Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Co 9:16) “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”  There are two types of men who are called to preach. There are the Isaiahs, “Here am I send me” and the Moses, “O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.”. The latter normally resist because they do not feel worthy. Paul fit this: (1Co_15:9) “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

 (1Co 9:15) “But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.” Paul was not led to pen those things for his own sake, but so that they might realize he had not in any way profited, or to the minds of some – robbed them. He could have taken from them and it not been sin to do so, but he desired only one thing: to serve the Lord in a way of which sinful man could not condemn.

(1Co 9:13) “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? (14)  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” It is easy to expect others (the minister) to sacrifice: work a side job or make less than the others in your church. Has the Lord not said that whosoever would follow Him must take up their own cross? I have found that when God’s people tithe, there is enough to care for both the pastor and the church.

(1Co 9:12) “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”  How could taking from them hinder the gospel? If a person does not give as unto God freely of their heart, they will begrudge what they give. In my own church the persons I had trouble with were most always non-tithers. They did not give nearly as much as those who did tithe yet moaned over the spending of what was at that point God’s.

(1Co 9:12) “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”  Notice that this is not simply a “gift of giving” on the part of the congregation: “If others be partakers of this power [authority] over you,…” This thought has been built upon the previous verse, the spiritual is of such value that “… , is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

(1Co 9:8) “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? (9)  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10)  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (11(  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”  When God’s people put the spiritual before the physical, they cannot do enough for their pastor. On the other hand, when they see him as an hireling, working for them, they won’t do enough.

 (1Co 9:7) “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”  One cannot truly divide one’s time, lest one of those things suffer. The flock needs full attention for feeding, healing, watering, guarding, directing. It is also true of the church of God, the sheep the Under-shepherd is called to watch over (Acts 20:28).

(1Co 9:4) “Have we not power to eat and to drink? (5)  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (6)  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”  From the beginning certain honors were shown unto God’s ministers. These men represented the Lord, ministering not to the flesh, but to the souls and spirits of others. Remember: the spiritual always comes before the physical.

(1Co 9:3) “Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, (4)  Have we not power to eat and to drink?”  Paul’s authority over the church is being challenged. Defense? His defense will be…..the practice of others of like position based upon (here is our only source of authority) the Word of God (v.8-10)!

(1Co 9:1) “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (2)  If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.” One of the most rewarding things of leading another to Christ is the love they feel for you afterwards. The Lord alone does the saving, yet we find they love us for our role in their salvation. I pray each saved soul gets to experience this by leading some precious soul to our Lord.