RUN THE RACE FOR THE PRIZE
1 Cor 9:23-27
23 And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.
25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they (do it) to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:
27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
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RACE FOR CHRIST
This text is about the life we are to live, the way to live in it, the purpose and the end of it. The apostle Paul use the example of the Istimian game held near Corinth to give us a visual picture to understand God’s purpose
The training for the game was 10 months of self control, self denial, push toward perfection and strength building. The athletes ran to finish the race
And receive the prize; a pine wreath with a candle light. The wreath would
Dry out and light would last only a short time. It was a corruptible prize
Many athletes train for years to enter the professional ranks. Most
Don’t make it. In any game there will be only one winner. Not so for the Christian runner, all will win and receive a prize.
DO ALL FOR THE GOSPEL SAKE
1 Cor 9:23 And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
We enter the race the moment we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. The
Training for the completion of the race is ongoing. The training includes
Bible Study, the gaining of knowledge and wisdom leading to life applications.
First order is knowledge, faith and obedience to the Word of God.
Knowledge is one thing, faith is another, but obedience is an attitude of transformation.
We don’t particularly like obedience because it is doing what someone else wants. We like to do what we want. Any pursuit has rules, regulations and guidelines to enter, maintain and stay in it. All things in the Christian race
are done for the Gospel sake and not ours. All things in the Christian race are done for Jesus.
All thing are done so we become partners with Jesus. We are beneficiaries of the Gospel. The Gospel becomes our life goal. To be fully invested in the requires the believer to sacrifice himself.
Anything worthwhile is worth the sacrifice, The sacrifice is for maintenance and support of oneself. The sacrifice is for personal comfort and ease, Most important the sacrifice is for Christ sake, the sacrifice is for freedom only found in Christ.
We compete, because we benefit from the Gospel.
RUN TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.
The Boston marathon, the Chevron marathon in Houston all require
Extensive training for the 26 mile race. Many will enter but only one will have the fastest time of completion. Their day of glory is the day of the
Race, but soon forgotten. For each race there is a cost to enter
All train to win. All run to win. All sacrifice to win. But there will be only one winner.
The prize of the marathon winner is up to 150,000 dollars which is soon depleted for the next run. The odds are no matter how long you train, Or how much you sacrifice you will fail to win. You may finish the race with nothing but the short lived glory of the competition. Yet, knowing this, all
Who complete run to win.
Not so for the Christian race. All who complete and endure to the end will
Win the prize. We don’t compete against each other. We compete for Christ. As some live long, some complete long, but all win. All receive the prize, the crown of glory. The crown of glory is incorruptible and forever, it is eternal.
The believer has a cloud of witnesses who have run the race. A cloud of witnesses who by faith have completed the race. We have Jesus, Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, prophets, King David and many disciples of Jesus. You got parents, grand parents, and other witnesses you know that have gone on to be with the Lord who have completed the race. You know their struggle, you know their testimony and it was all about Jesus.
Heb 12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of (our) faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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You have to be sure you are in the right race. In any race there is a start and there is an end. In track and field, you start and finish on the ground.
Most races run around in circles, they start and end in the same place. In the long jump, athletes start on the ground, take flight and end on the ground.
Not so for the Christian race, we start on the ground, but end in heaven.
Nothing wrong with being an athlete. If you run, run for the Lord. If you jump, jump for the Lord, If you play basketball, football, soccer, play for the Lord. In the crowd are witnesses that need to hear a word from the Lord of how He brought you success. Your strength , ability, talent, long training was in the Lord.
Only 1.5 percent of athletes turn pro. The life of a professional athlete is short lived. All will end in the work force looking for another career. Start your race with the Lord, continue with the Lord and you will end with the Lord.
STRIVE FOR SELFCONTROL
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they (do it) receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
To compete in the race of man it takes self control in all things. We cannot be disciplined in one thing but wild in another. One area affects another. We should strive for a complete lifestyle transformation
Practical Application
The right race is a run for the Lord which yields victories and success unknown to us. In practical terms, storing up treasures in heaven involves a lifestyle that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. This includes the following as stated by the Bible Illustration Commentary
1. Generosity and Charity: Giving to those in need and supporting the work of the church and missions. Jesus commended the widow who gave out of her poverty, highlighting the value of sacrificial giving (Mark 12:41-44).
2. Righteous Living: Pursuing holiness and living according to God’s commandments. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
3. Faith and Trust in God: Relying on God’s provision and promises rather than material security. Jesus taught that seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness would result in all necessary things being added to us (Matthew 6:33).
4. Eternal Perspective: Maintaining a focus on eternal life and the rewards that come from faithful service to God. The Apostle Peter speaks of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for believers (1 Peter 1:4).
RUN WITH CERTAINTY
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:
We do not run as the world runs in ignorance and uncertainty. Christians run with the sure hope of completion. Every step and every strive makes gains toward the finish line. We run with the finish line in full view.
The world’s runners run with uncertainty. Not knowing that the strength of the opponent may out last or over take them. In boxing, the boxer train to
To hit the opponent in different areas at different times. Not knowing that the opponent may weave, swerve and duck in ways that he mist the mark thus boxing air and beating himself into fatigue.
The Christians moves are by divine guidance always on the mark
One of Muhammad Ali boxing quotes is this: If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.
The Christian operates with the mind of God where all things are possible
And nothing is unachievable. We box knowing that battle is already won.
Our goal is likeness to Christ. So to win Christ, to put on Christ, to be found in Christ, that we may be one with Christ.
(from The Biblical Illustrator
THE GOAL, UNDER BONDAGE TO CHRIST
1 Cor 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Christians don’t run the race to get to heaven, we run the race for others to follow us to heaven
An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. Discipline means giving up the good and the better for the best. The athlete must watch his diet as well as his hours. He must smile and say “No, thank you” when people offer him fattening desserts or invite him to late-night parties. There is nothing wrong with food or fun, but if they interfere with your highest goals, then they are hindrances and not helps.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary.
In trying to help others we must not lose sight of ourselves, paying attention to every area of weakness that need strengthen and brought inline with the
Christians don’t run the race to get to heaven, we run the race for others to follow us to heaven
An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. Discipline means giving up the good and the better for the best. The athlete must watch his diet as well as his hours. He must smile and say “No, thank you” when people offer him fattening desserts or invite him to late-night parties. There is nothing wrong with food or fun, but if they interfere with your highest goals, then they are hindrances and not helps.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary.
In trying to help others we must not lose sight of ourselves, paying attention to every area of weakness that need strengthen and brought inline with the
Will of the Father.
We wear ourselves out when we lose focus of the Lord. Everyday, we have to Make a choice to stay focus on the Lord. We make many choices. We chose to wash our face, brush our teeth. We chose what clothes to wear. We chose to leave on time or leave early. We chose the places we go and how long we stay. We chose to watch TV or read the Bible. We chose discipline or disobedience. It’s the undisciplined pebbles that wear us out
And side lines us from the race.
Matt 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
YOUR CHOICE. RUN FOR THE LORD, HEAVEN INSHIGHT
Here is the truth. Are we running for the Lord or for ourselves? If we run for the Lord we store treasures in Heaven where life circumstances can’t touch them . If we run for ourselves, what we have today can be gone tomorrow.
Strength, athletic ability based on us fades away. But strength based on the Lord is eternal. If I bet on myself, I lose. If i bet on the Lord, I get a sure win,
1 Cor 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.
In trying to help others we must not lose sight of ourselves, paying attention to every area of weakness that need strengthen and brought inline with the
Will of the Father.
THE TRANSFORMATION IN THE RACE
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the Practical Application
In practical terms, storing up treasures in heaven involves a lifestyle that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. This includes:
1. Generosity and Charity: Giving to those in need and supporting the work of the church and missions. Jesus commended the widow who gave out of her poverty, highlighting the value of sacrificial giving (Mark 12:41-44).
2. Righteous Living: Pursuing holiness and living according to God’s commandments. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
3. Faith and Trust in God: Relying on God’s provision and promises rather than material security. Jesus taught that seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness would result in all necessary things being added to us (Matthew 6:33).
4. Eternal Perspective: Maintaining a focus on eternal life and the rewards that come from faithful service to God. The Apostle Peter speaks of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for believers (1 Peter 1:4).
Col 2:6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, (so) walk in him,
7 rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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