St. John Lutheran
Burlington, IL
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1 Corinthians 9:16-27 February 5, 2012
“One for All”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today we hear some words of correction and encouragement from the Apostle Paul. He
talks the talk and walks the talk. We consider today’s Epistle lesson: 1 Corinthians 9:16-
27. We begin with verse 23. For your faith and the blessings that the Gospel brings.
Amen.
Dear Fellow Sainted-Sinners,
I think it would be good to clear the air on a couple of things straight right off the bat.
First, yes, it is Superbowl Sunday and most anyone who has watched TV or listened to the
radio knows it. But we won’t be talking much about football today. You can do that later
when you are cheering for the New England Patriots. We will talk about other competitive
sports such as running and boxing. And secondly, no, I didn’t pick this text because it
mentions running. But I don’t mind that it does. The Apostle Paul is dealing with one of
his children. The congregation at Corinth is one of Gospel babies he brought into the
world in response to his calling. Paul started the congregation around 52 A.D. That
figures to be about 19 years after Jesus rose from the dead. The congregation in Corinth
is only a few years but already slipped off the rails, so to speak. People in the
congregation are acting in ways quite contrary to Scripture and even boasting about it.
This letter deals with that. After dealing with the matter in earlier chapters Paul goes on to
talk about his authority as an Apostle and his calling.
Like the others sent by Jesus, Paul is called to serve as an apostle. Apostle comes
from the Greek verb ajpostevllw meaning, I send. So Paul is one sent by Jesus to preach
the Gospel. Listen to how he speaks of his calling with a pastor’s heart.
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For
necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of
my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a
stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the
gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Verses
16-18
His authority, given by the Savior, is also his debt. But don’t misunderstand what Paul is
referring to here. In his commentary on this letter of Paul, Dr. Lockwood says that there
are two ways to incur a debt. One is by borrowing money from someone. The other is
when someone entrusts you with money to give to someone else. Until you give the
money to that person you are indebted to that person. In fact, all of us are indebted with
the Gospel. It is our calling to share that wealth with our world.
Now that we know Paul’s calling, let’s look at his methodology. I paraphrase here.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I
might win more of them…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...to those outside the law I
became as one outside the law…To the weak I became weak...I have become all
things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” Verses 19-22 paraphrased
Paul didn’t wait for people to come to church. He went out to their world to share the
Gospel. That is his method. I couldn’t help but think of the motto, All for one and one for
all, considering this part of the text. The saying comes from the 19th century novel about
the Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Actually, I prefer the Three Amigos myself.
We could use the motto in discussing our methodology as Christians living in the
world. It might fit at times. Perhaps along with what Paul wrote about being all things for
all people for the sake of the Gospel. But the truth of the matter is that with our old
natures we don’t fit so well in the all for one part. James speaks of this in his letter. He is
quite blunt.
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become
accountable for all of it.” James 2:10
That said, we know we can depend on the One for all part. Paul makes that clear.
“I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its
blessings.” Verse 23
So we live our lives united with God through the sacrifice of His Son. Paul encourages us
to not only talk the talk but walk the talk. Granted it is easier said than done. That is why
the Holy Spirit works so hard in your life.
We’ve addressed Paul’s calling and his method. Now let’s take a gander at his
example.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one
receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-
control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Verses 24-25
The Isthmian Games took place in Corinth as a build up to the Olympics. Paul most likely
watched them and used that concept here in our text. The games took place every two
years and included events as running, wrestling, jumping, boxing, javelin and discus.
Athletes made two year commitments to strict training for these games.
“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I
discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself
should be disqualified.” Verses 26-27
Living the Christian life is also a commitment that takes strict training.
We forget that sometimes, don’t we? The world expects us to be perfect. We are
perfect in Christ. But that is because we are forgiven in Christ. We are still on the course
and must finish. But the Holy Spirit is hard at work to help you do that. And you know that
no one committed more to make you a SAINTED-sinner than your Lord Jesus. More than
any athlete or person in this world, Jesus focused like a laser beam for one and only one
purpose…to win your forgiveness. He took on the world, the devil, and our old natures
and beat them all. By this time tomorrow Superbowl 46 will be just a memory. One of two
teams will take the trophy home. We might end up talking more about the commercials
and the half time show than the game itself. But at this point we don’t know who is going
to win the game. We might like to think we know or hope a certain team wins. Maybe we
even bet on a certain team. At this time we just don’t know yet. But you need not wonder
who won the competition for your forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus took the gold, silver,
and bronze in his efforts to win your salvation. It is done. Just follow Him to the finish line.
And while you are at it, invite some others to come along. It’s more fun to cross the finish
line together. Amen.
The peace of God be upon you as you share in the blessings of the Gospel. Amen.
“One for All”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today we hear some words of correction and encouragement from the Apostle Paul. He
talks the talk and walks the talk. We consider today’s Epistle lesson: 1 Corinthians 9:16-
27. We begin with verse 23. For your faith and the blessings that the Gospel brings.
Amen.
Dear Fellow Sainted-Sinners,
I think it would be good to clear the air on a couple of things straight right off the bat.
First, yes, it is Superbowl Sunday and most anyone who has watched TV or listened to the
radio knows it. But we won’t be talking much about football today. You can do that later
when you are cheering for the New England Patriots. We will talk about other competitive
sports such as running and boxing. And secondly, no, I didn’t pick this text because it
mentions running. But I don’t mind that it does. The Apostle Paul is dealing with one of
his children. The congregation at Corinth is one of Gospel babies he brought into the
world in response to his calling. Paul started the congregation around 52 A.D. That
figures to be about 19 years after Jesus rose from the dead. The congregation in Corinth
is only a few years but already slipped off the rails, so to speak. People in the
congregation are acting in ways quite contrary to Scripture and even boasting about it.
This letter deals with that. After dealing with the matter in earlier chapters Paul goes on to
talk about his authority as an Apostle and his calling.
Like the others sent by Jesus, Paul is called to serve as an apostle. Apostle comes
from the Greek verb ajpostevllw meaning, I send. So Paul is one sent by Jesus to preach
the Gospel. Listen to how he speaks of his calling with a pastor’s heart.
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For
necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of
my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a
stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the
gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Verses
16-18
His authority, given by the Savior, is also his debt. But don’t misunderstand what Paul is
referring to here. In his commentary on this letter of Paul, Dr. Lockwood says that there
are two ways to incur a debt. One is by borrowing money from someone. The other is
when someone entrusts you with money to give to someone else. Until you give the
money to that person you are indebted to that person. In fact, all of us are indebted with
the Gospel. It is our calling to share that wealth with our world.
Now that we know Paul’s calling, let’s look at his methodology. I paraphrase here.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I
might win more of them…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...to those outside the law I
became as one outside the law…To the weak I became weak...I have become all
things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” Verses 19-22 paraphrased
Paul didn’t wait for people to come to church. He went out to their world to share the
Gospel. That is his method. I couldn’t help but think of the motto, All for one and one for
all, considering this part of the text. The saying comes from the 19th century novel about
the Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Actually, I prefer the Three Amigos myself.
We could use the motto in discussing our methodology as Christians living in the
world. It might fit at times. Perhaps along with what Paul wrote about being all things for
all people for the sake of the Gospel. But the truth of the matter is that with our old
natures we don’t fit so well in the all for one part. James speaks of this in his letter. He is
quite blunt.
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become
accountable for all of it.” James 2:10
That said, we know we can depend on the One for all part. Paul makes that clear.
“I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its
blessings.” Verse 23
So we live our lives united with God through the sacrifice of His Son. Paul encourages us
to not only talk the talk but walk the talk. Granted it is easier said than done. That is why
the Holy Spirit works so hard in your life.
We’ve addressed Paul’s calling and his method. Now let’s take a gander at his
example.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one
receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-
control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Verses 24-25
The Isthmian Games took place in Corinth as a build up to the Olympics. Paul most likely
watched them and used that concept here in our text. The games took place every two
years and included events as running, wrestling, jumping, boxing, javelin and discus.
Athletes made two year commitments to strict training for these games.
“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I
discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself
should be disqualified.” Verses 26-27
Living the Christian life is also a commitment that takes strict training.
We forget that sometimes, don’t we? The world expects us to be perfect. We are
perfect in Christ. But that is because we are forgiven in Christ. We are still on the course
and must finish. But the Holy Spirit is hard at work to help you do that. And you know that
no one committed more to make you a SAINTED-sinner than your Lord Jesus. More than
any athlete or person in this world, Jesus focused like a laser beam for one and only one
purpose…to win your forgiveness. He took on the world, the devil, and our old natures
and beat them all. By this time tomorrow Superbowl 46 will be just a memory. One of two
teams will take the trophy home. We might end up talking more about the commercials
and the half time show than the game itself. But at this point we don’t know who is going
to win the game. We might like to think we know or hope a certain team wins. Maybe we
even bet on a certain team. At this time we just don’t know yet. But you need not wonder
who won the competition for your forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus took the gold, silver,
and bronze in his efforts to win your salvation. It is done. Just follow Him to the finish line.
And while you are at it, invite some others to come along. It’s more fun to cross the finish
line together. Amen.
The peace of God be upon you as you share in the blessings of the Gospel. Amen.