Eastbrook / Preaching

“Living Free, Living Bound” – a message from 1 Corinthians 9

Matt EricksonLeave a comment

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series entitled “God’s Grace for an Imperfect Church: 1 Corinthians.” In this message from 1 Corinthians 9:1-23, I explored Paul’s theme of forgoing our rights in Christian freedom in order to live for the good of others and God’s glory. Paul begins this theme in the previous chapter, chapter 8, which I looked at last week in a message entitled “Living for the Good of Others.”

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22b-23)

Paul and the Rights of the Apostles

What it means to be an “apostle” (9:1-3)

The Corinthian critique of Paul (9:3; 3:1-4; 4:1-13; Acts 18:1-4)

The apostolic right to adequate ministry support (9:4-12a, 13-14) 

Paul’s Example on Navigating Rights, Freedom, and the Gospel

Paul serves the gospel, clearing the way for the message to be heard (9:12b)

Paul incarnates the gospel, forgoing apostolic rights so the free message is proclaimed freely (9:15-18)

Paul ‘missionalizes’ the gospel, standing in solidarity with all so the message can be not only heard but received (9:19-23)

Paul’s example to the Corinthian church in conflict about Christian freedom and exercise of rights (8:9)

Learning from Paul’s Example

Choose a worthy destination

Choose wise guides

Choose the way you will walk

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

  • Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:22b-23: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
  • This week, prayerfully consider one way God might be calling you to step forward as a witness to Christ in the life of someone else. Pray for that person and for an opportunity to share Christ. Is there anything you may need to “forgo” in order to share the gospel?
  • Explore these additional resources:

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