Paul’s commitment to ministry.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Examine the scriptures:
Commitment
Personal discipline.
Self-control.
Just plain hard work.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?
The Greeks enjoyed two great athletic events, the Olympic Games and the Isthmian games (isth mi an). The Isthmian games were held in Corinth.
The believers would be quite familiar with this analogy of running to win.
So run to win!
Winning takes:
Commitment
Personal discipline
Self-control
“Just plain hard work”.
Goals and objectives.
Know where the finish line is and know how to get there.
Know what you want to accomplish
- Run to win.
Not all analogies are perfect.
In this race, the prize is not limited to one person.
2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
James 1:12 (NLT)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 5:4 (NLT)
4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
- You are not alone in this race.
Inspired by Godly people who have run the race before us.
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training.
Training takes discipline.
Training is challenging.
Training takes commitment.
They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
- We run the race that God has set before us for an eternal prize.
26 So I run with purpose in every step.
A reason for every exercise.
Every move is calculated.
1 Corinthians 9:19 (NLT)
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
1 Corinthians 9:20-21 (NLT)
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
- Run with purpose.
Pressing on
Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Pressing toward the Goal12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
I am not just shadowboxing.
- Know your enemy.
The opponent is real
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
James 4:7 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
- Know that your strength comes from the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Psalm 121:2 (NLT)
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
- Avoid being disqualified from the race.
Galatians 5:7 (NLT)
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?
Stay in your lane. (Galatians 5 refers to false teachers.)
Disqualified because of a lack of discipline.
1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT)
2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.
Titus 1:6 (NLT)
6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.
Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
- Don’t give up. Finish the race.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
