Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Co 10:1) “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;”  Point: all had the same opportunity to love and obey God. The same is true today, certainly some of us more than others. (Lk 12:48b) “….For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:…”  Have you lived according to the advantage you have been given?

(1Co 10:1) “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;”  Every person in Israel had experienced the blessings of God. It is speaking in the same sense as Jesus’ Words: (Mat 5:45) “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Yet, just because one experiences the goodness of God, it does not follow that it indicates a saved person.

(1Co 9:26) “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: (27)  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”  Paul practiced personal holiness of living. Such living serves as proof that one has been saved, changed by the new birth. The word “castaway” speaks of being put aside as unapproved, unworthy. This is speaking not of position (saved) but of worthiness to serve.

(1Co 9:24) “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (25)  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” We do not “run” to receive salvation. That was given at the point of our spiritual birth. We receive rewards for serving our Lord. In doing so we live a “temperate” life – one of restraint, for His glory.

(1Co 9:23) “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”  Here he is referring to the fruits of the gospel, the offspring – the people added to this church. How many people have you brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

(1Co 9:22) “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”  The Lord gave Paul a heart to humble himself before men for their soul’s sake. The only reason the Holy Spirit led Paul to pen words that hold up his position as an Apostle was to remind the saved they needed to heed his words. The Lord never feeds our pride, for pride is sin.

(1Co 9:19) “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more… (21)  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.” Though Paul lived as reach those who were not Jews, he also did not participate in sinful practices in an effort to reach them. I ask you, “Does it make since to sin in order to reach a people you wish to save ‘from’ their sins?”

 (1Co 9:19) “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (20)  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;”  When with the Jews Paul obeyed the various laws of conduct, eating, etc.. Why? Once offended they would not listen to the message He was sent to give. We give the gospel as not one who is superior, but as one who also once needed that same message.

(1Co 9:18) “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. (19)  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”  The reward was a wisdom allowing Paul to see within his own heart. A pride was there he was afraid to feed (abuse). So, he made himself a servant to all to aid his fight against pride, seeking humility. The result was spiritual in every way, that for self and souls for the Lord’s glory.

(1Co 9:17) “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” Paul, as Saul, persecuted saved men and women. He was responsible for making them blaspheme (deny) Christ, and spoke against them sentencing some to die (Acts 26:10-11). When saved, he was “drafted” to give his life in the very ministry he once persecuted. His own heart gave him no other choice (v.16).