God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness
As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
1 Corinthians 9:1-18[1]
1 Corinthians 8-10 is one subject that the Apostle addresses in response to the request of someone in the Corinthian church; "Now concerning food offered to idols". Last week we read 1 Corinthians 8 and we learned this: When love for our brothers and sisters is ignored for our knowledge and rights, knowledge is not enough. Love leads a Christian to lay down his rights. This same conversation continues from the end of chapter 8, so let me read that last verse. "13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." Love led Paul to lay down his rights. We move on today and we find yet another reason to lay down one's rights…
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
2 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.
3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.
4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
5 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?
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
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.
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.
We'll tackle this chapter in two messages; this week I think we can grasp this truth from chapter 9… You have the right to lay down your rights. Future reward can lead a believer to lay down present rights.
Let's look at Paul's rights. "Rights" (exousia, eks-ü-sē'-ä) would be defined as his 'power, power of choice; leave, or permission'[2].
Paul has the right of respect due to an apostle of Jesus (v 1-2). To the church of Corinth, which he had started, and many of whom he had likely led to believe in Christ. They were the seal of his apostleship. In Paul's day the wax seal on the outside of a scroll or letter verified the authenticity and integrity of the scroll – it had not been tampered with. The very fact that they had believed the gospel under his preaching HAD to mean something to them! In other words – you of all people ought to know my calling.
Paul has the right to expect provision for and from his gospel labor (v 3-4.) He was correct to be able to expect compensation for his labor of preaching and teaching the gospel to people as he had opportunity, praying for the church, and making disciples.
Paul has the right to expect provision for a wife to travel with him (v 5-6). It is not good for a pastor, preacher, apostle, or an evangelist to be gone from his wife and family for too long. If the children are old enough and the wife is thus freed up from her responsibilities in the home, it is a good thing for those benefitting from the ministry of Christian leaders to fund the travels of the wife as well. Peter and the other apostles used this right, as did most other visiting gospel ministers of the day.
What is the source of these rights?
The law of Moses (v 8-10, 13). Deut 25:4 says very simply, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." The priests and temple workers from the Old Testament were given food from the sacrifices offered (v 13). These verses are not quoted as authoritative law for the church but as a principle the law models that Jesus acknowledges. Yet when an apostle brings OT principles into NT writing, it is now NT truth for the church.
The command of Christ (v 14). The Lord sent the apostles out with this thought: "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages." (Luke 10:7). Paul refers to this when he is teaching the church.
Common courtesy and cultural norms also offer such rights (v 7, 10-12). As Paul points out, soldiers, farmers, and shepherds rightly expect to get paid for their labor, and not have to work a job on the side in order to self-fund their work. There is not time or energy for such! Note this in verse 12 – they paid other pastors or preachers for their labor in the church! Paul wanted Corinthian church to see this; he willingly laid down these rights for their sake! How could they refuse to lay down rights for the sake of others!
Paul's great pride was that he laid down these rights. He refused to seek pay for gospel work among un-reached peoples. He was supported by established churches or else he worked with his hands. This is an example chapter, but there are other things we see here…
Let us hold Scripture over tradition. Peter, as primary figure for the Roman Catholic Church, took a wife with him. He also had a mother-in-law that Jesus healed. And Jesus had brothers. Any and all parts of Christianity should hold fast to God's Word over man's opinions. Pastors and leaders should marry; it avoids many troubles.
Let us meet the needs of gospel ministers. 1 Tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
This verse tells pastors to provide for their families. No options. My responsibility.
1 Tim 6:10-11 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
OK so in 5:8 pastors must provide for their families. In 6:10-11 they can't focus on, demand, or love money – it can't be the sole motivation for ministry. How then do we live? Answer… 1 Tim 5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
In other words, it is on you to meet the needs of gospel ministers to the church. The weight on the pastor is to trust God and make his needs known and/or work if those needs can't be met. But this isn't about needs, it is about rights – and laying those down. So we close…
Let gospel ministers forego those needs and reach the lost with the gospel! We give to send, and we send men who will work to pay their way – both are God's plan of spreading the good news about Christ horrible death and beautiful resurrection. How can they repent if they don't learn of their consuming, burning, God-defying sin? How can God's grace wash them unless they believe in Christ? How can they believe unless they hear?
Someone needs to look to their future rewards. You have the right to lay down your rights. Future reward can lead a believer to lay down present rights.
[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.
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