1 Corinthians 9:23-27

“Freedom” at Corinth  The Corinthian party-down town!  Indeed, we do have freedom under grace! “All things are lawful!” 1 Cor. 10:23 “All things are lawful!” 1 Cor. 10:23

“Freedom” at Corinth  The Corinthian party-down town!  Indeed, we do have freedom under grace!  BUT: Don’t use freedom to live like a loser! “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Cor. 10:23

“Freedom” at Corinth  The Corinthian party-down town!  Indeed, we do have freedom under grace!  BUT: Don’t use freedom to live like a loser!  Use freedom to build real love relationships! “All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor!” 1 Cor. 10:23-24

 “Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10  This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ  Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…) Christianity 101: God  Me. “Faith in Christ” Christianity 101: God  Me. “Faith in Christ” ○ Now what ???? ○ More “Worship Services…” ○ More “Spiritual Disciplines…” ○ More “Religious Activities…”

 “Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10  This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ  Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…) Christianity 101: God  Me. “Faith in Christ” Christianity 101: God  Me. “Faith in Christ” Advanced Christianity: God  Me  Others Advanced Christianity: God  Me  Others

 “Love Edifies.” – 1 Cor.8 to 10  This IS the “New Life” from Jesus Christ  Living beyond “Christianity 101” (1 Cor.9:1…)  How does “Love Edify” actually WORK? “Yet I have never used any of these rights!” 1 Corinthians 9:15 Love is a choice, not a feeling…

1. Choosing to Sacrifice. Leading an others-centered life. Leading an others-centered life.

1. Choosing to Sacrifice.

2. Goal-Oriented Sacrifice. ○ BUILDING spiritual relationships ○ …Me & God together

 But we always make goals! Usually materialistic goals… Spiritual goals? Relational goals?

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!” Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!” Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding… v.6 …In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!” James 4:13-14 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. v.15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that."

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!”  It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?” Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!”  It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?”  Humans are builders by nature! Genesis 2:15 “…cultivate it…” We love to watch things grow! We’re incredibly creative! But “work” is a drag today!

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!”  It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?”  Humans are builders by nature!  We continue building in ETERNITY! “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:21

 But we always make goals!  “But that’s not very spiritual!”  It’s a question of “what’s worthwhile?”  Humans are builders by nature!  We continue building in ETERNITY!  So start building now! John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Win or Lose?  Losers… Don’t run… Don’t run… Wandering, lacking focus…Frustration! Wandering, lacking focus…Frustration! Bad direction… Bad direction… 1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Win or Lose?  Losers…  Winners… Consider it, think about it… Consider it, think about it… Small steps, not giant leaps! Small steps, not giant leaps! ○ “ONE another…” Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Win or Lose?  Losers…  Winners… Consider, think about it… Consider, think about it… Small steps, not giant leaps! Small steps, not giant leaps! Concrete steps, not vague wishes… Concrete steps, not vague wishes… ○ “consider HOW…” Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Win or Lose?  Losers…  Winners… Consider, think about it… Consider, think about it… Small, concrete steps, not giant leaps! Small, concrete steps, not giant leaps! Results-oriented thinking Results-oriented thinking Prioritized goals… Prioritized goals… Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Goal-Oriented Thinking 1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.