If you will remain standing and take your Bibles, go to the book of 1 Corinthians, please. 1 Corinthians chapter 9. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 will be in verses 15 through 18 this morning. This is the word of the Lord. But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 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 out of my own will, I have a reward. But if 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. This is God's word. Let us pray. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for this day. and for the gift of your scripture and the gathering of your people. And now, Father, we ask that you stamp with your own seal of approval and blessing on the reading and the preaching of your infallible word. Amen. Please be seated. Well, I got to tell you, I feel a little weighty up here. I have so many microphones, not that it's worthy. to have these, but if you hear any noise other than my voice, then it'll either be a cough or most likely it'll be my empty stomach. So just be forewarned. I'm looking forward to the meal after our service today. You know, these days, I don't know if you watched television last night, but these days we are fully in the election cycle. We hear a lot about rights, don't we? Civil rights. Women's rights. Reproductive rights. Animal rights. Minority rights. Voting rights. Gun rights. People on your television set are saying things like, you can't violate my rights. Or, you've got no right to say such things. Well, last week we looked at the first half of chapter 9. And in that passage we saw that the apostle Paul was stating his rights. His rights as an apostle. The right, like all other apostles, to take a Christian wife. And the right to be materially compensated for those to whom he ministered. Beyond his rights as an apostle, he asserted his rights to be paid for his ministerial services based on the common custom of all societies that a worker is to be compensated for his work. Also, because it's part of God's law. Additionally, that it was part of the universal practices and patterns in the places of worship. And finally, because it was a command from Jesus. So Paul carefully defined his right to be paid for his services, for his efforts in the Corinthian church. But we also saw that while Paul was vigorously asserting his rights, he was not relying on those rights to complete his responsibilities with the Corinthians. As he said in verse 12, nevertheless, we have not made use of this right But we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Paul was focused on the message of the gospel, and he would not allow anything in any possible way. Any possible way that was of things that were under his control to detract from the proclamation and promotion of the gospel. As Romans 1 says, Paul was called by God to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. And thus, his life was centered on the gospel and he judged himself based on his allegiance and adherence to the gospel as a special ambassador for Jesus Christ. Well, let's go back this morning. And look at each part of today's passage that we just read and see what else Paul has in store for us. And what I think we will find is that Paul continues to explain the principle. That love ought to limit Christian liberty. And at the same time, he still insists. on applying his own policy of not exercising his right to be financially supported by those to whom he is ministering. Verse 15 says, But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. But I have made no use of any of these rights." Paul reiterates that he has not made any use of the rights to which he is entitled. For all the reasons that he stated last week, he had the prerogative to claim that the Corinthians should be supporting him financially. Still, he makes clear that he has never taken what he certainly could have claimed. Paul seems to be following the precedence of Jesus in not making use of his rights. Jesus said he could call down legions of angels to destroy those who wanted to destroy him. But he did not. And Jesus set aside his right to have his feet washed by a slave. Instead of taking up the bowl and the towel, he himself takes the role of a slave. taking the place of a slave to wash the feet of his disciples. And so, yes, it seems to be that Paul is in good company in setting aside his rights for a higher purpose. Nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. And Paul says that he hasn't made use of his rights in the past, and he certainly hasn't brought up the subject at the current time so that he can now claim it. Because that's not his point. He's not trying to build a case so that he can now cash in on what he believes the Corinthians owe him. You know, sometimes people say things like, you know, I saw something that was really interesting, but, you know, I really don't want it. I want to ask you, particularly you parents and grandparents out there. Have you ever been to the toy store on the park? It's right by Jason's restaurant off Kingwood Drive. If you're a parent, it's pretty tough in there, but you can usually handle it. But if you're a grandparent, every aisle is a minefield waiting for you to attempt to breach. We have nine grandchildren and they all know on the park. They all have at one time employed this technique. Poppy, grommy. Well, there's this whatever over there, and I really don't want it, but can we just go over and look at it for a minute? I really want you to see it. You get the idea. You know what's going on. So Paul's not trying to get the Corinthians to pay him now. That's the point. He's not using the techniques our kids did. In fact, he is now saying that he would rather die than to be deprived of his ability to boast. To boast, it seems like it has a negative connotation, doesn't it? Like bragging, like a false pride that someone is using to exalt themselves over others. Another word that might fit is not boasting, but rejoicing. An inward satisfaction, an inner contentment with a particular condition. And this boasting or rejoicing or contentment was that he had never taken money for his spiritual efforts among the Corinthians. Paul knew his rights. And he deliberately decided not to exercise this particular right. Why? So as not to create an obstacle for any new believers. See, what if one day Paul was speaking to a Corinthian citizen? Who had never heard of Jesus. And Paul shares the gospel with this man, and this man says, yes, this is this is a different teaching, but it makes good sense. And I'm drawn to the way that you Christians seem to be living peaceably with each other. And what if Paul was being paid by the church at the time? He might explain to the new believers something like this. Now, the first thing I want to let you know is that now that you are a Christian. I'm going to need some money from you for the support of the church. Now, as Paul says this. Is it right for a Christian to support the church? Absolutely, yes. But is it smart to do what Paul is doing with this new believer? Absolutely no. And then what if Paul added this little statement at the end? Come to think of it, since I'm part of the church leadership, I'll just take your contribution myself with me right now. What would this mean to a new Christian? Especially a new Christian with a weak conscience. Everyone in town is going to say, oh, now we get it. Now we get it. This guy, Paul, is just in this thing for taking people's money. What else could they think? And if Paul were being compensated by the church, the chances for things to be misunderstood would be greater than if he took nothing at all. As it is, because he is not taking their money, such a situation would never occur. Remember that in verse 12 from last week, Paul wrote. We have not made use of this right is being paid, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. And so. He removes a potential obstacle to the gospel doing its work and endures and even embraces what he calls the ground for his boasting or rejoicing. Now, Paul was receiving money. He wasn't completely destitute. He was receiving money from other people in other churches than the one in which he was serving, and this became his policy. While he served in Corinth, he was being supported by the Macedonian churches. This was an excellent arrangement because it dispensed with any potential misunderstanding among the newly formed church. So he puts aside his claim, his right, and eliminated a possible obstacle to the gospel. Verse 16 says, 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. Preaching the gospel was no reason for him to boast or rejoice. Preaching the gospel was an obligation that he had. He was commissioned, commanded to preach the gospel. In Acts chapter 9, when Saul, then Paul, met Jesus on the road to Damascus, a man named Ananias was commanded by Jesus to give Paul every aid. When Ananias balked at doing so because of Paul's past history of persecuting Christians, the Lord says to Ananias, For he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." Preaching the gospel wasn't something he chose for himself. It was a command from the Lord. It wasn't an option. Paul was compelled to preach the gospel. He says, necessity is laid upon me. He was compelled to preach, and if he did not, woe to him. Beginning in Galatians chapter one, verse 13, Paul says this. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his son to me in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. In other words, when the Lord Jesus told him that he would go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel, he needed no further instructions. He was compelled to follow the instructions of his Lord. And had he not done so, great distress, great misery and affliction would strike him. The same thing happened in the case of Jeremiah, didn't it? Like we read in our Old Testament passage this morning. Jeremiah was instructed by God before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you were born, I consecrated you, I appointed you a prophet to the nations. And then Jeremiah said, ah, Lord God, behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to him. Do not say, I am only a youth. For to all to whom I send you, you shall go. And whatever I command you, you shall speak. And do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. And then the Lord put out his hand and touched Jeremiah's mouth. And the Lord said to him, Behold, I put my words in your mouth. And then in Jeremiah 20, The prophet tried to stop preaching, and when he did, he found out that he could not. He was compelled to preach. In verse 9 of chapter 20, the prophet says this, If I say, I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, there is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Paul experienced the same thing as Jeremiah. He was compelled to preach the gospel. Verse 17 says this morning, For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What's Paul saying here? He's saying that if he preaches the gospel because he wants to, he receives a reward. But if he doesn't want to preach, well, then he's still entrusted. He's still responsible as a faithful steward for preaching the gospel. So whether he desires to or not, he is compelled to. And thus, by implication, he doesn't even really deserve payment. for his preaching. Paul's possession of the gospel message was a stewardship. A stewardship is a relationship in which someone gives something or some responsibility to another that is valued to them and which is to be cared for properly. This is the case of the gospel. The Lord gives to the preacher what is highly valued for safe care and appropriate use, not to bludgeon people, not to beat them into submission, but for its proper, appropriate use. And promises stern discipline for the one who treats it loosely. Paul writes in verse 18, 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. Paul's definition of freedom in his ministry with the Corinthians was to have the capability not to exercise his right. This is a difficult passage, folks. This is probably one of the three most difficult passages to understand because of the language and the focus and the position that the Apostle Paul has. But listen to what he says, that his definition of freedom was to have the capability not to exercise his rights. Paul was compelled by God to receive the stewardship of the gospel. When he was regenerated and converted that day on the way to Damascus, he was changed forever. From that time on, he was compelled to preach the gospel, and we can only imagine the serious trouble he would have been in had he shirked the fulfillment of his assignment. But while he was under compulsion to preach, he was not compelled to receive payment for it. He could have rightly accepted payment for his efforts, but he chose not to because he preferred that arrangement. As an apostle, he had every right to receive recompense for his great loyalty and dedication to the cause of Christ. But if Paul found greater satisfaction and joy from refusing to take payment. And in that, he received an overwhelming freedom, being not beholden to men, nor to confuse those with weak consciences, so as to potentially imperil the purity of the gospel. Well, as we conclude this morning, let me make a few brief observations. Does this mean that ministers of the gospel are not to be paid? Does this mean that ministers of the gospel are not to be paid? That they should do what they do without any compensation at all? May it never be. Paul was a pioneer. The first apostle specifically ordered to take the gospel, the full gospel, to the Gentile world. Because of that, the circumstances under which he labored were also unique. That's why I personally believe that the gift of apostleship is no longer extant. It came and went with the original apostles, the only apostles, and it no longer exists. Almost all the people he met in the Gentile world were unfamiliar with the Jewish faith, and so many were dealing with completely unknown concepts of God, of a God with which they were entirely separate. Culturally, most were still tied to the pagan experiences they lived with before Paul arrived. They were fragile in their understanding as a result. As Paul counsels the Corinthian church in chapter 8, many of these new Christians had weak consciences, and they easily drifted back to the pagan world. Paul told the Corinthian church in chapter 8, verse 11, And so, by your knowledge, this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. And that's why he spends the time he does in chapter nine explaining his position about receiving pay for the gospel, that some weak new Christian might misunderstand the reason for payment and reject the fellowship of the church. And despite his right to the compensation, Paul preferred to set it aside rather than confuse a brother. And in that he boasted, he rejoiced. But do the same circumstances apply today? No. Remember last week's sermon, Paul himself gives the Corinthians several reasons for compensating the minister of the gospel. If you've forgotten them, you can find them in chapter 9, verses 1 through 14. And in verse 14, Paul summarizes the idea in his words. Those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. Yet Paul was an apostle. His freedom was in the capability not to exercise his rights. As I said last Sunday, whether it be a problem of eating meat offered to idols or compensating the one who preaches the gospel or any other issue that might overwhelm someone possessing, as Paul calls it, a weak conscience or a lack of knowledge, the foundational point for every Christian in settling any problem or issue is to maintain and nurture The priority of the understanding and the communication of the gospel, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And next week, we will pick up here and examine Paul's concept of Christian servanthood in order to win the lost to Christ. Let us pray. Our Lord and our God, you have honored us by calling us through the proclamation of the gospel, not by human wisdom or reasoning, but by your power. Bring to our minds that all that we are and will be is tied to the reality and truth of Jesus Christ and him crucified. Remind us continuously that your divine will is found in your word and that our guide is the Holy Spirit. And great father, if it be your will, should there be anyone here today who does not know you or is rebelling against you, draw them to yourself that they too might be convicted of their sins and turn to the only one who can save their soul. We ask that you make us more like Jesus, sanctify us, work in and through our lives to conform us closer to who you want us to be. be our sword and our shield in the authority of Christ we pray. Amen.