1 Corinthians 9:19-27

“I DO ALL THIS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL”

Keywords 9:23

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

 

1. To win people for the gospel (19-23)

The gospel had set Paul free. He belonged to no one. Yet, for the sake of the gospel, he made himself a slave to the gospel. To Paul, this meant that, to the Jews, he became like a Jew. To the Gentiles (those without the law) he became like a Gentile. To those of weak faith, he became like a person of weak faith. He became all things to all people. Why did he make himself like a chameleon? He did so to win people for the gospel. We learn an important lesson from Paul as to how to do ministry. Rather than pushing people to become like us, we should become like them, in order to win them for the gospel.

 

2. Run to get the prize (24-27)

Paul used an analogy of a race to describe the work of a gospel worker. The goal is to win the prize. The winner of an Olympic race would get a laurel crown. But to those who complete the heavenly race, a crown is given that will last forever (eternal life). Athletes train very hard before a contest. Likewise, we should work diligently for the gospel. When we do, we will be assured of an eternal crown.

 

Prayer Father, help me to become all things to all people so as to win them for the gospel.

One Word Do it all for the sake of the gospel

 

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

THE RIGHTS OF AN APOSTLE

Keywords 9:18

What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

 

1. In hope of sharing in the harvest (1-12a)

Paul had been criticized by some in the church in Corinth, saying he wasn’t a legitimate apostle. Paul provided as proof of his true apostleship that, because of the gospel, Paul was free. He was an apostle because of the gospel. He had seen the risen Jesus! As an apostle he had born much spiritual fruit in the Corinthian church. Because of his apostleship, Paul had many rights he could have exercised, such as having a believing wife or making a living preaching the gospel. The other apostles and the Lord’s own brothers had exercised these rights. Didn’t Paul have those same rights?

 

2. “But we did not use this right” (12b-18)

Although Paul had many rights, he didn’t use any of them. Why not? He didn’t want to hinder the gospel of Christ. He gave up all things in order to advance the work of the gospel. Paul was compelled to preach the gospel. His only reward was that he preach the gospel free of charge.

 

Prayer Father, help us to repent seeking after only earthly rewards. May our most desired reward come from you.

One Word God is my reward

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

LOVE GOD; BE KNOWN BY GOD

Keywords 8:3

But the man who loves God is known by God.

 

1. Knowledge puffs up, love builds up (1-6)

There must have been a question among the Corinthian Christians about whether it was okay to eat food that had been sacrificed to an idol. Paul reminded them that there were many idols, none of which had any value. But there is only one God, through whom all things come. These things God’s people know. And they know there was no harm in eating food sacrificed to an idol. But Paul warned that sometimes this knowledge can make us puffed up. Those with this knowledge sometimes look down on those who do not know the gospel, and who might be concerned about eating food that had been sacrificed to an idol. Our knowledge should be tempered with concern for others.

 

2. …for whom Christ died (7-13)

Those who really know the gospel need to be careful how they act on their knowledge. If those with stronger faith (who know it is no problem eating food sacrificed to idols) eat it in front of someone with weaker faith (who doesn’t know this), that may become a stumbling block to the one with weaker faith. We should rather live in a way that will build others up. That is the way of the gospel.

 

Prayer Father, bless me to repent from living based on my own knowledge. Help me to live by faith and build others up.

One Word Love God; be known by God

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

LIVE IN UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO THE LORD

Keywords 7:35b

but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

 

1. The time is short (25-31)

Paul urged the Corinthian Christians to live in a right way—in other words, according to the gospel. People get distracted with things of this world. Married people are distracted by the well-being of their spouses. Happy, or sad, people are distracted by what is making them happy, or sad. People who are wealthy, or poor, are distracted by their possessions. Rather than being distracted, Paul urges his readers to have in mind the things of God. Paul urged God’s people not to live as who they were. Married people shouldn’t live as married people, etc. Rather, we should live in total devotion to the Lord.

 

2. Live in undivided devotion to the Lord (32-40)

Paul pointed out that there was nothing wrong with being either married or unmarried. There is nothing wrong with having possessions or not. Paul’s point is that our hearts and minds should not be on what our own condition is. Our devotion should not be to ourselves. The time is short. This world will soon pass away. Thus, we should live in devotion to the Lord. We do this when we put him first and foremost in our hearts and minds.

 

Prayer Father, help me not be distracted by this life. Help me live in a right way, in total devotion to you.

One Word Live in total devotion to the Lord

Exodus 28:31-43

HOLY TO THE LORD

Keywords 28:36

Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.

 

1. Priestly ministry must be holy (31-38)

The priest ministers in the Holy Place, hidden from the eyes of people. The bells signal that God has mercifully accepted the priest’s ministry on people’s behalf. In worshipping God, the people would bring all kinds of gifts, which must be consecrated to be acceptable to God. To bear these sacred gifts, the priest must be holy as a suitable mediator.

 

2. Priests must be consecrated (39-43)

Not only should priestly ministry be holy, but their bodies must be also clothed, anointed, ordained, and consecrated to serve as priests. This must be done continually, as priests are also sinners who die. Jesus, our great high priest, is different. Since he lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood, always interceding for us. Such a high priest truly meets our need—who is holy, blameless, pure… He sacrificed himself for our sins once for all (Heb 7:23-28).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and priesthood, interceding for me. Help me be holy as you are holy to serve as one of Jesus’ royal priesthood today.

One Word Be holy

Exodus 28:1-30

THEY MAY SERVE ME AS PRIESTS

Keywords 28:4b

They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests.

 

1. Sacred garments of dignity and honor (1-5)

God chose Aaron and his sons to be the first priests, establishing a priestly family. The purpose of being a priest was to serve God and to serve people. Sacred means set apart as holy; the garments were to represent the dignity and honor of the priest wearing them. Since they represent God to the people and the people to God, they must be humble.

 

2. He will bear the names over his heart (6-30)

To be a priest was a great responsibility. Thus, the ephod and the breastpiece also paralleled the symbolic weight of the tribes on his body as he served. Urim and Thummim were mysterious decision-making implements, entrusted to Aaron. So, he bore the means of decision making on his heart. In this way, God made a way for his people to come to him and to give them direction. Now Jesus is our mediator (1Ti 2:5) and high priest (Heb 2:14).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus, our high priest. The government is on his shoulders, and he bears us on his heart. Help me to have fellowship with you through Jesus each day.

One Word We are a royal priesthood

Exodus 27:1-21

KEEP THE LAMPS BURNING

Keywords 27:20

"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.

 

1. A bronze altar and large courtyard (1-19)

The sacrificial system would become instrumental in the worship of the LORD. God instructed the altar made of bronze to be functional and still portable. This altar provided a way for sinful people to be consecrated and to approach a holy God. The altar would be in a large courtyard, a boundary between what was holy and what was mundane. God wants to dwell with his people, but we come to him only in the way he has made.

 

2. The lamps burning before the LORD (20-21)

The lampstand (Ex 25:31) was placed in the Holy Place, before the curtain. The priests, supplied with oil from all the people, were to keep vigil every night, all night long, to keep the lamps burning brightly. This was to be a “lasting ordinance,” just like Passover (12:14). This symbolizes God who never sleeps and never closes his doors to his people. As we follow Jesus, the light of the world, we will never walk in darkness (Jn 8:12).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for diligently watching over us daily. Help me follow Jesus.

One Word Keep our lamps burning