IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Do All for the Sake of the Gospel

Date: Aug. 27, 2015

Passage

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:23

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

First, to save some by all possible means (19-23). Paul was a Jew and a Pharisee. But in Christ he learned he was a new creation. So he could become like a Jew to the Jews, or as one under the law to those under the law. But his ministry was largely a Gentile ministry. When Paul accepted the power of the gospel to save all, he was free to become all things to all people. After tasting the power of Christ Paul did all things for the sake of the gospel with the great hope of sharing in its eternal blessings.

Second, run in such a way as to get the prize (24-27). Paul equated the life of a gospel servant with that of an athlete. Athletes compete by enduring strict training. They do it in order to win a prize. How much more should God's people serve the gospel, because the prize is the crown that will last forever.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live for the gospel and preach it with eternal hope.

One Word: All for the sake of the gospel

Daily Bread

God is Our Deliverer

Psalm 78:40-72

Key Verse: 78:65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.

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