Main Idea: Natural rights and personal freedoms must be understood in light of our shared gospel mission.

Sacrificing Personal Rights and Freedoms for the Sake of the Mission – v.1-18

• 1–3 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 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 would examine me.
• Brief examples: sacrifice of social and marital fights
  • 1 Corinthians 9:4, 5
• Lengthy example: sacrifice of financial rights
  • 1 Corinthians 9:6, 7
  • 1 Corinthians 9:8–10
  • 1 Timothy 5:17, 18a
  • 1 Corinthians 9:11, 12
  • Galatians 6:6
  • 1 Corinthians 9:13, 14
  • Luke 10:7
  • 1 Timothy 5:19b
  • 1 Corinthians 5:15–18

Viewing Personal Rights and Freedoms Through a Gospel Lens – v.19-23

• Philippians 3:3–7
• 1 Corinthians 7:22, 23
• 1 Corinthians 10:31–33

So What?

• Are there any personal rights or freedoms I enjoy that I would not consider worthy of sacrifice for the sake of our gospel mission?
  • Philippians 3:8–11
  • Galatians 5:13–15