Introduction

Good morning. Today, we will study 1 Corinthians, Chapter 9. Time truly flies. Before we know it, we are already at Chapter 9, the theme of which is to share in the blessings of the gospel. Paul wrote this chapter in response to questions posed to him, and he needed to defend himself.

I. Questions Posed to Paul by the Corinthians

We do not have access to the specific questions asked by the Corinthians. However, previous inquiries concerned marriage, whether to marry a stepmother, and what to eat and drink—all mundane matters. In this regard, we are no different today; people are still preoccupied with such trivialities. The Corinthians questioned whether Paul was an apostle, comparing him to Cephas. This reminds me of a couple who attended a short-term theological course. I did not think much of their theology teacher as he could not answer the students' questions adequately. Upon their return, they questioned the validity of my baptisms. The truth is, anyone can perform baptisms, and whether they are effective is a preposterous notion. Baptism and making a decision for Christ prove nothing.

Although the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and arrived at Mount Sinai, they fashioned a golden calf, reverting to their pre-exodus ways. The Corinthians’ questions to Paul were similar to the couple's concerns after their short theological stint: whether Paul had followed Jesus and his motives for establishing churches in Corinth. They were also perplexed by the fact that Paul did not bring a wife as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers, including Cephas, did. They surmised that Barnabas, who also did not bring a wife, might have a dubious relationship with Paul.

If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? (1 Corinthians 9:2-6)

The Corinthians fabricated stories, questioning Paul’s apostleship and suggesting that he was serving them for monetary gain. They could not fathom that Paul would serve them without expecting something in return. Because Paul did not take their money, they suspected he was planning a grand scheme to exploit them later. The Corinthians were overly suspicious and could not believe that someone would be genuinely good to them. Those among us with some means are prone to such suspicions, and I am cautious to avoid misunderstandings. Some think that others serve them with ulterior motives. However, Paul stated that he sought nothing more than to share in the blessings of the gospel.

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:23)

Paul did not seek worldly benefits, as there are none to be gained. In reading this, we can discern the Corinthians’ mindset. They assumed Paul had ulterior motives and judged him by their standards—a classic case of judging others by one’s own low standards. People can be wicked. Over the years, I have become astute in my ministry, recognizing when someone is harboring ulterior motives and preemptively reminding them not to think negatively. This is a serious issue in the church. Indeed, many pastors are motivated by self-interest. It is not just one rotten apple spoiling the barrel, but the entire barrel being full of rotten apples.

Through Paul’s letter, we can infer the nature of the Corinthians’ questions. This serves as a reminder to us, brothers and sisters. Over the years, I have encouraged you to scrutinize me and not blindly trust me. If I constantly demand your trust, people will rightly ask why they should trust me. You must examine my motives. If I am not seeking to share in the blessings of the gospel, I would not want to do this work. Frankly, this work is often painful. I encounter many people with limited understanding, especially those like the Corinthians. In ministry, I often meet mini-Corinthians who have their own agendas and are quick to misinterpret. Sometimes, I accept the criticisms and grievances. But if a pastor is not genuinely motivated to help others share in the blessings of the gospel, this work is unbearable. Paul wrote extensively to explain his reasons for serving.

II. Paul Explains His Motivation

I greatly admire Paul. I often say that if I have the opportunity to meet him in heaven or on earth, I would shake his hand, call him brother, and share a cup of coffee with him. Paul’s explanation is clear and logical. First, he states his goal. Explaining his objective is crucial, clarifying the reasons and purpose behind his actions. Do not measure Paul’s intentions by the petty suspicions of the mini-Corinthians. Paul is not as depraved or indulgent as they are; they are utterly base.

In the preceding chapters, Paul patiently answered a multitude of questions about marriage, food, and drink. Then, he explained his strategy. He laid out the specific methods he used to achieve his goal of sharing in the blessings of the gospel. Paul’s aim was to obtain a crown of glory in heaven, not perishable wealth. He had met the Lord Jesus, and when the Lord spoke to him, he was blinded. At that time, he was a persecutor of Christians, spiritually blind. Therefore, he knew and deeply believed that he must dedicate himself to pursuing heavenly glory.

If someone is unaware of their goals and merely seeks blessings among us, they may receive some benefit. Just as those near Abraham received some blessings, but that is not the goal Paul wishes to convey. Today, brothers and sisters, we must remember that life passes quickly, and in the end, everything will seem ephemeral. Without a clear goal in life, one will live miserably. Recently, I ministered to a grieving sister whose brother was dying of lung cancer. Typically, lung cancer patients live for about three to four months. She was distraught because he was her only brother. I had ministered to both her brother and her father, so I knew what kind of person her brother was. Among the three siblings, her brother and his wife had seized their father’s inheritance, denying their sister’s claim. This was not handled well, and now he has lung cancer.

Today, I learned that one of my colleagues’ uncles coveted his grandmother's property. Before she died, he himself developed lung cancer. Another sister’s father also has lung cancer. I have now resolved my covetousness. Do not think that I am speaking ill of the deceased; I am merely pointing out that if one only seeks earthly benefits, they may contract lung cancer or some other form of cancer and suffer until death. Life requires a goal. Those who covet others’ property will often meet a tragic end. This sister explained that her brother kept things bottled up. However, I knew him and that explanation did not fit. These matters should not be ignored. If I were in a similar situation, even if my father had written a will leaving everything to me, I would persuade him to divide it equally among my five siblings because my younger brother and sister are less well-off. I would split my share between them.

This sister’s father left 100% of his inheritance to his son. Consider how that arrangement was reached. He likely relied on his son for old-age care and demanded that the inheritance be allocated according to his wishes. His father was afraid to refuse, fearing that no one would care for him. The father was also behaving badly, treating this as a transaction. Brothers and sisters, regardless of your age, understand that caring for parents and honoring the elderly is a blessing, not a transaction. Giving money to parents if and only if they give you money is not the behavior of a true child. Such actions deserve the suffering of cancer because they lack a clear purpose in life. Do you have a glorious hope like Paul?

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1)

Paul told the Corinthians that he was free and their apostle. As you read this, you might feel that Paul was insistent on being recognized as an apostle, but being an apostle is not easy. What he wanted to convey was not whether he was an apostle, but rather that the Corinthians were confused and needed Paul to pull them out of their stupor. Therefore, Paul had his strategies and methods.

III. Paul Has a Clear Goal

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

One must have a goal. Do you now understand why I put in so much effort and still feel it is not enough? I am becoming increasingly diligent, and this is because I want to win the prize.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

Upon careful reading, you will find that Paul was remarkably astute. His goals were clear: first, establish why you are doing something. Let me share my discoveries with you (though I am unsure if others have articulated them before, or perhaps I have not read them). My discoveries are: having a clear goal, a well-defined strategy, and the right methods. Whatever you do, if you clarify these three things, you will succeed. People like me enjoy setting goals and running straight toward the finish line, willing to pay any price.

Therefore, the clear goal is to obtain an imperishable crown. Like runners in a race, we must exert all our effort. The goal is to share in the blessings of the gospel, to obtain the heavenly reward. Some pastors preach about eternal life but live for the present, preoccupied with earthly matters. In such cases, it is natural for them to seek the money of others. So, what is the goal in life? If what they believe is different from what they lead others to believe, that is deception. For example, if they believe in money but cannot tell you and instead have you believe in eternal life, that is deception. If I urge you to pursue eternal life while I pursue money, our actions will be inconsistent.

So-called unity of knowledge and action means that one’s beliefs and actions are consistent. Let me give you an example. A pastor approached me wanting to outsource a cancer patient to me. I wondered why he did not outsource those who gave more in offerings, but now wanted me to do the work while he kept the money. I suggested that for every hour I minister to the patient, he should also minister for an hour, similar to how the government matches private investments in a project. However, he replied that he had no time. What was he doing with his time? His church members had been attending his church for years, but when they needed ministry during cancer, the pastor had no time. No wonder they got cancer—they were in such a church. This pastor does not see ministry as a grace, but rather sees money as a grace. This is the unity of knowledge and action; his beliefs and actions are aligned. In other words, what he says is different from what he thinks. Therefore, talk is cheap, and con artists are the most eloquent.

After setting his goal, Paul believed that he was pursuing a glorious crown and wanted others to obtain it as well. So to be frank, I do not care if I die. Since I do not care if I die, neither do I care if you die, or if your mother is dying. Someone whose mother has cancer asked me to pray for her to live longer. I told him to urge his mother not to be so attached to life. You love to live, but I do not really want to live. I advise everyone to see through life and death as soon as possible. The sooner you see through it, the better you can live your remaining days.

I have overcome numerous obstacles to reach where I am today, all thanks to this core principle: I have a glorious hope within me, not one that simply fades away with death. It is the Spirit that gives me life; my spirit will return to God, which is far better. Many say I cannot die, for what would become of them? I cannot concern myself with that at that time. Now, I might say it is fine, and I will bless you from heaven, setting an example. What kind of church do you think a fear-of-death, flesh-indulging pastor, leading a congregation of equally fearful members, could build?

Paul explained to the Corinthians why he did what he did, telling them he was pursuing the benefits of the gospel, which is the glorious, imperishable crown in heaven. Similarly, for me, this is my lifelong pursuit, my Mingding Destiny. I want to offer my life for this cause, and nothing else matters. Paul was not deceiving the Corinthians. They asked those foolish questions because they were slow of mind and could not understand Paul. After reading 1 Corinthians, the Corinthians were bewildered because they had no such pursuit and could not believe there was such a person in the world, so they did not understand it at all. Then they debated with Paul and eventually parted ways completely. The Corinthian church then utterly rejected Paul, causing him to suffer the pains of childbirth again because those who are of the flesh cannot understand spiritual things. 1 Corinthians is so well-written, but even now, few can understand it.

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. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

That is to strike a blow to my body and make it my slave. Although Paul was unwilling in his heart, he had a clear goal. His service was not according to his own will but according to God's will, always seeking to share in the blessings of the gospel. He would not preach the gospel to others and be disqualified himself. He was not deceiving the Corinthians; they were simply too inferior.

IV. Paul Had a Clear Strategy

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:19)

Jesus said He would make them fishers of men. Here, Paul gained a group of little Corinthians, willing to serve them. Is there sin in Paul willingly serving them? He willingly and gladly served these people as if serving God, not seeking anything from them, but only the benefits of heaven. Paul's clear strategy was to be a servant to all. This was Jesus' idea. If you want to achieve this goal, to win people, you must win their hearts. If you win people's money, that is catching fish, not winning people. So I want everyone to know today to begin to lay down the authority you have.

If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:12)

This is Paul's strategy. He served the Corinthians because he had the authority to be their apostle, high above them, and receive their money, but he did not use this authority. He willingly served all, supporting himself and his co-workers with his own hands, without taking any advantage of the Corinthians. He had his own strategy, which was to lay down the authority he deserved. If winning people is to gain something from them, not only will people know it, but even the dogs on the street will know it. Today, everyone can continue to examine whether I am seeking anything from you. I am only seeking to stand together before the Lord Jesus one day and share in this glorious crown. If I wanted to seek something else, I would not be doing it this way. Paul had a wealth of skills and could have become a professor at a university, instead of doing so much and being so exhausted. Paul was not trying to fish for big gains; he wanted to catch men, not fish.

So, when we serve people, we should not have the idea of wanting to gain benefits, but only want them to gain benefits, and that is all. I just want people to gain benefits. Perhaps you may have been offended by some people somewhere, but know that they were wrong. It's okay; you can imitate me and join me in gaining the benefits of this gospel. Life passes quickly and has little meaning. Laying down your authority and becoming a servant is the best strategy.

V. Paul Had His Own Methods

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22)

Paul had his own methods. Do you think his methods are commendable? Don't think he was being two-faced. You must know that methods are just methods and must be subordinate to the goal and strategy. We have chosen the strategy of being a servant, so we must lay down our authority. When Paul served people, he would not be arrogant, disdaining those who had not been circumcised and making them feel that he, as a circumcised Jew, was superior. If he encountered someone uncircumcised, he would not immediately tell them that they needed to be circumcised, which would not only fail to win them but would offend them from the start. So, he did not boast in these things before people. He boasted to those without the law because they, the Jews, had been given the law by Moses since ancient times and were God's chosen people, which would cause conflict.

If people are weak, we become weak, able to understand their situation. This is just a method, not a matter of being two-faced or multi-faceted. When we serve, we must know how to place ourselves in the right position. Some of our small pastors, even some district leaders, have a problem: they often question why people do not understand. If people do not understand, they are waiting for you to teach them. It is not about looking down on people but about knowing where their weaknesses lie and what kind of service is needed to be effective. Paul also used this method, becoming all things to all people. If we are to boast, let us boast in the Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is everywhere, just to save more people. Of course, if people do not want to listen, we should stay away and not try to be ingratiating. There is no need for that. That is not a way to win people; it is being foolish.

VI. Service Is Paul's Choice

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, for I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:15-18)

This sounds somewhat like a complaint. Paul did not really want to do this, but he would be rewarded if he did it willingly, and he would be in trouble if he did not do it willingly. Weighing the pros and cons, he still had to do it well. This was his choice. He was unwilling, but the responsibility had been entrusted to him. It turns out that we are to share in the benefits of this gospel. Don't think I like doing this very much, as if I have nothing else to do. I can easily find a place to teach, or work as a carpenter, or find a place to write code; it is not a problem at all. This is my own choice. Today, I choose to do this because God has entrusted me with this responsibility, allowing me to share in the benefits of this gospel with everyone. It would be foolish not to do it well. Thinking about it this way, you will understand. Paul said this because the Corinthians did not know how he made his calculations: he would gain benefits and rewards if he was willing and cheerful.

Once you have embarked on the path of being chosen by God, never be rejected by God again. Be willing and cheerful to offer yourself. That must be a wise choice to make. Those without wisdom end up choosing lung cancer. Everyone must be clear-headed and understand what you are doing. Once you have thought things through, it will be extraordinary because the benefits of this gospel are so great. It is to gain a glorious crown in heaven, not just empty talk. This is our choice of service, so our pastors and brothers and sisters must make a wise choice. Look at those who have been deceived, being swindled out of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands. Someone who was scammed by P2P recently began to recover and proudly said that his debts were finally paid off. Don't think it is something to be proud of to have paid off your debts; you must choose carefully and be careful not to be scammed again.

VII. Service Is My Reward

What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18)

After reading these words, can you understand that this is a reward? I do not fully understand it either, so I will just try to explain it here. Nothing else can be explained except that service is a reward. Service has no purpose; it is itself a reward, not for other people's money. I also have the authority to ask people to pay for my service, but I do not need it at all. This service itself is a reward. To tell you from the bottom of my heart, I have grown a lot in these past few years because of building the church. In the past, as a member of the church, although I had memorized several copies of the Bible, I only understood it halfway, vaguely understanding it.

However, entering into service, I was forced to constantly grow and constantly recognize spiritual truth and climb forward because I could not solve problems. If there was no service, I would find a temple, get up in the morning and kneel in the temple to pray for 12 hours before going home for dinner. Kneeling until my knees were calloused, becoming like the knees of an old camel, would be useless, and no problems would be solved. But because I saw the needs of the brothers and sisters, such as giving lectures on active learning during the Spring Festival, I would finish lecturing and then rush to prepare the lectures for the next day. Those days exhausted me. Don't think I can speak eloquently without preparation; in fact, it all takes a lot of effort to sort out before I can finally explain it clearly.

Service is a reward. I really love to serve. An old retiree can't do much, whether it is pumping gas at a gas station or serving dishes in a restaurant, or finding someone to play chess with, having a cup of coffee each morning and evening, and then never appearing again because they are dead. Such a life is very boring. Someone even suggested that I get a dog, but that is not my hobby. God really understands people like me who do not like to eat, drink, and have fun. I have no hobbies other than work, so God has arranged for me to serve Him. Service is a reward, but also a grace. Leading Bible studies gives me listeners, and I grow the fastest myself.

Now, if you want to share in the benefits of this gospel with me, come and serve God with me. We have many ministries here, such as the text ministry, the editing ministry, and the Cantonese ministry, 003, 002, 001 ministries. You can volunteer to be a small group leader and serve people. We also have training, and you can observe first. I eagerly hope to share in the benefits of this gospel with you, and you also eagerly hope that others will share in the benefits of this gospel with you. This is our lifelong pursuit, Amen!