15. READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23
a. Why did Paul make himself a slave to everyone?
Answer: Paul made himself a slave to everyone "to win as many as possible," (verse 19).
Mark 9:35: "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'"
Romans 1:1: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God..."
Romans 9:1-4: "I [Paul] speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel."
2 Corinthians 4:5: "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
Galatians 1:9-10: "As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Galatians 5:13: "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
Titus 1:1: "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the Truth that leads to godliness..."
James 1:1: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..."
2 Peter 1:1: "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ..."
Jude 1:1: "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James..."