FROM MATERIALISM TO MISSIONS
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
July 18, 2007
Mike Matijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* Sometimes with the comforts & materialistic surroundings we have today we lose sight of what is really all about.
* Whether it is Christian martyrs or our finest in the military- there is a COMMON THREAD…
*** They all believed in a CAUSE bigger than themselves.

Today that last part chapter 9 Paul will focus on how to turn our attention from materialism to the mission- using his life as an example.
* Not enough to have a RIGHT ATTITUDE but must understand that we have a MISSION.

I. Tolerance- 1 Cor. 9:19-23
"the ability to sacrifice personal freedom & preference in order to reach others with the message of salvation."
A. Example of tolerance by Paul's life…
- 9:19 Yes I have freedom from all men but I have voluntarily made myself a servant because I understand my mission is to reach as MANY men as I can.
- 9:20-21 Paul's explanation (highest of the Jews) a scholar; those under the law… BUT those that are NOT under the law.
- Lived like Jews when with them; with Gentiles not so concerned about law.
- 9:22 to the "weak"= immature, didn't act superior (understood where they were)
- 9:23 Our Missionary responsibility!!!
Our job not to isolate ourselves- but go to them affectively.
* Not to expect people to come to us- but rather us to go to them.
B. What this implies for us today… (9:19)
1. "You & I must choose voluntary slavery to bring freedom to others."
We have been set free in Jesus BUT we have a mission.
"I enslave myself"- how to overcome the selfishness of our day.
"Servant"= not a maid, valet, but rather (I enslave myself)
2. Paul chose to identify with others in order to reach some for Christ. 9:20-23
Cp 9:17 "I do…"
a. TO reach people today we have to identify more with them- not be like them.
b. Paul wrote that Christ is the "end of the law"- but he continued to do some of the things that the Jews did to reach some of them.
c. The key to his attitude (v21) Demonstration water in different vessels.
d. (v 22) Paul gives his reason why he did what he did in verse 21.

II. TEMPERANCE- 1 Cor. 9:24-27
Mastery of our self, self-control, moderation-
In the context - "The ability to exercise personal discipline."
In order to complete our God given mission.
A. Understand you & I are in a RACE.
1. Paul's illustration is from Olympics - this letter to Greeks. He is being contemporary.
I'll bet people then were tired of using the games (sports) to illustrate his point.
Heb 12:1- The theme repeated throughout the scriptures - a RACE
a. To run a race you have to lay aside every weight that would slow you down. *Good things
b. You have to sacrifice in areas that sin anything that would hinder your ability to WIN the race. In this case winning the race is affecting a life that it comes to personal salvation with Christ.
2. What do I need to lay aside?
a. Some attitude; preferences, traditions (not necessarily wrong or sinful)
Heb 12:2-3 "patience" (v 2 & 3) "endured" same Greek word today would mean "pacing".
* Marathoner stars differently than a sprinter.
* Means NOT involved in every ministry, but pacing yourself.

B. If you are in a race - run to WIN. 1 Cor. 9:24
1. In the Olympics only ONE will get the gold medal- but in the Christian life every one can get a gold medal
C. If you are in a fight not boxing the shadows- to really have an impact. (9:26)
A lot of men look good in the gym, etc, but having a real impact!
D. 9:27 so I "keep under my body" not "I keep my body under" - (not fighting his flesh)
He is pushing his body to its limits! Stretching, disciplining, pushing the limits… need to be disciplined & trained (not doing more to be better) because of the mission.
* STRETCH yourself!
* Training by prayer, bible study, getting involved…
*** World class athletes don't just show up to a competition, they train hard.

* Our materialistic society distorts or focus!
* God has called us to run in this race… to take the gospel... purpose in life.

* What can we do?
1. Tolerance- be willing to set aside some of our comfort & convenience, some of our preferences in order to be trained to win some one to Christ.
- Reach out to them where they are.
2. Temperance - willing to trust God to bring a measure of grace of self-discipline to our lives.
- Some of you listening to my voice have reached the pinnacle of your career, but don't have the discipline to read your bible every day.
* They are choices that we're are NOT making.
*** If some people are willing to sell themselves into slavery to reach some slaves….
Could you sacrifice Survivor?
Could you sacrifice MTV, VH!?
Could you sacrifice Deal or No Deal?
Could you sacrifice NASCAR?

* What could you… what would you sacrifice to get in God's game?