Ryan spoke to us from 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 about how Paul laid aside his right to financial support from the Corinthians to serve as a powerful example of what he is calling them (& us) to do: to always be willing to lay down our rights for the sake of the gospel.
Key Verse
If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Outline:
1. the right to freedom
2. the freedom to serve
You can play the podcast using the “Play in Pop-Up” link below the player which will allow you to visit other pages while listening.
A broadband connection is recommended to listen to this talk from the web.
Subscribe to this Podcast in iTunes (Free)
If you have any questions about this talk please leave a comment or email the speaker.
I enjoyed Ryan’s talk at morning church and was challenged to think about what rights I may need to give up for the sake of others.
I do hope though that no one mistakes the packaging of the talk with the message. The kids talk was a mock protest and there were lots of references to protests in the talk and service leading. I don’t think the message was that we shouldn’t protest but that we shouldn’t demand OUR rights at the expense of others.
I would like to encourage Christians to be taking a public stand against injustice and see that as part of our witness to the world (think about Wilberforce and the abolition of the slave trade). So don’t be scared to write a letter to the editor or march for a human rights issue – just let people know that the reason you care about them and the world is because you are a follower of Jesus!
Ryan, thanks for the challenging talk! It’s amazing to think that we all should have the attitude of Christ, who so humbly gave up all the riches of heaven to submit to the Father so that we could all be free to live. Praise God!
There is so much around in the world that advises us to stand up for our rights, particularly anything that impacts our selfish lives, but yet the Gospel should reform our entire thinking, and our entire lives.
I heartily agree with Katja. It is important to stand up for the poor, and oppressed people around the world. It would be so easy to say that we show love to others by remaining silent, where instead our freedom in Christ means we are free to speak up, serve and care for those who are hurting, despised and outcast from our communities. If people ask why we would do such a thing, the easy answer – Jesus and all that he has done for us! Be encouraged to take a stand against the injustice around the world…
Yes, the issue is really whether we will demand what we believe is rightfully ours, or choose to care about others by making it easier for them to follow Jesus. Whether we protest or not, and whether there is a difference between making a stand for others’ rights, our own rights or some moral issue is a separate discussion. But really, the same principle applies: Will what we do and how we do it encourage people to seek Jesus or put up a barrier to them seeking Jesus? I have no doubt there are certain instances where protesting something we see as immoral might do more harm than good, and give a picture of Christians as ‘religious’. But other instances where standing up for people would be a loving thing to do. Thanks Katja and Jasmine for the good thoughts.
I don’t have anything philosophial to say, unlike Kat and Jas…sorry.
What I do have to say though is extremely important
Ryan, it pains me to admit that Ritchie was right, you can in fact milk sheep…you can even buy ‘dairy sheep’…who knew? I looked it up after bible study last night and have already apologised to Ritchie for doubting him
So, there you go. Mystery solved