From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 6:08 AM

Subject: 9-2-22 THOUGHTS

9-2-22  THOUGHTS

I get an “all in” feeling as I read the passage area below.  Paul’s closing terminology is almost scary knowing his life...  “so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”  That statement sobers us, doesn’t it?  I want confidence and assurance, but I don’t want to manufacture it myself.  It must be true in God’s Word!  I need all the grace I can get, but I must be careful not to fabricate a kind of “cheap grace” that endangers my soul to make me comfortable.  Paul’s “making himself a slave to all for the winning of souls”  is sobering.  Paul says he lives to save souls!  Do we?  Paul illustrates, by saying he is not a “shadow boxer” flailing his arms without aim and to no effect!  To us he says “Run in such a way that you may win.”  There is a certain urgency in this discussion.  NONCHALANCE in life and eternity is out of place and seems to run the risk of DISQUALIFICATION!  I need to take some time and do some self examination this morning.  May we ever be “renewed in the spirit of our mind.”   Eph 4:23

1Cor 9:16-27    For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.  17  For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.  18  What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.  20  To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;  21  to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.  23  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  24   Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  25  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;  27  but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

My Prayer:
Lord, make us an urgent, alive, effective people as we reside in the blood bought Church.  Awaken us to true living in Christ Jesus. May the saving of souls occupy our hearts and minds.  Remove our casual hearts and restore the power of your Spirit within us.  Help us to see clearly the promise of eternity through Jesus.  Enliven us, O God , with your presence. Inspire us to actions of love.  Help us to abide in you.   In the name of Jesus,      Amen.
                      [Pray for our sister Heather]