1st Corinthians 9 Notes

1st Corinthians 9
1st cor. 8,9 and 10 deal with questions concerning Christian liberty
Paul uses the analogy of running a race to explain to the Corinthians that we need to be stepping stones - not stumbling blocks
Instead of running just to run we must run to win - in other words just showing up at church is not enough - we have to let Christ rein in every area of our lives. What made Paul such an effective minister was that he was living for God not himself.
We are to be temperate in all things (exercise self-control) In order to be a radical man or woman for God
The body likes to rule even when we have given our lives to Christ there are still often pockets of flesh - little parts of our lives that we try to keep for ourselves
The story of Israel wanting a king and Saul becomes the kings even though God wants to give them a king - (David) Saul was tall, good looking but caused problems - got them into battles, lost the ark. Finally David is crowned over the southern part of Israel -for seven and a half more years Israel is divided and Jerusalem is under Jebusite control. David finally is crowned over the north as well and the very next scripture talks about David taking a group of men to Jerusalem and once again Jerusalem is under Israel's control.
The analogy shows - Christ needs to rule over every part of you. The self will not dethrone the self - we try to combat flesh with flesh and it doesn't work - Christ must be enthroned in our hearts. Transformation always follows coronation

We are saved by the completed work of Jesus Christ and our response while we are still on earth determines the reward in heaven. What we do here for the Lord means the difference in degrees of responsibility we are given in His kingdom (based on our faithfulness here and now.)