The Blessings of the Gospel
1 Corinthians 9:23
by: Pastor Jun Saulog
Intro:
We believers desire for blessings. Who doesn't? I guessed it is normal to any person of this world. Sometimes, this may be the reason why we search for God, because we seek for his favor to invoke on us. But few of us have discovered the real key to be bless by God. It is in the gospel. This is what Apostle Paul is trying to labor hard so that he can have his share of blessings from God. He knows the blessing it will bring him when he work for the gospel. That is why he do everything for the sake of the gospel according to him on 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. This is the reason why he never stop evangelism the gospel to many people as possible.
What are the blessings of the gospel?
- The joy of conversion. (1 Thessalonians 2:19 - for what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?Indeed, you are our glory and joy.)
This is what Paul was always bragging about, the joy he felt for this converts of his evangelism. People of this world are happy when they acquire things, when they gain a lot of money. Their joy is on material things that will not last and easily fades away. (1 John 2:16-17)
Nothing can compare to the joy you have when you win souls for God. The happiness is there when the person you brought to God who is used to be broken and wretched by different sins and vices has suddenly turn to God. He use to be in darkness but now in the light. From the power of Satan but now in the power of God. (Acts 26:18)
- To preserve our salvation. (1 Timothy 4:16 - Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.)
1 Timothy 4:12 - because you are setting yourself as an example.
You preserve your salvation because you make yourself an example. You want to give a good testimony so you can convert. You try to live worthy of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)
By doing this, you can preserve your salvation.
- God will keep you because you are his instrument. (2 Timothy 2:21 - Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.)
Just like in a company, the employer will keep the employee whom he thinks as an asset. He even provide him a good benefit because his employee is productive. The same to us who win souls for God, the more we are fruitful, the more God will keep us and use us. (John 15:2)
- You have God's favor. (1 John 3:22 - and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.)
You have the favor of God because you pleases him. So what pleases God then? If there is anything that pleases God is when there are souls that are being saved. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Every time there are souls being saved, there is celebration in heaven. (Luke 15:7)
So because you pleases him, you can ask anything from him.
God has business. His business is to save soul. We are his instrument. When we evangelize and labor for the gospel, you will surely receive the blessing from God because he is a just rewarder to anyone who does what pleases him.
