Waiving Our Rights for the Gospel - 1 Corinthians 9:1 -18 | August 14, 2026

Welcome to today's edition of One Single Story! Pastor Stephen Mizell and Pastor Jay Rivenbark are joined by Pastor Sheryl Daughety for a candid conversation about 1 Corinthians 9, exploring what it means to lay aside our personal rights for the sake of the gospel and how ministry leaders can guard against turning a calling into a mere career. Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 - In this passage, Paul defends his authority as an apostle while explaining why he chose not to exercise his right to financial support from the churches he planted. Instead, he supported himself so that nothing would hinder the message of Christ, offering a powerful model of sacrificial leadership. In This Episode: Why Paul built a biblical case for ministers receiving financial provision from their congregations The difference between being "by vocation" out of necessity versus by choice How churches can properly honor and sustain their leadership teams The danger of pastors compromising conviction to keep major givers happy Choosing to yield personal rights for the sake of a greater gospel impact How to maintain a holy sense of calling instead of treating ministry as just a job Recognizing the signs of someone pursuing ministry for status rather than purpose Key Quote: "When your motivation shifts from what you can collect from your calling, rather than what you can surrender for the gospel, your ministry moves from a secular career to a supernatural force." One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast offering a brief, honest lesson from that day's reading in the One Year Bible. Hosted by the pastoral team at Open Door Church, each episode is a real conversation around the Word of God, designed to help you grow in your daily walk with Christ. Join us at Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina. Learn more at visitopendoor.com and onesinglestory.com. Subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a daily dose of biblical encouragement. New episodes release every weekday to help you stay grounded in Scripture. Coming This Week: Join us as we continue walking through the One Year Bible reading plan, digging into fresh passages each weekday and unpacking practical, faith-building truths for everyday life. Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #FirstCorinthians #PastoralMinistry #ChristianLeadership #MinistryLife #GospelFirst