1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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Sport
Sport
Story:
Story:
IN THE Olympics, competitors work hard to win medals. They go all out. At the end of each competition, there is a gold, silver, and bronze winner. When they are presented with their medals, they take their places on the platform and music begins to play. What’s the music? The national anthem of the gold medal winner.
The gold medal winner doesn’t get to pick any old song they like and request that to be played at the Olympics. Even though they may have competed individually, their victory is not all about them. Their victory was part of a bigger picture and was under a bigger banner. If athletes from America win the gold in an event, our national anthem is played for everyone else to hear because in the Olympics, the athletes represent their nations.
God wants us to run for His kingdom so that when the song is played it represents His song and His glory. The lyrics will reflect the idea of “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done. Thine is the kingdom. Thine is the power. Thine is the glory. Forever and ever, amen.”
I’ve yet to see a gold medal winner frowning because the United States is getting all the credit. Why? Because when they come home, the United States is so proud of them that they give the athletes recognition. God will not forget those who run hard for His kingdom and let His flag wave high. He will not forget what we’ve done for His glory.
:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
:24 Run in such a way
:24 Run in such a way
Paul is going to compare the ministry to something like the Olympics. In Corinth, they had the “Isthmian Games”, which were very similar to the Olympics.
Paul is going to compare the ministry to something like the Olympics. In Corinth, they had the “Isthmian Games”, which were very similar to the Olympics.
Among the contests of the games were the foot races.
Among the contests of the games were the foot races.
The point in a foot race is that only one person is the winner.
The point in a foot race is that only one person is the winner.
Lesson
Lesson
Ministry excellence
Ministry excellence
You need to be careful about the pictures that Paul paints here.
You need to be careful about the pictures that Paul paints here.
This is not about “winning” in the Christian life and beating others.
This is not about “winning” in the Christian life and beating others.
This is about how you are serving the Lord in your ministry.
It’s not about doing “better” than others, it’s about “how you run”.
It’s not about doing “better” than others, it’s about “how you run”.
(1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV) … Run in such a way as to get the prize.
You can get all carnal with this picture, thinking that the idea is about beating other people. It’s about excellence in your own life.
You can get all carnal with this picture, thinking that the idea is about beating other people. It’s about excellence in your own life.
Q:If your ministry were to be compared to an Olympic style foot race, what would best describe you?
Q: Are you the person who has trained hard and prepared well, one who will run with the goal of being the first to hit the tape?
As far as how we do church – this is not about spending more money on glitzy programs than the church down the street.
As far as how we do church – this is not about spending more money on glitzy programs than the church down the street.
It’s about doing what you do with excellence.
:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
:25 competes – agonizomai – to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games; to contend with adversaries, struggle
:25 competes – agonizomai – to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games; to contend with adversaries, struggle
We get our word “agony” or “agonize” from this word.
We get our word “agony” or “agonize” from this word.
Paul used this word when he wrote Timothy,
Paul used this word when he wrote Timothy,
(2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
(2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Paul also used this word to describe the prayer life of one of his friends,
Paul also used this word to describe the prayer life of one of his friends,
(Colossians 4:12 NKJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
(Colossians 4:12 NKJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Application: When we compete there is always pain, but because of the pain we are able to endure we grow stronger!
Just look at how much pain we go through here at Fit 2 Serve, and how much growth we have seen.
:25 temperate – egkrateuomai – to be self-controlled; athletes who prepare themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence
:25 temperate – egkrateuomai – to be self-controlled; athletes who prepare themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence
Most athletes are very careful about how they eat, sleep, and train.
Most athletes are very careful about how they eat, sleep, and train.
They exercise “self-control” in order to “win”.
They exercise “self-control” in order to “win”.
Example: The 6 wk Challenge
:25 perishable – phthartos – corruptible, perishing
:25 perishable – phthartos – corruptible, perishing
In Paul’s day, the winners of the games received a wreath of fir branches to wear around their head. The fir trees surrounded the Isthmian race course.
In Paul’s day, the winners of the games received a wreath of fir branches to wear around their head. The fir trees surrounded the Isthmian race course.
In earlier days, the wreath was made of parsley.
In earlier days, the wreath was made of parsley.
In the Olympics, it was of a wild olive branch.
In the Olympics, it was of a wild olive branch.
Ancient athletes ran just for the glory of the race, for a crown that would dry up and rot.
Ancient athletes ran just for the glory of the race, for a crown that would dry up and rot.
:25 imperishable – aphthartos – uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable
:25 imperishable – aphthartos – uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable
The crown we’re “running” for is an imperishable one, something we will receive in heaven.
The crown we’re “running” for is an imperishable one, something we will receive in heaven.
We will receive rewards for what we do on earth when we get to heaven.
We will receive rewards for what we do on earth when we get to heaven.
:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
Paul doesn’t run wildly in all directions, he runs with a purpose.
Paul doesn’t run wildly in all directions, he runs with a purpose.
When he “fights”, he isn’t just shadow boxing and swinging at nothing.
When he “fights”, he isn’t just shadow boxing and swinging at nothing.
He’s swinging to knock out a real opponent.
He’s swinging to knock out a real opponent.
Example: When we get stronger spiritually its not just doing religious things and swinging at nothing.
The same as getting in physical shape, we want to train with a purpose.
Look at what we can do in 1 wk of a challenge more than a person can do all month and maybe all year!
:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
:27 I discipline – hupopiazo (“under” + “to look at”) – to beat black and blue, to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots; like a boxer one buffets his body, handle it roughly, discipline by hardships
:27 I discipline – hupopiazo (“under” + “to look at”) – to beat black and blue, to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots; like a boxer one buffets his body, handle it roughly, discipline by hardships
I think the word speaks of getting a “black eye”, getting punched in the face.
I think the word speaks of getting a “black eye”, getting punched in the face.
:27 bring it into subjection – doulagogeo (“enslave” + “to lead”) – to lead away into slavery; to make a slave and to treat as a slave, subject to stern and rigid discipline
:27 bring it into subjection – doulagogeo (“enslave” + “to lead”) – to lead away into slavery; to make a slave and to treat as a slave, subject to stern and rigid discipline
:27 disqualified – adokimos – not standing the test, not approved
:27 disqualified – adokimos – not standing the test, not approved
:27 discipline … lest … disqualified
:27 discipline … lest … disqualified
I don’t think Paul is afraid of losing his salvation.
I don’t think Paul is afraid of losing his salvation.
I think he’s afraid of losing his credibility.
I think he’s afraid of losing his credibility.
Lesson
Lesson
The value of self-discipline
The value of self-discipline
Paul had a goal in mind, to be excellent in ministry. For that reason, he was willing to pay the kinds of prices that an Olympic athlete will pay, doing the kinds of things that are necessary to win.
Paul had a goal in mind, to be excellent in ministry. For that reason, he was willing to pay the kinds of prices that an Olympic athlete will pay, doing the kinds of things that are necessary to win.
Illustration
In February, 2000, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held in Cleveland. One of the competitors was a young gal, Sasha Cohen, 15, who trained at the Ice Chalet in Costa Mesa.
According to the O.C. Register, she was a big hit with the crowds, but she had some problems in her performance and couldn’t pull off the win.
Video: Sasha Cohen 2000
Here’s from the Register (2-13-2000, Sports, pg.11):
…For Cohen, this competition was all fun and games. She possesses a sweet, childlike innocence. When asked if she still liked to paint, Cohen said with a straight face that unfortunately she didn’t have as much time as she did when she was younger. She talked about going skiing just a few weeks ago, much to the dismay of Nicks (her coach). Never mind that the biggest competition of her life was looming and she was risking serious injury by taking to the slopes. From now on, it won’t be so easy for Cohen, and Nicks claims she’s not the easiest skater to coach. “A lot of people always knew she had talent, but she always lacked discipline,” Nicks said. “She’s learning discipline now. But Sasha dances to her own drummer. She probably won’t learn from anyone else because she likes to do things her own way.”
I’d guess that Sasha did learn somewhere along the way because by 2006, she won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Turin. I’d imagine she figured out the discipline part.
The point of us learning how to be disciplined in our personal lives has to do with our witness in the world.
The point of us learning how to be disciplined in our personal lives has to do with our witness in the world.
There are people all around us that need to see that God’s love is real, and they need to see it in our lives.Video:
Prove it to me When our lives aren’t disciplined to “win” and to do what God wants us to do (like love each other), people around us have a hard time hearing the gospel.
Over the years we’ve all seen pastors fall into sin.
Over the years we’ve all seen pastors fall into sin.
A long time ago it was guys like Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker. Then David Hocking fell – a little closer to home since his church is just in Santa Ana.
I know folks who had been in David’s church and who were devastated.
In our Calvary Family, the pastor of the largest Calvary, Bob Coy, fell.It can happen. We all can fall.
You might be tempted to think, “but if I fall, I won’t affect anybody”, or at least not as many as Bob Coy has.
You are so wrong. Your family is watching. Your kids are watching you. your co-workers are watching you.
Temptation isn’t whats wrong....it’s when temptation and Opportunity Intersect.
I think a good exercise to go through from time to time is to make a list of the consequences of you falling into that particular sin that keeps calling out to you.
Think of the people you will hurt. Think of the damage to the gospel.
Self-discipline is important. It is worth it.