The Overcoming Christian Is Zealous For Christ & Has A Plan

A couple of Churches were having problems with some squirrels

The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they should not interfere with God’s divine will.

At the Northern Baptist church, the deacons met and decided to put a water-slide on the baptistry and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and, unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week, and soon ended up destroying the church.

However, the Southern Baptist Church came up with a more creative strategy! They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now the squirrels are only seen at Christmas and Easter.

Historical/Cultural Context -

Paul preached the gospel in Corinth in the early 50s AD during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18). When opposition grew fierce there, the Lord Jesus spoke to him in a vision assuring him that he had ‘many people’ in the city (Acts 18:10). With this encouragement, Paul stayed on for eighteen months, ‘teaching them the word of God’ (Acts 18:11). God used Paul’s ministry to bring about the birth and establishment of the church in Corinth.

Biblical Text -

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV

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. 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. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Be Zealous With Your Witness & Have A Goal In Mind

Life Point- The True Christian Is Zealous In Their Witness

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NLT

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 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.

Homiletical -

As we discussed last week Paul was talking about what it costs to see people saved and in the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 NLT

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 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. 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. 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. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

This section of scripture is not separate from its context. Too many people see this as a loss of salvation, when salvation is not what is in view here.

What is in view is the loss of people’s eternal souls.

He likens the Christian walk as one that is a race it is about giving up the things that we know we can have, such as meat sacrificed to idols, if by giving that thing up will not cause my sister or brother to not sin or it will cause someone to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Here he shows that athletes are disciplined, make sacrifices and make their bodies do their will. All for a crown that is made of some leaves, but we give up things and are disciplined in our lives against sin because we seek to see the Lost saved.

Also what is in view here is loss of rewards. You see will be given reward in heaven for how we treat the Gospel, crowns and one day we will throw them at the feat of Jesus for He alone is worthy of all worship and reward.

Do life as one who their main focus is nothing but seeing people saved, to come to know Him.

First we know that not everyone who runs a race can win. We are told to run as one who can win. We know that there will be those who say they are Christians, but really aren’t. Because if they had been they would never have left the faith.

1 John 2:19 NLT

These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

If you are born-again of the spirit of God then you know that you do good works not to earn a place in heaven but of a heart that has been changed.

Jeremiah 31:33–34 NLT

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

We as Christians, when we are saved, become zealous for things of God and for the salvation of souls.

Titus 2:14 NKJV

who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

James 2:17 NLT

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

If you say you have faith, but nothing is shown in your life. No good works, no fruit is shown. Then your so-called faith is useless. It is not real, you are not really saved.

There are churches all across this world, this nation, this state, in lake county that are filled with people sitting in a pew who show up for services but do nothing for the kingdom. They don’t witness, they don’t volunteer and they do nothing but take up space on a pew.

They have no desire to do anything else either. They showed up, paid their weekly dues and went home. They think they have faith, but really they are dead and dyeing in their sins. They will close their eyes and wake up in hell because they are self-deceived. They think they know, but they do not know.

Matthew 7:21–23 NLT

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

I beg of you to look inside and make sure you have the insides of a believer. That your heart has been changed, that you have been born-again before it is too late.

Second, we know that unlike the athletes of this world in the Olympic games and other endeavours who work hard and deny themselves things to win something that is perishable, that we should be all the more zealous toward spreading the good news and denying what we want for what God wants, we do it for an eternal purpose and prize. What that will not perish but will last for all of eternity. The crown He gives is forever.

2 Timothy 4:8 NLT

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.

1 Peter 5:4 NLT

And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Christians endure because we have been saved, we had that born-again experience. We are being saved, God is cleansing us day-by-day to help put sin away from us and live for Him here. We will be saved, that when we get that resurrected body on His return we will receive the eternal Glory of Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:7 NLT

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.

2 Timothy 2:10 NLT

So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

Are you willing to endure all hardships to bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen?

Matthew 25:23 NLT

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

This is what we want. To please our Master, our Lord on the day of His coming or on the day we enter eternity.

It’s up to you who are born-again. “Will you hear well done my good and faithful servant?” or “Well, your done.”

Life Point - Have A Goal In Mind & Work Toward It

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 NLT

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 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.

Homiletical -

When Paul went and preached the Good News about Jesus Christ. He didn’t just go to one city and then back track. No he had a plan in mind. He knew what his goal was and he always stuck to it.

He didn’t just say “Hey Ephesus looks good today” and then go. He thought it out. What is between where I am and where I want to be? What is every step in-between where I can spread the Gospel. Plan it out. Now will your plan always work out? No. But will God use you where your at? Yes.

When Paul was shipwrecked, he wasn’t afraid because he had His trust in God.

Paul had been falsely accused before Rome and as a Roman citizen he appealed to caesar. So as a prisoner he is being sent to Rome under guard.

He tells them not to go on because they are entering winter. They go ahead anyway and they encounter an awful set of circumstances and a storm that batters the ship for 14 days.

Acts 27:21–26 NLT

No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Acts 27:33–37 NLT

Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat— all 276 of us who were on board.

Acts 27:42–44 NLT

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

Trust me shipwreck was not Paul’s original plan. But it was God’s plan. All 276 people were saved. Now that is a fantastic witness. What’s more?

Through Paul’s witness to the people on the island God worked a massive miracle.

Acts 28:1–10 NLT

Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

How many do you think came to Christ because Paul was Shipwrecked? You see, he had a goal. God told Him he would be arrested and that he would go to Rome. That was Paul’s goal in his mind, but on the way he was shipwrecked. Did he stop working? No, he was gathering fire wood for the fire and he was bit by a poisonous snake. Did he freak out?

No, he shook it off and went back to work. Then he starts laying hands on people who are sick and everyone on that island got healed.

Let me tell you something oh Christian who is running the race. Not everyone is going to be happy with you. Not every idea you have is going to be the right one either. Do you know what happens when you put 5 Christian Southern Baptists in a room and give them a goal? You are going to get 500 ways to reach that goal. Don’t get mad when your plan doesn’t work out. Don’t pickup your marbles and go home.

Maybe listen to someone else’s plan. Maybe theirs will work, maybe it won’t. But in all things you better be seeking God for His wisdom as you make plans, enact plans, and change plans when they don’t work.

Sometimes between reaching your lost neighbor down the street and you, your car may break down. Don’t get all upset, don’t fuss and scream. Call Triple “A” and while you wait talk to the neighbors who are right next to you about Jesus.

Romans 8:28–30 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Oh we love this passage. All things work together for the good. That isn’t what it says.

It says to those who #1 Love God #2 are called according to his purpose for them.

i.e. all undue punishment, all problems that you didn’t cause in your sinfulness. All those who are called and working for God’s good, not their own.

I can promise that if you are saved and are following God, it will work out for your good. Just remember that the good for most of the Apostles was that they should be martyred and go home to be with Jesus.

Remember Jesus said:

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Life Principle– Be Zealous With Your Witness & Have A Goal In Mind

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