Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

I Corinthians 9: 19-23.

If you want to know what Paul preached to the Jews read the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10.) If you want to know what Paul preached to those without law, read Paul's epistle to the Gentile Ephesians (Eph 1: 3-8) or what he preached to the Athenians: Acts 17: 22: I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."  If you want to know what Paul's spirit was toward those who were weak in the faith you will not find that he turned to strength of hand or wisdom of words but read his word to stronger brethren in Romans 14: 4: "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand….14: I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus…"  Or read what he wrote to the weak Colossian brethren who were being pressured by false prophets into their form of will-worship (Col 2:16-23.)  Paul did not please himself by sitting in the seat of the scorner or by watering down the word of free grace.  He faithfully held nothing back, testifying repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ no matter who his audience because he trusted that God is able to raise and make his children stand.  Paul did this because Christ had freed him from the law of Moses, from the veil of blindness, created him anew by the glory that excelleth and he was now under the Lordship of Christ. Therefore he delighted to declare the truth, saying, "And this I do for the gospel’s sake,"--for the sake of Christ who is the Truth--"that I might be partaker thereof with you"(I Cor 9: 23; 2 Cor 3: 12-4: 1, 6.)