The Vocation Of The Man Of God – Part 1

1 Corinthians 9:1-18 I suppose there are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of vocational possibilities. The job market is flooded with all kinds of opportunities. Some are noble jobs, jobs for the benefit of society. Some are detrimental to society. Not all positions with the highest salaries are noble and uplifting for mankind. In past generations, the ministry was highly honored. Theology was called the queen of sciences. Men who sought the ministry were commended and respected. With the serious downfall of prominent clergymen in recent decades, the ministry has come into disrepute. The office, however, is of the highest order. Just because some men have denigrated the ministry does not mean it is a bad office. The ministry deals with the soberest conditions and considerations in life. Everyone ought to contemplate a personal relation to the Almighty God, by whose benevolence we all live. But the minister has been called to stand for God as His spokesman and as a mediator for his fellowmen. That puts him in an awesome position. There should be some way to regain the high sense of THE VOCATION OF THE MAN OF GOD. The apostle Paul offers an explanation in I Corinthians 9:1-18: 1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Fr...