Running The Race

Introduction: Scripture Reading- 1 Cor. 9:24-27

About the context: 1 Corinthians 9:14-23 [Read] vs. 1-13 Paul defends his apostleship towards the Gentiles and especially for those at Corinth and he is also making an argument for preachers being paid for the work they do in the Lord.

B. vs. 22-23 Commentator “He would not sin against God to save the soul of his neighbour, but he would very cheerfully and readily deny himself. The rights of God he could not give up, but he might resign his own, and he very often did so for the good of others.”

C. The Christian life is a race and Paul teaches how to run the race not just for us to win but how to help others to cross that finish line as well, because we’re not running this race alone.

Discussion:

I. Finish What You Start

A. vs. 24a “…they which run in a race run all,”

1. Isaiah 40:28-31 [Read] faint- to tire, to fly (turn and flee)

2. II Cor. 4:1 reminds us we have a service and we are not to faint or quit

3. Gal. 6:9 reminds us to continue in well doing first to the household of faith, Christians, and then to those that are without and faint not in this responsibility

4. Heb. 12:5 Exhorts us not to faint when we are chastised and rebuked by God

B. Have the mindset, beginning to end, that you are the “ONE” to win the race. Vs. 24b “…but one receieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

1. Paul is not saying that only one person is going to make it to Heaven. He is making an analogy and comparing an earthly race to our Christian service. A runner will give everything he has in him to win first place. We as Christians should give everything we have to make it to Heaven or obtain our prize.

2. A runner is not going to start a race with the mindset of “I’m not going to win this race. I don’t even have a chance.” Otherwise, why should they even show up to the race in the first place.

a. I Thess. 5:9-11 wrath-punishment, appointed-purposed

II. God Expects Us to Exercise Self-Control and Work for the Prize

vs. 25a (ASV 1901) - " And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things.” Striveth-struggle
All athletes, no matter what sport they are participating in, have to clear their mind of everything going on around them. As Christians, we to have to clear our mind of the distractions of the world around us to focus on God and his commands and desires for us. We have to keep the world out in order to keep our mind pure.
Eccl. 12:9-14 [Read] He doesn’t say to not study, he says to know when to stop.
Self-discipline in the Christian race
When we obey the gospel, we are saying we are old enough to make a decision about knowing right and wrong and accepting accountability for our sins in our life up to that point.
This means we no longer need someone to tell us when to pray, we should have the self-discipline to pray throughout the day.
This means we no longer need someone to tell us to apologize or repent of a wrong that we of committed toward another person, we just face the music and go take care of the problem.
Self-disciple as Christians running the race, trying to make it to Heaven and obtain the prize of salvation, means that we obey God without someone telling us what to do every step of the way and holding our hand.
A disciplined runner doesn’t have someone wake them up in the morning, get them breakfast, push them out the door to go run or train for that 5k or marathon, no they just get up and do the work.
God expects the same from us.

III. We Run Because We Have a Goal or Purpose

A. Vs. 25b (KJV) - " Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Corruptible- decayed, perishable; incorruptible- undecaying, immortal

1. Significance of the imperishable crown promised to believers

a. As we referred to before, if we don’t faint, then we will receive the incorruptible, immortal, imperishable crown.

b. Rev. 2:8-10 [Read]

c. II Tim. 4:5-8 [Read]

B. We need to stay focused on the goal despite earthly challenges

1. Survival strategy: set small targets or goals

a. Ultimate goal is Heaven, but small targets or goals might be:

1) Prayer goals

2) Personal Bible study goals

3) Finding someone to help or study with

4) Etc.

IV. Having the Right Mindset and Purpose Makes Us Confident

A. Vs. 26 (KJV) - "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:"

B. Emphasizing the importance of purposeful and intentional living in Christ

1. When we run with the mindset of no quit, when we run with self-control and hard work and a purpose or goal in mind, then we can be confident and sure of our salvation.

2. Heb. 5:8-9 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

3. Col. 3:1-3 The right goal; Col. 3:23-25 rewards (positive and negative)

4. 2 Pet. 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

V. Avoiding Disqualification From the Race and the Prize

A. Vs. 27 (KJV) - "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." Subjection- idea of a slave driver; castaway- reprobate, reject

B. Discussing the dangers of spiritual complacency and hypocrisy

1. If we neglect our training or we take our eye off the prize, then we can lose our salvation.

a. 2 Pet. 2:20-22 escaped the pollutions of the world, better for them to have not know, dog returning to his vomit, sow that has been washed returning to wallowing in the mire

C. How many gospel preachers have gone sour so to speak and led good Christians astray because of false doctrine or their behavior?

1. I haven’t been around long enough to know many of them.

a. Max Lucado- preaching false doctrine

b. I’ve heard of gospel preachers cheating on their wives.

c. I’ve heard of congregations splitting because of wanting to follow a preacher.

2. Paul said he wanted to be pure so that he didn’t lead anyone astray and he didn’t want himself to become a reject or reprobate because of his actions or words in his service to God. Remember he viewed is service not as a selfish act of him getting to Heaven but a selfless act of him helping others to get to Heaven with him.

3. I Cor. 11:1 “Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.”; 2 Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Conclusion:

A. 7 years ago the Brownlee brothers, Jonny and Alister, were in a race. Alister was in front of his brother and close to the front of the race. He was about to collapse as Jonny, the oldest of the two, came running up behind him. Jonny grabbed Alister’s arm and put it over his shoulder and helped Alister run towards the finish line. As they approached the finish line, Jonny stayed back and allowed Alister move forward and collapse over the finish line in front of him. To us this might sound like a bad thing, but to runners, Jonny was allowing his brother Alister to finish in 2^nd place in front of him and let him have all the glory and by helping him, Alister was able to receive medical attention sooner.

B. How does this relate to us? Paul is telling us in our text that we are running this race in life but not alone. We do need to make sure we are being obedient and focused but we also need to make sure we are not being selfish but rather helping each to the finish line. Alister had to stand on the 2^nd place podium by himself, just like we will have to stand by ourselves before the judgment seat of Christ on Judgement Day but there’s nothing wrong with helping each other get there.

C. Invitation