Passage: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Speaker: Pastor Lukus Counterman Series: 1 Corinthians - Pursue Love
Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul goes to great lengths to argue that ministers of the gospel deserve to be financially remunerated for their work. It’s as though he tightens his argument with one point after another until finally you feel like saying, “Okay Paul, I get it. Ministers have the right to be remunerated.” But just when he gets you to that point, Paul changes gears and says, “But there are times when ministers may refuse to be paid.” And with that he explains that he has deferred payment from the Corinthians so that the gospel can advance unhindered. He has laid aside his “right” for something bigger than himself. So, this chapter ties in with the previous one. We are supposed to limit our liberties, not only so that we can love our brothers and sisters in Christ, but so that we can advance the gospel. May the Lord continue to help us loosen our grip on our rights, and cause us to embrace others and the great work of the gospel.