On Sunday mornings we're going through 1 Corinthians chapter by chapter and verse by verse and today we're in chapter 9 and our text will be verses 19 through 21.

I'll have you turn there at this time and if you're able please stand you can follow along as I read if not that's all right.

Follow along beginning in verse 19 where the Apostle Paul by the

Holy Spirit writes, though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,

and here's why, to win as many as possible to the Jews verse 20 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 to though I myself am not under the law, so as to win those under the law.

To those, verse 21, 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. And here's why, so as to win those not having the law.

Let's pray.

Lord, would you now enable us by the Holy Spirit to focus our attention on you and on your word

and that which you desire to minister to us today in and through your word.

Lord, I pray that you would speak and that when you do, we would hear and not merely hear,

but heed that as well. So, Lord, will you speak? Your servants are listening. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

You can be seated. Thank you. Today's teaching is going to be part one of a new series I've titled

Characteristics of Commitment.

I would venture to say that most, if not all of you, would agree that the Apostle Paul was

and is an outstanding example of what it is to be totally committed.

He, by any standard, is a model of unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, of commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ, as well as an unflinching commitment to winning souls

for Jesus Christ. And here's the thing. If you're anything like me and I suspect that you are, you probably want to know how it can be possible like Paul to be as committed as Paul.

I suppose you could say that the example of the Apostle Paul's commitment is a motivation.

It motivates us to seek out his secret to success, if you will.

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