Mission Over Liberty

1 Corinthians 9:1–27

Mission Over Liberty

Matt Williams Updated Staff Photo

Matt Williams

Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director

In this passage, Paul continues his argument that personal freedom shouldn’t be the Corinthians’ main concern. He challenges them to be willing to give up their liberties for the mission of winning others to Christ. Paul himself sets the example—his goal is to “find common ground with everyone” in order to “save some.”

Application

  1. What parts of your life—actions, speech, feelings, pursuits—reflect the mission God has given you to reach others with the gospel? Where might you need to repent or refocus to align yourself with that mission?

  2. What personal freedoms do you tend to elevate that might be hindering your witness to others (e.g., political stance, what you eat or drink, how you present yourself in appearance or speech)?

  3. Who are the unbelievers in your life to whom you are sharing your story and making yourself available? If you aren’t actively pursuing someone this way, who can you move towards this week?

Key Points

  • The mission God has given us to reach people with the gospel should take precedent over our freedoms.

  • Those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

  • We meet unbelievers where they are to minimize offense, but we always remain under the “law of Christ”—behaving as he would—to maintain integrity.

  • The way we live now in front of the world has eternal consequences.

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