1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Introduction:

1. While there are many different spokes on the wheel (spiritual growth, benevolence, pursuit of purity, etc.), glorifying God by winning souls to Christ is the end goal.

2. It is so easy to get distracted from this primary purpose (Matthew 28:18-20).

3. In this passage, Paul gives the paradigm for maximizing our soul-winning efforts.

Discussion:

I. The Heart of an Evangelist

A. After His departure, Jesus delegated His mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10; John 9:5) to His disciples (Matthew 5:14-16; 28:18-20).

B. With the impossibility of salvation apart from the gospel (Romans 1:14-17; 10:13-17), our evangelistic efforts are imperative (1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

II. Tearing Down the Barriers

A. We face many barriers in reaching people with the gospel: socio-economic factors, race, personality types, etc.

B. Paul erased all such dividing lines for the sake of the gospel inasmuch as it did not compel him to compromise the faith:

1. He met Jews where they were (9:20) and Gentiles where they were (9:21).

2. He forfeited his prerogatives in dealing with the weak, those whose understanding was lacking (9:22; 8:1-13; 10:23-32; Romans 14).

C. He argued the dissolution of all arbitrary distinctions (Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:11-18).

III. It’s All About the Gospel

A. Paul always met his listeners where they were (Acts 17:22-34), and he delivered the unadulterated truth with love and grace (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:5-6).

B. His rationale was plain and simple; it’s all about the gospel (9:23).

C. To keep ourselves from becoming an impediment to the primary objective, we must order our lives to win souls to Christ at any cost (9:19, 23; Philippians 2:1-7).

Conclusion:

1. The primary objective has not and will not change (Ephesians 3:6-10).

2. May we join Paul in tearing down all barriers, becoming all things to all people, doing all things for the sake of the gospel that we may by all means win the more.

Further Food for Thought

1. What impediments do you face in pursuit of fulfilling the primary objective?

2. How often do you reevaluate your current pursuits in light of the primary objective?

3. What sacrifices would you need to make to ensure it is all about the gospel for you?