The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
August 15
1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13
Commentary by Nick Boork
August 15
1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13
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August 15 ~ 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Chapter 10
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Finding common ground with people to share Christ
Paul said I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. His goal was to share Christ with all kinds of people. Some were religious Jews, some were Pagans, others were really wild types and still others were weak meaning morally or ethically weak. Paul realized that if he was going to get people to listen to him then he first needed to find a way to connect with people. Being friendly and showing interest in people you meet can go a long way to them opening up and listening to your testimony and the message of the gospel. Paul was a master at this. He loved to win people to Christ.
Luke, the travelling companion the Apostle Paul recorded great example of this in Acts 27. They were in a ship headed for Rome because Paul had appealed to be judged before Caesar. He was on a voyage with 276 soldiers and prisoners. Paul discerned that they were going to pass through a very dangerous storm that could destroy the ship and their lives. He warned the captain but he didn’t listen to Paul. Just like he warned them a mighty storm hit them called Euroclydon. They really thought they were going to perish at sea. Everyone started to fast and pray to the gods. The Lord sent his angel and assured Paul they would not be lost at sea but come upon land soon. Acts 27:23-24 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
After this Paul broke bread and gave thanks to the Lord in front of all the seamen, soldiers and prisoners. He encouraged them all to eat for their strength. Through this journey everyone become familiar with Paul and you can bet they now respected him because everything he told them came to pass. You see how Paul could identify with everyone on the ship during this crisis and he became the voice of hope in the darkness. This kind of connection would naturally lead some to come to faith in Christ and be saved! So, look for the ways to connect with lost people around you. God may just be setting you up for divine appointments to be the light others need to find Christ.
Overcoming temptations.
First we get a warning in 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” In other words, if you think you’re strong spiritually to resist temptation and sin be careful because you can fall into sin just as easily as the next guy. If we get lifted up in pride we are sure to fall because the Bible warns us in Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Now even though we’re all subject to the temptations of our flesh and the suggestions of the devil to our thoughts God promises to help us by not allowing us to be tempted with something so powerful that we cannot resist and overcome it.
The good news is we are assured that the Lord will provide a way of escape. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” This promise however is contingent on our choosing to do the right thing because God created us as free moral agents. The way of escape God provided for Joseph was the front door of Potiphar’s house! He had to make a decision to flee from the sexual temptation being offered by Potiphar’s wife. Another choice we all need to make is the kind of people we hang around and have as our friends. Leadership expert John C. Maxwell said: “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.”
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Living to influence other people to Faith in Jesus Christ is a great goal!
2) Paul said he became all things to all men that by all means he could save some.
3) You have to find common ground with people. Show interest and listen to them.
4) Pray that God give you opportunities to Connect with people and lead them to faith in Jesus.
5) Everyone gets tempted but it’s what we do with the temptation the counts.
6) God will not allow us to be tempted to the point that we cannot resist.
7) The Lord will always provide away of escape but we have to choose to do what we know is right.
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Chapter 10
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Finding common ground with people to share Christ
Paul said I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. His goal was to share Christ with all kinds of people. Some were religious Jews, some were Pagans, others were really wild types and still others were weak meaning morally or ethically weak. Paul realized that if he was going to get people to listen to him then he first needed to find a way to connect with people. Being friendly and showing interest in people you meet can go a long way to them opening up and listening to your testimony and the message of the gospel. Paul was a master at this. He loved to win people to Christ.
Luke, the travelling companion the Apostle Paul recorded great example of this in Acts 27. They were in a ship headed for Rome because Paul had appealed to be judged before Caesar. He was on a voyage with 276 soldiers and prisoners. Paul discerned that they were going to pass through a very dangerous storm that could destroy the ship and their lives. He warned the captain but he didn’t listen to Paul. Just like he warned them a mighty storm hit them called Euroclydon. They really thought they were going to perish at sea. Everyone started to fast and pray to the gods. The Lord sent his angel and assured Paul they would not be lost at sea but come upon land soon. Acts 27:23-24 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
After this Paul broke bread and gave thanks to the Lord in front of all the seamen, soldiers and prisoners. He encouraged them all to eat for their strength. Through this journey everyone become familiar with Paul and you can bet they now respected him because everything he told them came to pass. You see how Paul could identify with everyone on the ship during this crisis and he became the voice of hope in the darkness. This kind of connection would naturally lead some to come to faith in Christ and be saved! So, look for the ways to connect with lost people around you. God may just be setting you up for divine appointments to be the light others need to find Christ.
Overcoming temptations.
First we get a warning in 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” In other words, if you think you’re strong spiritually to resist temptation and sin be careful because you can fall into sin just as easily as the next guy. If we get lifted up in pride we are sure to fall because the Bible warns us in Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Now even though we’re all subject to the temptations of our flesh and the suggestions of the devil to our thoughts God promises to help us by not allowing us to be tempted with something so powerful that we cannot resist and overcome it.
The good news is we are assured that the Lord will provide a way of escape. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” This promise however is contingent on our choosing to do the right thing because God created us as free moral agents. The way of escape God provided for Joseph was the front door of Potiphar’s house! He had to make a decision to flee from the sexual temptation being offered by Potiphar’s wife. Another choice we all need to make is the kind of people we hang around and have as our friends. Leadership expert John C. Maxwell said: “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.”
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Living to influence other people to Faith in Jesus Christ is a great goal!
2) Paul said he became all things to all men that by all means he could save some.
3) You have to find common ground with people. Show interest and listen to them.
4) Pray that God give you opportunities to Connect with people and lead them to faith in Jesus.
5) Everyone gets tempted but it’s what we do with the temptation the counts.
6) God will not allow us to be tempted to the point that we cannot resist.
7) The Lord will always provide away of escape but we have to choose to do what we know is right.
ORDINATION
Remember, if you’re looking for Ministry Credentials and Ordination visit our website Diamond Institute to apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For more Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
Remember, if you’re looking for Ministry Credentials and Ordination visit our website Diamond Institute to apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For more Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll