Running To Win

SERMON TEXT: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

SERMON THESIS: The Christians goal in the race of life is the eternal reward.

INTRODUCTION: The athlete who runs has one objective in mind.  He is not running for the fun of it.  He is running to win.  Needless to say, for the runner in a race, winning is everything. 

The Christian life has often been compared to a race.  It has been compared to a race for the following reasons:

Like the runner in a race . . .

I.  THE CHRISTIAN ENTERS THE RACE OF LIFE TO WIN

The Apostle Paul explained it in these terms . . .

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.”    (I Cor. 9:24)

Note the phrase, “in such a way.”  In “such a way” indicates one thing - winning.  The complete sentence in which Paul asks a question in (v.24), is followed by the complete sentence that includes the phrase above.  It reads like this, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 

What was Paul’s point?  The point is this, “The Christian must give their best effort in the race of life.”  Anything short of their best effort can forfeit the prize.

Like the runner in a race . . .

II.  A CHRISTIAN MUST EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL  IN ALL THINGS

Hear these words of the Apostle Paul . . .

“And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (I Cor. 9:25)

“Strict training”(v. 25), is a must for the runner who expects to win the prize.  Without strict training and good self-control, the runner is likely to be distracted and ultimately lose the race.

For Paul, in his race of life for the imperishable crown, he would deny himself any distractions that would cause him to be sidetracked and forfeit the prize.

“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet but; one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12-14)

The matter of self control is the whole issue here.  The lack of it, thereof, will cause the runner to be distracted and forfeit the prize.

Self-control and self-discipline for the Christian in the race of life is a must.  Without it, one will not lose their salvation, but in the words of one writer, one “ . . . can lose the honor that comes from pleasing God with our lives.”

In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul uses an agricultural metaphor to describe the sanctifying work of the Spirit . . .

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

(Galatians 5:22-26)

Note the phrase, “and self-control.”  About this whole matter of self-control in the Christians life, the writer of Proverbs pinned these important and instructive words. . .

“For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths.  His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.  He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.”

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

(Proverbs 5:21-23; 25:28)

One of the greatest distractions in our society for the Christian in the race of life are sexual temptations.

One writer stated it like this, “Satan tempts people to sexual sin by using the lack of self-control to lead them to immorality.”  This writer goes on to say, “Satan can take the good gift of God and lead people to use it in sinful ways.”

Someone has defined “lust” as desire out of control.  Without the exercising of self-control for the Christian in the race of life this is what is likely to happen.  As we will see in this message, Paul refused to allow this to happen to him, and so must we.

So you see, my fellow sprinters, we must exercise self-control not only in the area of sexual temptations, but in all things if we are to win the prize.

Like the runner in a race . . .

III.  THE CHRISTIAN RUNNER IN THE RACE OF LIFE MUST NOT WASTE TIME ON TRIVIAL MATTERS

“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.”

(I Cor. 9:26)

Paul was determined that he would not waste his time on unimportant issues.  Too often in our personal lives, and in the church, we allow unimportant issues to dominate our valuable time.  We do too much shadow boxing as it were.

How can trivial and unimportant matters be eliminated from our busy lifestyles?  I like the way in which this writer put it, “Christians must keep the Lord’s work in mind at all times.”

For the runner in a race, one side glance to the right or to the left, can cost them the race.

Finally, like a runner in a race . . .

IV.  THE CHRISTIAN IN THE RACE OF LIFE MUST REFUSE TO LIVE IN ANY WAY THAT MIGHT RESULT IN THEM BEING DISQUALIFIED

“But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”

(I Cor. 9:27)

Note the phrase, “I discipline my body and make it my slave.”  What did Paul mean by this?  As I interpret this phrase, Paul had two goals to accomplish.  One in this life, and the second one in eternity.  His first goal was to win lost souls to Christ.

“To the weak I become weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.  And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”

(I Cor. 9:22-23)

His second goal was to win the eternal reward laid up for him in heaven as seen in Philippians . . .

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:14)

How did Paul keep from being disqualified?  By disciplining his body and making it his slave.  Concerning “last things” I like the way in which this writer summed up this whole idea of rewards.  He writes, “The awarding of a prize for successful running following strict training indicates the judgment in view has to do with service and rewards, rather than salvation and lostness.  This writer goes on to say, “Salvation is a gift of grace, but rewards are earned.  It is possible to be disqualified from receiving rewards (I Cor. 3).  Failure to remain disciplined and faithful courts disqualification.

“Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.” (2 John 8)

CONCLUSION: Are you running to win?  If you haven’t entered the race there are still some openings.  There is room at the cross for you!