Sermon February 15th
“This week our Sermon was from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian, writer and preacher who’s best known book is, “The Cost of Discipleship.” In the early 1930’s he was offered a prestigious pastorate in the United States which he turned down so that he could get on a boat back to Germany and resist the rise of the Nazi party. He could see the evil and was compelled to stand against it. This decision would cost him his life. He was eventually arrested and martyred for his faith. It was Dietrich who said, “Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God.” I witnessed this same thing in the example of my own parents who sold their house and gave 100% to the church so they could start a “Christian Hippie Commune.” Why do some people go “all-in” with Jesus while others are content to do the minimum? Does your life make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God? Once you know your why, it changes your decision making tree. I will go where you send me. I will yield to your will. I will spend my life in your service. Paul taught the Corinthian Church to give-up their rights to law suits, food offered to idols and a paycheck for the sake of others. We called this the “choose to lose so that others can win,” principle. Verse 19 reads like Paul’s mission statement for life: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” Once you know your WHY you can then have clarity on your WHAT. Should I marry or be single? Should I marry this person? Should I take this job? Should I give part of my income to the Church? Should I use my vacation time to go on a mission trip? Should I learn how to share my faith? Should I join a small group? Should I read my bible? Paul bookends this teaching in verse 22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This is an UNLIMITED pursuit. It is a mission without walls. We don’t serve only on Sunday. We serve every day. We don’t give only a tenth of our resources. We don’t take a vacation from being a Christian. We don’t hold back. We give our ALL. Why are you here? Why are you the way you are? Why now? It’s all part of God’s plan. Once you discover your why it will compel you to surrender your all in reckless abandon. Then you will be free to ask, “What?” Why comes first. What comes next. I don’t want to miss the next thing God tells me to do. Whatever His will, I want to be ready to say, Yes!
Discussion Questions
1. How have you seen others go “all-in” for Jesus? What do you think made them like this?
2. Are you living all-in for Jesus? What are some areas that keep you from serving Him with reckless abandon? How does this keep you from “choosing to lose so that others can win?”
