Big Idea: We live with open hands so more people can find and follow Jesus. To Live With Open Hands: 1. Hold Your Rights Loosely 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. 16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 (NIV) • Open hands value the gospel more than personal rights. 2. Hold People Closely 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV) • Open hands make room for people because the gospel is for everyone. 3. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus 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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) "What am I willing to surrender so someone else can experience Jesus?" Next Right Steps Open Your Hands to God This week, identify one area you've been holding too tightly—your plans, your comfort, your time, your finances, your reputation, or a personal right. Pray: "Lord, this belongs to You. Help me trust You with open hands." Remove One Barrier to the Gospel Follow Jesus In Believer’s Baptism November 15 TALK IT OVER Big Idea: Followers of Jesus willingly hold their rights, resources, and lives with open hands so that more people can experience the hope of the gospel. Opening Prayer: Invite someone to thank God for the grace He has shown us through Jesus Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to help each person trust God with open hands, put the gospel first, and become more available for God's purposes. Icebreaker: Describe a time when you willingly gave something up to help someone else. Looking back, was it worth it? Why? Read Together: 1 Corinthians 9:1–27 & Hebrews 12:1–3 As you read, notice the different things Paul willingly gave up so that others could hear the gospel. Reflection Questions For Families with Young Children What does it mean to have “open hands”? How did Jesus show us what it means to give instead of always wanting more? What is one way our family can serve someone this week? Examples: Help a neighbor. Invite someone to church. Encourage a friend. Share with someone in need. Pray for another family. For Teens and Adults Paul had certain rights but chose not to insist on them because he wanted people to know Jesus. Why is that so different from the way our culture often thinks? Can you think of a time when giving up a preference helped someone else? Read Philippians 2:5–11. How does Jesus become the ultimate example of living with open hands? What rights did He willingly lay aside for our sake? Paul became “all things to all people” so that he might win some to Christ. What do you think that means? How can we adapt to connect with people without compromising biblical truth? Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. What disciplines help us stay focused on God's mission? Which distractions most often pull us away? Think about your influence. Who has God placed in your life right now that may need encouragement or an invitation to know Jesus? How can you intentionally invest in that relationship this week? What is one thing you may be holding too tightly? A right? A preference? Your schedule? Your comfort? Your plans? How is God inviting you to trust Him with open hands? Choose one Next Right Step this week. Surrender one personal preference for the good of someone else. Invest intentionally in one relationship that could have eternal impact. Pray each morning, “Lord, help me live with open hands today.” Memory Verse: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV) Prayer Time • Pray for hearts that are open and available to God. • Pray for opportunities to share Christ. • Pray for those who are far from God.