February 22, 2026 SERMON

Live the Difference

Do What You Have to Do 

1 Corinthians 9:15-27 

I intentionally skipped the first part of chapter nine because Paul is teaching the church that they should pay those that serve in God’s calling in the same way they would expect to pay someone doing any other kind work. Now, Paul and I have both chosen not to receive wages for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although I totally agree that Paul’s teaching is correct it simply doesn’t apply to us. 

So, we’ll move on and review some lessons from Green Eggs and Ham: First… We need people that are persistent, like “Sam-I-Am.”

We can tell that “Sam-I-Am” really believed in his message. He thought green eggs and ham were worth trying. So, he does not give up. He comes up with every alternative he can think of to persuade his friend. 

Simply, he did not give up. He lived the conviction that his friend was missing something that was worth having.

Do we have something that is so worth knowing that we will not give up in telling about it? This certainly was the apostle Paul’s attitude when it came to the gospel.

Sometimes I think those of us in the church have become like Sam’s friend who won’t eat green eggs and ham. We are so afraid to try something new that we end up missing out on something that is great. We are afraid to explore outside of our comfort zones that we miss exciting things God has in store for us.

We have been studying Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth and we have been challenged to “live the difference.” We are to “live the difference” that Jesus makes in us because His Spirit dwells within us.

When we recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and He comes into our lives, there are dramatic changes. We live in ways that are decidedly different than before. Our priorities are different.

We are no longer living for self. In fact, we have been freed from that, and we are now to live lives that are Christ like and holy.

When we begin to live this way, we have special opportunity to do ministry. When we begin to live this life of faith, it is so real and so special, we can’t keep it to ourselves. We want others to know. We want others to experience the wonderful blessing of God’s grace, just as we have.

Because we have loved and embraced the change that God has made in us, we want others to also know God’s love.

But, we find out that people don’t want to embrace the same change we did. It strikes us as odd at first. And for many of us, as soon as the opposition comes, we close up shop. We feel it is not worth the effort. After all, who wants to be rejected?

There’s no doubt that the culture of our day is increasingly becoming more difficult to penetrate.

It is hard to get the message heard, and rejection is becoming the norm. 

But let us not forget that today’s culture is the culture that you and I have been placed in. This is our mission field.

When you leave today, you will be entering the mission field.” But the question is, though you are entering it, will you engage it? Will you really tell the truth? Will you tell the truth about Jesus?

You see, it is my belief that… WE MUST DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO BE HEARD.

Before we figure out how we are to do this, let’s recognize our situation, because there is a problem! People are staying away from church in record numbers.

A survey asking “Why don’t you attend church?”

Of those that responded, 74% felt there was no value to attending church. Along with that, 34% felt the church had no relevance to the way they lived.

You see, in our culture today, the church appears narcissistic and self-serving. We are so enamored with the god of ourselves, that we look for formulas for our Christian life and for the church. And because we are so enamored with looking like the successful Christian, we spend our time answering questions that no one is asking us.

 I think we answer such questions because we are not listening. We don’t know what our neighbors and friends are really asking. I firmly believe that There are no secret formulas when it comes to ministry. And if there is any formula, it is this,
Learn to change.

Have you noticed how different things are done now? When Paul was writing this letter, it was a matter of having quills and ink. As I worked on this message, it was a matter of a laptop computer, a Microsoft operating system and Word 365. 

 Some churches reflect one deacon’s attitude when he said, “Change is sin and we sin as little as possible around here.” But let me say, if we are not being heard, it is time to change.

So, we will find in our study of I Corinthians 9:15-27 three methods that enable us to be heard.

I. The first method is BE PROCLAIMING (15-18). 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Our number one priority is always to be the gospel (Romans 1:16).

Paul is all about the gospel. When we use the word gospel, we mean the good news about Jesus. This is what drives Paul. He knows that it is the gospel that has radically changed his life for the good. This is why he writes: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Paul understands that it is the good news about Jesus that makes a difference in a person’s life.

For example, There are two strangely connected events that occurred in 1865 that impact American lives today.

In that year, General William Booth founded the Salvation Army, and now legions of people who were living opposed to God now rise up and praise Him.

During that same year, a cousin, John Wilkes Booth, assassinated President Abraham Lincoln and became one of the most despised men in American history. One cousin blessed the nation, the other cursed it.

And it is the gospel that made the difference.
So let us recognize that we are stewards of God’s words.

While not all of us are gifted to be “preachers” so to speak, we are all given the responsibility to proclaim the Word of God. No one gets away with not doing this. We are all stewards. We have been given God’s words, not to keep to ourselves, but to share with others, both in how we live and what we say.

Paul notes how important it is for him. He under-stands that he has a much higher call than to give good advice. He is to communicate the good news.
In fact, this was much more than just a good idea to him. It was an irresistible call.

He felt both constrained and compelled, so much so, that if he did not do so, it would be a matter of anguish. It would pain him to be quiet.

He keeps communicating because he knows that we are to work for the profit of the many. He is not in this for himself. He would rather be dead than anyone think that he preached and taught for money. 

And as was noted in the first verses of chapter nine, he did not look for financial support from churches. He never asked for it. He never expected it, even though he makes a case for it. He only has one profit in mind, which is seeing people saved from their sin.

This brings us to, The second method is BE PERSONAL (19-23). 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
 

This portion of Scripture is one of the most intriguing when it comes to the mission of the church because we are called to be winners.

Now, I am not talking about winning and losing in a competitive sense, although that will be the context during our next point.

Paul makes it known here that it is his aim to win people to Jesus. Five times, he states, that it is his aim to win people. He wants to persuade people to follow Jesus and thus save them from the wrath to come.

It is here, then, that Paul tells us how to do it.
Simply, we need to adapt to every circumstance.

Paul views himself as a slave to all in order to win them. He will modify his habits. He will give up on his preferences. He will change his entire lifestyle, if need be, in order to keep people from dying in their sin.

Now Paul is not viewing this as some situational ethics. He will not sin in this process. That would be a contradiction. But he will do what he needs to do to gain a hearing.

First, he speaks about those that are under the law. These would be ethnic Jews, as well as Gentile God-fearers. While Paul felt he was free from Jewish ceremonial law and was no longer bound to it, he would gladly accommodate if it would open the door for his witness. 

He would do the same for those that were outside the law. He would participate in the practices of unbelievers if it would gain him a hearing.

 

Paul also speaks about the “weak” it is a reference to those that are slaves to sin, embattled to such a point that they are weak in their wills and minds. I believe Paul is saying that he is willing to stoop to the level of their weakness and comprehension in order to gain a hearing.

Throughout this process, Paul will not break God’s moral law. They are His timeless principles. Paul also is determined to not compromise the truth about Jesus. It is a gospel of grace. 

He will not change the truth in order to satisfy anyone. So, if one is offended by God’s Word, too bad. But if one is offended by our behavior or practices, their problem becomes our problem, and we must be willing to change.

We are partners in the salvation experience. I don’t always understand why, but God chooses to use us when it comes to communicating the gospel.

This is not just one of his plans. It is His only plan. So you are called to play your part in order that some are “saved.” Don’t discount your part! You are called to personally communicate the good news so that people will experience Jesus like you have.
 

III. The third method is BE PASSIONATE(24-27). 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

It is at this point that Paul turns to an analogy of sports and athletic training. And it is here we learn that we are to be determined to succeed.

When it comes to communicating the good news, we do not run for short-lived fame. We are working for that which is eternal. We are not earning that 

which is fading and temporal. Our prize is immortal souls. So, we had better run and run hard. There is much at stake.

In so doing we are to be dedicated to doing our best. I believe Paul is rebuking those of us that are half-hearted, out of shape Christians who do nothing to prepare themselves to witness to the lost. 

We are fighting a real fight. We are running a real race. And it had better be our aim to win. When it comes to gaining a hearing, we have got to do this right. We must be disciplined. We have got to do this in a way that succeeds and not be satisfied with anything less.

We must do what we have to do in order to be heard. So, here are Paul’s evangelistic principles for life.

 First, we are not to keep silent. You see evangelism is not pew sitting. We are not to show up on Sunday morning and think we have done all we need to do. There is much more to the Christian faith than coming to church. 

We are people on the move. We are people that live the gospel. We are people that do not keep silent. Because if we are not saying anything, we are not doing this right.

Because of the intense competition in the automobile industry, car makers like to keep their design breakthroughs secret. A company that can offer a new desirable feature in its cars gains a coveted selling edge in a tough market.
 

This is why it was a surprise in the early 90s when Mercedes Benz aired a certain commercial. It showed one of their cars being crashed into a brick wall during a safety test. The way it withstood the impact revealed why its energy-absorbing construction has saved lives. 

Even though Mercedes Benz held the patent on the safety design, competitors were free to use it because the company did not enforce its claim. When asked why, the Mercedes Benz spokesman replied, “Because some things in life are too important not to share.”

Doesn’t that hit it right on the head when it comes to the Christian and the good news? Folks, the gospel is too important not to share. 

 This being so, we need to recognize that we must change when it is appropriate. Paul will write later to the Corinthians, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

As Christians, we are to be experts when it comes to change. After all, we are new creations. We know all about what is new, a new song, a new heaven, a new wine, a new life, a new covenant, a new man, and a new command.

You see, if we have a real focus when it comes to communicating the good news, we are not primarily interested in doing things the way we like them. We are interested in doing things that accomplish our goals and purposes to win the lost.

But the problem is, that through the years, Christians have gotten especially good at alienating themselves from the people they are trying to reach. This is the very thing that Paul is encouraging us to avoid. 

Paul wants us to know that it is possible to be culturally relevant and biblically sound. The concepts are not mutually exclusive.

You see, we are to be uncompromising in our purpose. When it comes to the gospel, we have got to have an attitude. We are to be people that are absolutely intent on introducing people to Jesus.\

We must be uncompromisingly disciplined. We are not here just to get by; we are here to win people to Christ. We are partners in order to save some.

So, let’s not be caught being lazy, caught up in the self-gratification of the day, worshipping the gods of recreation, entertainment and leisure. Instead, let us be good stewards of God’s words, using them to answer the questions people are asking.

Be proclaiming, yes, let’s be telling the world about Jesus, for we have a story to tell and it is my hope that you love to tell it.

Be personal…there is no substitute for getting in people’s lives…knowing who they are, what their interests are, and loving them…it is then you will know their questions.

Be passionate…run all out…don’t compromise on your effort; instead be disciplined to do what needs to be done so the good news will be heard.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.