Chapter 9 Continuation…….

v7 What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? NLT

v8 Paul’s argument was not just a human opinion for even the Law of Moses supports it:

v9 For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? NLT

v10 This was written to show that those who work must share a harvest

v11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?NLT

v12 The Church had supported others, but Paul and Barnabas had put up with everything and given up on this privilege for the sake of the Gospel.

v13 Do you not know that those who officiate in the sacred services of the temple eat from the temple [offerings of meat and bread] and those who regularly attend the altar have their share from the [offerings brought to the] altar? AMP

v14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. NLT

v15 Paul states he had not used any of those privileges, nor was he willing now, and he would rather die than be denied of his boasting about preaching without charge.

v16 I don’t have any reason to brag about preaching the good news. Preaching is something God told me to do, and if I don’t do it, I am doomed. CEV

v17-18 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. NLT

v19 Even though Paul is free without any Master:

v20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. (NLT)

v21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. (NLT)

v22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find COMMON GROUND with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. NLT

v23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. NLT

Paul was running/serving with a purpose:

v24-27 Run to WIN:

v24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to WIN! NLT

v25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. NLT

v26 So I run with a PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. NLT

v27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. NLT

Chapter 10: Warning from Israel Idolatry/History

v1 In the desert the Israelites were being guided by the cloud which moved ahead of them (God’s Presence), and passed through the Red sea on dry ground. (Baptism into Moses).

v3-4 God provided Spiritual food (Manna) and Divine Water from the spiritual rock (Christ) which followed them.

v5 Most of them did not please God and thus were scattered in the wilderness (NUM 14:29-30)**

v6-8: “These things happened as a warning to us, so that:

a). We would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” NLT (EXODUS 32:6)

b). And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.” (NLT)

c). v9-10: “Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.

d). And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. (NLT)

**v11These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. **

Standing Firm:

v12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ( NLT)

v13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (NLT)

Warning against Idolatry

v14 Flee from Idol worship

v16 When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? NLT

v17And though we are many, we all e

at from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.