Talked two weeks ago about some of the gifts of leadership given to the church.

Question: can we go around calling people by their gifts?

 

Yes, but for what purpose? This can really lead to a place of pride in our lives.

The word for leader is only used 7 times in the Hebrew and Greek.

The call of leadership is to serve those under you.

 

  1. James 3: 1 not many of you strive to become teachers for you will come under more strict judgment.
  2. 2 Timothy 3: 1 People will only go to teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear.
  3. Hebrews 5: 12 you have been believers so long you ought to be teaching,

 

1. Paul defends his apostleship 3 – 14

 

  1. Paul is answering questions that people are using to challenge his authority. 3 – 6
    1. Right to make a living off preaching
    2. Right to have a wife
    3. Paul and Barnabas worked at a trade while evangelizing. (tentmakers)
  2. Right means power of choice.
  3. Paul illustrates his argument 7, 8
    1. Soldier is taken care of
    2. Farmer eats from his vineyard
    3. Shepherd takes from his flock
  4. Paul quotes the Pentateuch Vs 9
    1. Deuteronomy 25: 4
    2. This was not just talking about animals. God cares about people.
  5. We each have a job to do in the kingdom Vs 10
    1. some plow
    2. Some bring in the harvest.

1. We enjoy the harvest but no one likes plowing

  1. Paul plowed among the Corinthians Vs 11, 12
    1. Idea here is that they are seeing some incredible things happen and the leaders now are saying if Paul was spiritual, he would have lead you into this.
    2. There is no need to support Paul in the work he is doing in other places because of this.
    3. Paul is saying he chose not to have them support them while he was there.
      1. 2 Corinthians 11: 27 I have known hunger and thirst
      2. Acts 20: 34 These hands have supplied my needs
  2. Final examples Vs 13, 14
    1. Temple workers get their meals from the their work
    2. Jesus ordered people deserve to get their pay from their work. (See Luke 10: 7)
  3. Paul did not accept pay because he thought it would hinder the gospel.

2. Reason for restraint Vs 15 – 18

 

1. Paul is answering the question about whether they should support him. Vs 15 ! 1. No supporting him is not the question.

2. Paul is pressed into preaching the gospel.

  1. Do anything else but preach the gospel.
  2. Paul is pressed not a volunteer. Vs 16
    1. compelled means boxed in and he has no other choice in what to do with his life.
    2. Paul realized he would stand under God’s judgement if he failed to preach the

gospel.

  1. He is a bond slave and has no voice in the matter whether he is paid or not. Vs 17
  2. He gets joy in preaching the gospel. Vs 18

3. Paul’s policy Vs 19 – 23!
1.Man with no master is he is financially independent. Vs 19

2. Paul is not saying he is a hypocrite, but he wants to build a bridge to others 20 – 23

  1. to Jews, he is Kosher
  2. To the Gentiles, no judgement
  3. The emphasis is on the progress of the gospel

1. Not a freedom to sin, but on advancing the gospel.

4. Exhortation Vs 24 – 27

 

  1. Run to win the race. Vs 24
    1. Entering the race is not winning the race.
    2. ‘The reason I practice self control is because I know I am going to stand before the Lordsomeday
    3. We must obtain the prize = lay hold of
  2. Two considerations Vs 25

1. The necessity of self control

1. The necessity of training for the moment of the contest

  1. Failure meant disqualification
  2. We must let go of those things that are incompatible with the christian life
  1. I run “so should you is implied” Vs 26
    1. Have a goal in mind.
    2. I don’t box the air or run without a finish line.
  2. I discipline my body. Vs 27
    1. give it a lack eye because of the intensity of the workout.
    2. EXAMPLES: gloves in the arenas had metal in the leather which were called “limbbreakers” and this is the battle he has with himself.
    3. Leaders can be hard on themselves.
  3. I will not be disqualified.
    1. Found counterfeit and rejected
    2. Hope that he will be made right so no fear on his part. (See 1 Corinthians 10: 13)