King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, December 02, 2025
Chapters: I Corinthians 9-11
Message: I Corinthians: Live The Gospel
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of I Corinthians, we learn that God gives all saved, born again Christians the ability to reach the lost by becoming examples that draw them to them. We also learn the importance of sacrament and why we must not engage in the partaking of it unworthily and why those who teach the Gospel ought to be live the Gospel, [1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.]
I am a mess today, I thought that after my mom’s funeral things would get back to some kind of normal, but there are only more loose ends to tie up. I keep hoping for some miracle and then I remember who I am talking to, the king of all miracles Himself, We just read this, [1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.]
Someone asked the question, “What grows a person more, the prayers God answered or the ones He does not answer?” I believe God answers all prayers and sometimes, it is a flat out “No”, but we are not always willing to accept that. Sometimes, it is “Wait” but patience is definitely not something we are very good at. However, sometimes we do get the “Okay” right away. You know, even before we got saved and started thinking about Jesus, God was waiting for just right time to save us. The second that we say that we are fully trusting in His Son to save our soul that is when He grants us eternal life, [John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.]
Paul, has written a letter to the Corinthians who had been divided as a church and part of that division was due to immorality that was being condoned withing the congregation. Truth be told, there were several people there who somehow talked themselves into believing that having liberty in their salvation meant that they were free to engage in the lusts of their flesh. On top of that there were several questioning Paul’s testimony as well. Now, Paul, finds himself having to explain himself to them.
[1 Corinthians 9:1-6 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?]
In other words, we have the freedom to do whatever we want to do with our lives regardless of whether or not we are saved. However, those who are saved are sealed with the Holy Spirit and that power enables them to do the same things that Paul or any of the other evangelists did in regards to reaching the lost with the Gospel. Having that power does not make us more superior, it makes us more usable, which Paul goes on to say.
[1 Corinthians 9:11-12,16-17 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.]
Do you see how God blesses us when we stay true to our faith and use the talents He gives us to reach the lost? We not only have eternal life to look forward to, we are also blessed with earthly blessings when we use our talents for His glory as well, [Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.]
This past year I decided to take God’s gifts of baking and web designing to a whole new level by featuring Christ in my work and promoting my work to likeminded individuals, churches and businesses. I know it will be more profitable than had I just kept doing it for my own profit. So far I have not gotten any work but then again, God knew I was going to need to deal with my mother first. This is why His timing is everything, He knew that I would be here at this very moment well before I even feared getting that call that we need to get to the hospital. Believe it or not, God uses our grief and pain to become a witness to others as well as our talents. Paul, goes on to describe how his freedom to choose Christ is what motivated him to be an example for those who need one.
[1 Corinthians 9:19-23 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.]
I can account to this, God, for some reason has given me the ability to adapt to my roles over the years. I have been saying for years that God puts me in a position where He needs me until it is time to move on, whether in a church, office, or grocery store. It is the Holy Spirit in us that actually trains us for the position that we are called to do and He will use us in whatever means He needs us in order to reach the lost. Paul, goes on to explain the many position that he had to reach the lost.
[1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.]
What this means is that each and every one of us is given our own race to run in this life until we get to the finished line. While there may be several people with similar experiences as we have there is a finish line that we must cross on our own, it will either be heaven or hell. Those who receive Christ as their Saviour have already crossed the halfway mark to win the prize of eternal life, but we have a race to finish and cannot stop running until God brings us home, [1 John 5:3-5 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?]
That incorruptible crown is eternal life, or immortality with Christ, [1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.]
The second that my mother stepped out of her frail, shell of a body and into the presence of Jesus she became immortal as does everyone else who is up there in heaven. Nevertheless, None of us are perfect, we are not always going to agree on everything, but should all be in agreement with the Gospel. While some do see fit to live a certain way contrary to what is biblical, it is not for us to judge, God will deal with each of us as He sees fit. While He could have used anyone to tell the world who He is, He first used the Jews as an example of the blessings that come by being faithful as well as the curses by being rebellious. Even though they had no clue who Jesus was back in the days before He came here in the flesh, they still knew that He existed as the LORD. Paul, goes on to stress the fact that Christ has always been with them, even from the Exodus.
[1 Corinthians 10:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.]
The miracle of God opening up the Red Sea, and their walking through it on dry land, was a picture of being baptized in Christ. That entire scene is actually God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit present with them at the same time. The pillar being the Holy Spirit, the Angel of the God, being Jesus, and God was the wind holding the waters back, [Exodus 14:13,21-22 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.]
The point of Paul addressing this was to remind them that the Jews fathers were under the same judgment as everyone else, even back then. They may not have known that the angel of the LORD that was there with them was Christ, but believers knew that the LORD was with them. And just because He chose them to be His people that did not mean all of them were His children. Paul, goes on to point out why.
[1 Corinthians 10:7-11 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.]
The second that you tell yourself that you will never fall into temptation that is when you will fall. Being arrogant in ones faith is worse than being ignorant to it, It actually takes a fall for us to realize that one; we need Jesus all day long, two; we are sinners with the same sin nature that we had before we got saved, and three; we are examples that will either lead others to or discourage them from Christ. Paul, goes on to explain this
[1 Corinthians 10:13-17 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.]
Paul, reminds us that we are all joined together by His body and blood, and need to take that very seriously, otherwise we provoke God to jealousy, [1 Corinthians 10:20-24 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.]
This is why we are not bound to the Law of Moses, but ought to be careful to maintain good works contained within the Law as God sees fit. Not everything written in the Law applies to us, but we need to respect it all. God, is faithful when we are faithful to Him, He does not need to bless us at all since our salvation by grace is enough alone, but He does anyway, even when we do not deserve it. Yes, we are saved by grace and nothing we do can take away our salvation, unless we believed in vain, but that does not mean that it gives us the freedom to live like the devil is inside us.
God, is faithful when we are faithful to Him, He does not need to bless us at all since our salvation by grace is enough alone, but He does anyway, even when we do not deserve it. We do not have to be perfect for God for Him to bless us because His Son is perfect in us, but we must not forget to acknowledge His blessings, even the ones that are not joyful. We may not like everything that He blesses us with, but it is through those tough love blessings that He helps us bare the burdens that come with them and He bring us closer to Him.
[1 Corinthians 10:30-33 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.]
Yes, we are saved by grace and nothing we do can take away our salvation, unless we believed in vain, but that does not mean that it gives us the freedom to live like the devil is inside us. Since everything we do reflects Christ, that means if we are living our lives only to please our flesh then, we are not only making Him look bad, all Christians will as well. Think about it, if we are saved that means we are all one body of Christ, so if one blends in with the world, it brings consequences to all of us, which is why we all need to be following the example of Christ and quit trying to be like impress everyone else.
[1 Corinthians 11:1-5,7 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.]
Any man who engages in public acts in the worship of God, whether it be prayer or singing covering his head with a hat or something other than hair was considered as being dishonorable. This was due to the fact the Jews would not allow a man to speak in public without a veil over his head, like Moses did. They failed to recognize that Jesus remove the veil on the cross, [Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.]
Now, as for the women, this is referring to their hair and any woman praying or singing in public worship of God without their head covered was considered as being dishonorable. This was due to the fact that it would distinguish a man from a woman, in other words, their hair ought to be long enough that they still look like a woman. We do not want to bring confusion into the church, this is why it is important for a man or woman to look like one, which Paul goes on to explain.
[1 Corinthians 11:10-15 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.]
Until we come to the realization that we are all the same, unworthy sinners who are merely saved by the grace of God through our faith in Christ that is when God exalts us, [1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:]
The Lord’s Supper (sacrament), is an observance that many churches participate in today, the purpose of it is to remind those who are saved why they are saved. The Corinthians distorted this observance first by including it in with a normal feast, and second, denying the poor to partake of it. Paul, reminds us that since we are all joined together by Christ’s body and blood, we need to take it seriously or else it will cause some serious problems.
[1 Corinthians 11:20-25 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.]
This is why Baptist churches do not participate in a weekly sacrament, if we did, then it would become just some other ritual and would lose its significance. The purpose of sacrament is for those who are saved to observe that it was Christ’s body that was broken and blood that was shed for our salvation. It is not the actual blood and body of Christ like many churches misinterpret. If they are not saved, and participate in this observance, then God will chasten them, the sad thing is many never realize it is God, and suffer needlessly. If we are going to observe this when the church observes it, then we must examine ourselves, and get right with God..
[1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.]
There are way too many saved, born again Christians suffering and even dying prematurely because they would not let go of their sin. There is a reason why God has given everyone freewill, He does not nor ever has forced Himself on anyone, but should they choose Him then He expects them to proceed as He instructs them. It is all about respect. Think about it, are you okay with people being rude to you yet expecting you to do something nice for them? By the way, God, is way more merciful than we are. We need to take a good hard look at ourselves and make sure that we are not taking our liberty for granted, [Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I want to thank You for Your goodness in supplying all my needs. Certainly You have blessed me with physical blessings such as food, clothing, shelter, an awesome job, but You also shower me with spiritual blessings as You allow me to serve You. Lord, I want my testimony to be an example of Your life changing, all sufficient, and all sustaining mercy, grace, and love to all who need to know Your Son. I have a race to run, and must keep going to the finish. Lead me and guide me, make me who You need me to be, let me accept and acknowledge all Your blessings, and let me forever praise You for You are good even when You take things away, for even they are blessings. And let me never partake in the Lord’s Supper unworthily. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2025 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.