Sunday Bulletin January 11 2026
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Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
January 11, 2026
‘Do Christians Have Rights?’ – 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
1A. Paul’s rights as a Christian (vs. 1a)
1b. Paul wrote a series of questions beginning with, “Am I not free?”
2b. We too have the right or liberty as Christians to live as we please as long as we do not violate the Scriptures.
3b. We refer to this doctrine as Christian liberty (See 8:9).
2A. Paul’s right as an apostle (vv. 1b-14)
1b. Paul had the right to be compensated for his apostolic ministry, but did not demand it from the Corinthians in order to be an example to them (8:9-13).
2b. He first reminded them that he was an apostle (1b-2).
3b. He then defended his right to be paid for his labor as an apostle (vv. 3-14).
3A. Paul did not demand his right to be compensated by the Corinthians so that the gospel might not be hindered among them (vv. 15-18).
1b. Paul did not defend this right in order that he might be compensated.
1c. In fact, he would rather have died than to be compensated.
2c. To refuse compensation was a reason for Paul to boast though he ultimately boasted in the Lord.
2b. He could not boast in preaching the gospel for he was compelled to preach it.
1c. He did not volunteer to be an apostle, but Christ commissioned him.
2c. His apostleship was not of his own will or initiative, but of the will of God.
3b. Paul’s reward then was not in the preaching of the gospel, but preaching it without charge.
Questions…
1. Do we have the right as Christians to live as we please?
2. Why should we at times limit the exercise of our Christian liberty?
3. What right did Paul have as an apostle?
4. Why did he forgo this right?
5. What is the connection between 1 Corinthians 8 and 9?
6. Why could Paul not boast because he preached the gospel?
7. What did he mean by, “…woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
8. According to this passage, will Paul be rewarded for preaching the gospel?
9. What was his reward?