1 Corinthians 9: Will You Receive The Crown?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “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.”
1. Christ (V1-8)
V1 “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?”
Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians that they should love and support God’s preachers. Though there were Christians who supposedly loved God and men, yet in reality, they hated and opposed God’s preachers. The reason was that they might not be Christians, and even if they were, they had backslidden to the point where they hated and opposed God’s preachers. Let us truly love God’s preachers as they preach God’s word!
V2 “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.”
2. Corn (V9-23)
V9 “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”
Paul explained to the Corinthian church that they must love and financially support their full-time preachers, just like the farmers would not muzzle their oxen but let them freely eat the corn which they were ploughing on the field. However, Paul knew that the church must do it willingly, and hence, Paul became a tentmaker to support himself while preaching the gospel. Let us as a church truly loves and financially supports our full-time preachers and staff, because God shall richly bless and reward the church in due time.
V18 “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.”
3. Crown (V24-27)
V24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Though it was not an easy road for Paul as he faced much hatred, opposition and persecution, yet he persevered to the end. He was determined to finish his Christian race well, so that he could gladly receive the incorruptible crown from his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and hear His comforting words, “Welcome, my good and faithful servant!”
V25 “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.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to finish my race so that I shall receive Your crown.
