Today is John Alley’s birthday. As befits the occasion, he was required to extinguish a candle and insert a knife into a cake.

In Session 6, John talked about 1 Corinthians 9 and the references Paul makes to the requirement for the church to support its ministers.

1 Corinthians 9:27
[27] No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (NIV)

Need to discipline our bodies to be faithful to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9 starts with Paul’s claim to be an apostle. Even if others don’t accept him, he is an apostle to the Corinthians.

Vs. 3-6. He and Barnabas have the right to eat and drink.

Vs. 7-9. Nobody serves in the army or tends a flock at his own expense. The law says you cannot muzzle the ox when it treads the grain. It’s not about animal welfare.

Vs. 10-12. Ox is symbol of ministers.. they carry a heavy burden. 5 -fold If we sow spiritual thinks, should we not reap material things? There is a right for support, but we do not claim anything that might put an obstacle in the way of the gospel.

Normally John expects an offering when he ministers in rich countries, but if there is no offering he does not make any demands. He knows that the Lord provides every need.

Vs. 13-14. The priests in the temple get food from the temple, and those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.

When you do things God’s way, giving of yourself, he pays the bills.

Vs. 15-19. He does the work willingly for reward. He preaches free of charge so that there is a reward in the call. It is not necessity, but a free offering.

V. 25. Athletes run for a perishable crown, but we discipline ourselves for the sake of an eternal reward.