1 Corinthians 9:1

Am I not free?
Answer:

, he is

Am I not an apostle?
Answer: Yes, he is

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Answer:

, he has.

Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
Answer: Yes, they are.

Paul is asking an awful lot of questions.
He is holding himself up as an

lesson.
Paul is after their

Reveal Answer

.

1 Corinthians 9:4

Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
Answer: Yes, they do

The word right means power or

.

1 Corinthians 9:5

Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife?
Answer: They do.

1 Corinthians 9:6

Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
Answer: They should not have to.

Paul has EVERY right to be paid.

1 Paul argues his right from

occupations
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? (1 Corinthians 9:7)
Answer: No one.

Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit?
Answer: No one.

Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
Answer: No one.

2 Paul argues his right from the

of

Reveal Answer

.
Do I say these things on human authority? (1 Corinthians 9:8)
Answer: No - he does not.

Does not the Law say the same?
Answer: Yes it does

Is it for oxen that God is concerned? (1 Corinthians 9:9)
Answer: No.

Does he not certainly speak for our sake? (1 Corinthians 9:10)
Answer: Yes he does.

3 Paul argues his right from universal rhythms
If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? (1 Corinthians 9:11)
Answer: no it is not

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know, that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
Answer: yes, they knew.

What is Paul after?

Paul is not after their

, he is after their

Reveal Answer

of some

Reveal Answer

for the sake of the gospel.

Paul has EVERY right to receive

But he has

Reveal Answer

that right for the gospel.

Are you sacrificing for the sake of the gospel?

You might have to sacrifice
- time
- money
- comfort
- self reliance

The questions hold up Paul, but if we look closer, we see Jesus.

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” —1 John 3:16

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us.” —Ephesians 5:1-2

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” —John 10:11

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Questions for Discussion:

1 What is something that you sacrifice for right now?
2 What is God calling you to sacrifice so that the gospel can be heard without obstacle?