Lesson 10. The Gospel: A Message that Empowers

Day 4

In our study today, we see Paul willing to do whatever it takes to win people to the gospel, even things that could seem very odd to people who haven’t experienced the power of the cross. Let’s see the things he is willing to do:
“If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ”
1 Corinthians 9:17-21
Question 1. Considering 1 Corinthians 9:17-21, please list all the ways you see Paul “giving up his rights” to win people to the gospel:Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Did you notice how Paul’s “pay” was the opportunity to preach the gospel without pay? (verse 18). In the gospel kingdom, people are eager to serve, willing to minister freely, doing everything out of love. It’s almost as if we can’t wait to give our lives away to bless others. Nobody has to ask us or pay us.
And do you see how Paul’s life reflects the gospel in verse 19? “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.” It is as if Paul was remembering how Jesus gave Himself up willingly to be bound and taken away on the night of His betrayal. “Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” (Matthew 27:1-2). Jesus could have easily broken those bindings and escaped, but He purposefully enslaved Himself, as it were, to liberate us!
Similarly, though a free man with no human master, Paul was willing to live like a slave to bring people to Christ. This act of surrender is the display of the cross, seeing beauty in the bonds of Jesus, and being joyfully willing to receive bonds ourselves to benefit others.
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 9:17-21, we see that Paul subjected himself to the Law of God, which He is careful to say he is "not subject to" (verse 20) so that he might "bring to Christ those who are under the Law." The Old Covenant Law was fulfilled and done away with through the body of Jesus Christ crucified for Paul and us who believe (Romans 7:4). Yet, Paul purposefully aligned himself to those under the Law to display the cross and win them to Christ.
This cross-love displayed in a person's life is always the power of the cross to those who will believe. It causes them to consider why we would give up our rights and why we would love so deeply. So that when we use our words to display the picture of the cross before their very eyes, and they hear of Jesus' love for them, they believe it because they have seen it in action through you and me.
Question 2. Is there something that you could do to display cross-love to people today? Please share.Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.