1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Fight The Good Fight For Jesus' Gospel

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 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. I shirk when I hear pastor's joke about their teenage children. How is the preacher going to win the teen for Christ if he doesn't come into their world. Ethnicity is another problem in the church. Denominations have been formed as much around ethnicity as theology. We must present ourselves to all persons in light of winning them to the gospel. What about the poor or those who are dirty? Did not Christ go to the cross for their souls also. So we must fight the good fight and have sober judgment so that we may be found faithful to Christ. Daily Prayer: Lord search me. Where ever you find bias or self-esteem, purge me from it. For your sake and for the sake of the gospel, have me not only persevere, but do so from a motivation of love. In Jesus name I pray Amen.