1 Corinthians 9

"Dear Father, who sees my heart, Help me to follow the excellent example of the Apostle Paul. Though he had a right to earn his livelihood from his..."

"Dear Father, lover of all peoples, Though I am free from all men, let me become a slave to all, that I may win many, many more people to the cause of..."

"Dear Disciple, Disciple-makers live to do one thing: they live to make other disciples! I gave the Great Commission to My original disciples, and I....."

Become all things to all men... We must never be willing to sacrifice the things we believe in to gain popularity, but we must find a way to become all things to all men, so that we may by all means save some.

Are you willing to go into training to win the prize? We look at the sacrifices that athletes make, and we understand why they do what they do. In the same way, we have to be willing to "go into training" to obtain eternal life

Why is it so easy for us to live in denial? Larry Zinck talks about the wildfire destruction and how people can live so close to the danger zone and think it won't ever happen to them.

"In the same way [as God commanded farm animals to be fed for their work], the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living..."

"[In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says of himself,] "But I have not used any of these rights. And I...."

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."

"I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

"Dear Father, Help me to compete like a runner aspiring for an Olympic gold medal. Help me to exercise discipline and self-control in all things that...."

"Paul's great object was not merely to instruct and to improve, but to save. Anything short of this would have disappointed him; he would have men..."

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:27 -- No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:19 -- Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:15 -- But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.© Copyright 1973, 1978, 19

Run to Win.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:22 -- To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:14 -- In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:22 TV -- I’m flexible, adaptable, and able to do and be whatever is needed for all kinds of people so that in the end I can use every means at my disposal to offer them salvation.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:22 TV -- I’m flexible, adaptable, and able to do and be whatever is needed for all kinds of people so that in the end I can use every means at my disposal to offer them salvation.

Instead of spending all of our time focused on re-gathering, we need to ask ourselves how we are have been doing the essential things that go with being Jesus' church Phil Ware acknowledges the burnout and frustration in our church leaders from having to do church online and virtually, but at the same time challenges us to go back to the book of Acts and see how using our technologies to share Jesus is essential.

How do you reach everyone with so many different tastes? Patrick Odum uses the popularity and methods of the Old Spice Guy to reach out and touch us with the aroma of Christ and the smell of evangelism.

Everyone is welcome, but they may not know it We don’t have to change the entire service on account of those who might visit. But we should be aware of their anxieties and uncertainties, going out of our way to make them feel more at ease.

O God, make our hearts ache for them to know Jesus! Phil Ware continues his series on "The Andrew Effect" by focusing on connecting those we know with Jesus.

Godliness means having the commitment and the spiritual discipline to live in ways that honor and reflect the character and compassion of God. Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word, and a closing blessing for worship from home with family and friends in a meaningful way - we are called to live godly lives, intentionally!

What have you done to grow your soul lately? While we focus on physical exercise at the beginning of the year, why not also focus on spiritual exercise, too?

So who are we going to exclude? Phil Ware reminds us that from the very beginning of the Christian movement, Jesus and His followers recognized that the Gospel and the church are for all people.

It's not about starting, it's about finishing It's important to start our walk with God, but even more important that we finish it. We have to persevere until the end.

Is fighting for the status quo and defending the way we've always done it really faithfulness? Tim Woodroof continues his series on "Change in the Life of the Church" and focuses this week on faithfulness and how we define it and how Jesus and Paul define it -- staying on the journey and responding to changes faithfully rather than trying to do thi

What do we do in the face of evil and meanness? Phil Ware continues his series of messages related to "The Story" curriculum, using Abraham's call to be a blessing to be a reminder to us as well.