All Things To All Men

I Cor. 9:19-23

Some say, “Don’t preach any kind of offensive message.

The message is always non-negotiable, but who we are is very negotiable.

Introduction:

1.      Gal. 1:10 - Paul did not try to please men.

2.      Gal. 5:11 - Didn’t remove the offense of the gospel.

3.      Rom. 1:16 - Is not ashamed of the gospel.

4.      II Cor. 11:23-28 - Suffered for the gospel.

5.      Verse 19 explains Paul’s position.

a.      He is free from all men.

b.      Yet he becomes a slave to all men.

c.      Why? So he can gain the more.

d.      There is no compromise here with the truth.

e.      Paul conducts himself in such a way that all sorts of unbelievers will not be offended at him.

f.       They might be offended at his message, but never at him.

6.      I Cor. 8:1 - The question of meat offered to idols.

7.      I Cor. 10:31-33 - A “repeat” of our text and an admonition to do all things for the sake of the gospel.

To understand Paul’s position: must first understand Christian liberty.

1.      Romans 6:14 - the saved are under grace, not under the law.  (The phrase “under the law” must be understood - it means to be lost.  “Under grace” means to be saved.)  Grace is never a license to sin, but always an opportunity to win others to Christ.

2.      Titus 2:12 - Grace teaches us how to live.

To Jews, I became a Jew.

1.      Paul would obey the ceremonial parts of the law because it doesn’t hurt anyone or anything.

2.      Paul will live in such a way before the Jews that they will be able to accept the gospel message.

3.      Acts 15:1 - Should believers be circumcised to be saved?  No, because: Acts 15:20

a.      Pollutions of idols - So the Jewish believers wouldn’t be offended, and it is things they ought to stay away from anyway.

b.      Fornication - So the Jewish believers wouldn’t be offended, and it is things they ought to stay away from anyway.

c.      Things strangled - So the Jewish believers wouldn’t be offended, and it is things they ought to stay away from anyway.

d.      Blood - So the Jewish believers wouldn’t be offended, and it is things they ought to stay away from anyway.

4.      Acts 16:1-3 - Timothy is circumcised so the Jewish believers wouldn’t be offended by Timothy.

a.      Gal. 2:1-5 - Paul refused to circumcise Titus because of the false brethren who had improper motives.

b.      If these people had been willing to listen to the gospel, the story of Titus’s circumcision would probably have been different.

To them who are under the law, I became as under the law.  (These are the Gentiles.)

1.      Paul would do things contrary to what the Jews demanded when he was with the Gentiles in order to win the Gentiles.

2.      Note: I Cor. 9:21 - “…(being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,)…”

a.      Paul never sinned against the law of God in order to win the Gentiles.

b.      Paul was always faithful to what God expected of him.

3.   Gal. 2:11-14 - Paul rebuked Peter to his face because he ate with the Gentiles, when stopped eating with them when some Jews came to visit.

To them who are weak, I became weak. (These are unlearned believers.)

1.   Acts 21:17-26 - Paul took a Nazarene vow to show he wasn’t preaching against Moses and the law.