1 Corinthians 9:15-16 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me… We have here — I. A DECLARATION OF AN EXISTING OFFICE — to preach the gospel. 1. The gospel is a simple statement of glad tidings to a perishing world. To speak merely of the nature of moral duties, to discuss the various attributes of God, to describe Christian virtues, to speak of a future state and its retributions, is very well in its place, but it is not the gospel. If there be not warm statements of the atonement then there is a blank in the "counsel of God"! 2. With regard to the manner in which we are to discharge our duty. These principles are to be made known to all within our reach. The minister of Christ is to allow no limitations or restrictions to his message. He must "warn every man, and teach every man," &c. 3. This gospel must be "a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death," to those who hear it. II. THE RENOUNCEMENT OF ALL RIGHT TO SELF-EXALTATION ON ACCOUNT OF THAT OFFICE, "Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me." There is in man a powerful tendency to self-exaltation. The same principle would fain accompany us in our Work of preaching the gospel; but ministers have nothing to boast of. 1. Because we are under the bond of absolute necessity. For the apostle says, "Necessity is laid upon me." There is — (1) The positive command of God: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."(2) The constraining influence of love to the Redeemer. (3) A sense of the necessities of men around us. 2. Because, whatever talents we possess, they are given us entirely by God. 3. Because all our success is entirely from the agency of Heaven. The preacher remembers to have been told, "My son, beware of the bribe of talent"; this was understood — "Beware of the bribe of applause," and this was understood. But then there was another caution, which was a secret — "Beware of the bribe of usefulness"; this could not be understood. We are apt to say, "My success! My usefulness!" and so Satan overcomes us. Now, the gospel goes to destroy this tendency. It says, "Not by might," &c. III. A SENSE OF CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM INFIDELITY IN THIS CAUSE. "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel." 1. Why should he have this woe? (1) Because it is an intrusion upon an office which God would have occupied only by His own servants. (2) Because it is an act of absolute wickedness to undertake so important an office and not perform it. (3) Because it is an attempt to sustain the weight of immortal souls without being able to bear it. 2. What is this woe? (1) We should encounter the censure of all good men. (2) Our death-beds can else be nothing but desertion and misery. (3) The contemplation of condemnation on the judgment-day. (J. Parsons.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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