For the Gospel’s Sake

Introduction

(1 Cor. 9:19-23)

The highest service of man on earth is sharing the gospel. The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Rev. Joseph Samuel Exell (1849-1909) says, "The services of men on earth embrace a large variety. There is the service of the agriculturalist, the mechanic, the mariner, the merchant, the scientist, the legislator, the king…Men esteem these services as differing widely in respectability and honor; but the service referred to in the text stands infinitely above all."

Some are ashamed of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They attempt to water it down to make it more palatable to this generation. The apostle Paul shared the gospel willingly, wittingly and winningly. Lexicographers provide the following definitions.

Willingly means "having the mind favorably inclined or disposed." Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16-18: "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel."

Wittingly means, "done consciously, with knowledge and responsibility, deliberate." Paul said: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

Winningly means, "capable of winning or charming, attractive, winsome." In the words of our text, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul said, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 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; 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; 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. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."

From our text we discover three things we need.

I. A God-Given Mission

To win others to faith in Jesus Christ is our God-given mission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 21:47; Acts 1:8). This God-given mission extends in outreach "to the Jews" (and Gentiles), "to those who are under the law" or "to those who are without law," as well as "to the weak" (and the strong).