It Is Not About You

Text:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23:

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

 

1 Corinthians 10:33:

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

 

Theme:

It Is Not About You

 

Introduction:

• The First Letter of Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.
  • Paul’s focus in this letter was Christian Conduct.
• The church in Corinth was as churches are now.
  • As it says in Romans 10:1, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
  • They are doing as Colossians 2:18 explains, “…intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”
• The text reflects an oftentimes overlooked principle in the life of the believer à Pleasing People
  • As it says in 1Corinthians 10:33, “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
    • There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had been offered to idols, without sin. Such as when the flesh was sold in the market as common food, for the priest to whom it had been given. But a Christian must not merely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity by no means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous behavior to any, however they may differ from us in religious sentiments or practices. But this is not to be understood of religious festivals, partaking in idolatrous worship. According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honoring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.
  • Negative èWe often say that we should not try to please people…just God. That is why we focus on the scripture in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.”
  • Positive è Paul tells us in our scripture that for the sake of saving souls we should try to please people!
    • 1Corinthians 9:19 gives a different twist on pleasing people!
      • “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more”
        • For though I be free from all men à He is free from the judgment of men
          • 1 Corinthians 11:31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
        • Yet have I made myself servant unto all à He chooses to serve
          • John 21:16, “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
        • That I might gain the more à He does so for the purpose of saving souls!
          • 1Corinthians 9:23, “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
    • Also Paul references pleasing people in his requirements for being a bishop:
      • 1 Timothy 3:7, “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
      • • Let us look at the believers’ requirement to please people!!

Body:

• Self Denial à Primary requirement for relationship with God and service to Him
  • Mark 8:34, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
• WHY should we “please others”?
  • Our Benefit à Eternal Life
    • John 12:25, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
  • God’s Benefit à Glory for God
    • Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
  • Other People’s Benefit à Drawn to God through our “Living Witness”
    • John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
• HOW should we please others?
  • Our text is an application of the biblical principles concerning self denial
  • Different ways of pleasing people exemplified by people and by Jesus…the highest example!
    • PHYSICAL à not about you but about others
      • US è 1 Corinthians 8:13, “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
      • JESUS è The Savior fed 5000 with 2 fish and 5 barley loaves.
    • EMOTIONAL à not about you but about others
      • US è Smile Anyhow à Nehemiah 8:10, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
      • JESUS è John 11:42, “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” – i.e. Not for me but for the sake of those standing around!
    • SPIRITUAL à not about you but about GOD!
      • US è Do not compromise right for wrong
        • Verse 21 of the text supports – “being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,”
      • JESUS è Luke 22:42, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Conclusion:

• Although we may feel that we make extensive sacrifices for others…none will ever beat the sacrifice that God made for us!
  • John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
  • John 3:16 makes it clear that God did the GREATEST!
    • For God à The Greatest Lover
    • So loved à The Greatest Degree
    • The World à The Greatest Company
    • That He Gave à The Greatest Act
    • His only begotten Son à The Greatest Gift
    • That whosoever à The Greatest Opportunity
    • Believeth à The Greatest Simplicity
    • In Him à The Greatest Attraction
    • Should Not Perish à The Greatest Promise
    • But à The Greatest Difference
    • Have à The Greatest Certainty
    • Everlasting Life à The Greatest Possession