1 Corinthians 9:23-27. “Freedom” at Corinth The Corinthian party-down town! Indeed, we do have freedom under grace! “All things are lawful!” 1 Cor.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

1 Corinthians 9:23-27

“Freedom” at Corinth

The Corinthian party-down town! Indeed, we do have freedom under grace!

“All things are lawful!” 1 Cor. 10:23

“Freedom” at Corinth

The Corinthian party-down town! Indeed, we do have freedom under grace! BUT: Don’t use freedom to live like a loser!

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”

1 Cor. 10:23

“Freedom” at Corinth

The Corinthian party-down town! Indeed, we do have freedom under grace! BUT: Don’t use freedom to live like a loser! Use freedom to build real love relationships!

“All things are lawful, but not all things edify.Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor!” 1 Cor. 10:23-24

Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak! 1 Corinthians 8:9

A Brave,New

World!

…Freedom to Build Real Love!

“Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10 This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ

“For the love of Christ controls us…” 2 Cor.5:14

“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” 2 Thess. 3:5

…Freedom to Build Real Love!

“Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10 This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…)

Christianity 101: God Me. “Faith in Christ”

○Now what ????○More “Worship Services…”○More “Spiritual Disciplines…”○More “Religious Activities…”

No!No!

No!

“Am I not free?” 1 Corinthians 9:1

…Freedom to Build Real Love!

“Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10 This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…)

Christianity 101: God Me. “Faith in Christ”Advanced Christianity: God Me Others

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

…Freedom to Build Real Love!

“Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10 This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…) How does “Love Edify” actually WORK?

“Yet I have never used any of these rights!” 1 Corinthians 9:15

Love is a choice, not a feeling…

What Kind of Choice?What am I supposed to do?

Beyond Christianity 1011. Choosing to Sacrifice.

Leading an others-centered life.

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22

Beyond Christianity 1011. Choosing to Sacrifice.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave…

Beyond Christianity 1011. Choosing to Sacrifice.

2. Goal-Oriented Sacrifice.○ BUILDING spiritual relationships○ …Me & God together

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave…

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals!

Usually materialistic goals…Spiritual goals? Relational goals?

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave…

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!”

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!”

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding…v.6 …In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!”

James 4:13-14 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

v.15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that."

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal”

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!” It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?”

Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!” It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?” Humans are builders by nature!

Genesis 2:15 “…cultivate it…”We love to watch things grow!We’re incredibly creative!But “work” is a drag today!

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!” It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?” Humans are builders by nature! We continue building in ETERNITY!

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:21

BUT I DON’T LIKE GOALS! But we always make goals! “But that’s not very spiritual!” It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?” Humans are builders by nature! We continue building in ETERNITY! So start building now!

John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Win or Lose?

Losers…Don’t run…Wandering, lacking focus…Frustration!Bad direction…

1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Win or Lose?

Losers… Winners…

Consider it, think about it…Small steps, not giant leaps!

○ “ONE another…”

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Win or Lose?

Losers… Winners…

Consider, think about it…Small steps, not giant leaps!Concrete steps, not vague wishes…

○ “consider HOW…”

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Win or Lose?

Losers… Winners…

Consider, think about it…Small, concrete steps, not giant leaps!Results-oriented thinkingPrioritized goals…

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Goal-Oriented Thinking

1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.