1 Corinthians 9:1-23
True Spirituality is not based merely on how good you are, but how good you are to others.
How we should approach our own life's work.
Every person.
Every calling matters.
1. Seek a Calling that Compels You.
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The objective is to find something that you can't not do.
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Woe to me if I do not pursue this calling.
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Woe to me if I don't take these gifts and use them to the glory of God.
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Then you've done work that will be measured by all eternity.
2. Look For Ways to Adapt to Every Individual.
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22 I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
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"If there is any flexibility I can bring to these peripheral, non-fundamental matters, I will make that move."
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"It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people."
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We must be willing to throw ourselves into the interests of others, and to connect with them on their wavelength.
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It's our job to bend for others.
3. Run Your Race With the Intent to Win.
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24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
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Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
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I have never met a Christian who sat down and planned to live a mediocre life.
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"Is what I'm doing right now taking me closer to my ultimate goal of winning?"
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Paul's life could have been quite different than it was.
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Observing first hand the miracle of changed lives.
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We can seek to be compelled.
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We can choose to run our race with excellence.
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Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
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What can I do today to run in such a way that I can win the prize?