Influencers - Day 12
Day 12 - Tuesday, August 29
Read 1 Corinthians 9
Highlight
Paul gives his own personal testimony to strengthen the argument of Chapter 8. Paul is not saying that paying a pastor is wrong. In fact, he says the opposite! (see v13-14) Paul is highlighting the things he has a right to, including insisting on the Corinthians paying him a salary for his ministry, he has voluntarily given up in order to love people better. Paul does not argue that it is wrong for people to insist on things they have a right to. Rather, Paul is arguing that there is an even better way - giving up the very things that we have a right to claim in order to love people better and advance the Gospel in their lives.
Paul’s version of this was extreme: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” (v22) But he isn’t sharing this so that we can be impressed by him. He’s sharing this so that we will follow his example! In modern circumstances there are many things that we can insist we have the freedom to pursue & engage in: nice retirements, expensive clothes, watching and listening to things with explicit content, recreational drinking, and on we could go. Paul’s argument is simple - the question is not whether we have the freedom to do what we want in these areas. The question is whether you are hurting your ability to reach someone with the Gospel, whether a non-believer or even a believer! And if the answer to that second question is “yes” then that thing loses to the gospel every single time.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 Corinthians 9
Highlight
Paul gives his own personal testimony to strengthen the argument of Chapter 8. Paul is not saying that paying a pastor is wrong. In fact, he says the opposite! (see v13-14) Paul is highlighting the things he has a right to, including insisting on the Corinthians paying him a salary for his ministry, he has voluntarily given up in order to love people better. Paul does not argue that it is wrong for people to insist on things they have a right to. Rather, Paul is arguing that there is an even better way - giving up the very things that we have a right to claim in order to love people better and advance the Gospel in their lives.
Paul’s version of this was extreme: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” (v22) But he isn’t sharing this so that we can be impressed by him. He’s sharing this so that we will follow his example! In modern circumstances there are many things that we can insist we have the freedom to pursue & engage in: nice retirements, expensive clothes, watching and listening to things with explicit content, recreational drinking, and on we could go. Paul’s argument is simple - the question is not whether we have the freedom to do what we want in these areas. The question is whether you are hurting your ability to reach someone with the Gospel, whether a non-believer or even a believer! And if the answer to that second question is “yes” then that thing loses to the gospel every single time.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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