?
• Are you in a loving relationship if one person refuses to sacrifice for another? Explain your answer.
• How do you balance your needs with the needs of those you love?
• How do you respond when your sacrifice goes unnoticed?
• What sacrifices will you make for King Jesus this week?
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you surrender it all to Jesus again this week.