Sermon 11/13/22 Giddings
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RUN 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
RUN 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
ALL RUN (24)
all run toward something…either you are running towards Jesus and Heaven or you are running toward the world, satan, & hell. THERE IS A REASON THE HEBREW WRITER SAYS...
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Where are you running this morning? Who’s team are you one?
RUN TO WIN (24)
You ever feel your in a rat race? = where your running in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“So then, you will know them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
THIS RACE IS NOT A HOBBY!!!
this is the struggle of our lifetime. The race to end all races. the most important race of all time. THIS IS NOT A CASUAL PURSUIT. Eternity is at stake. We live as if there are other things more important. God Jesus the church and heaven are a distant 3rd at best in our lives
we kind of just meander out on the track and say to ourselves I’m going to take a jog today but I have other things to do today so not too long and I don’t want to wear myself out so I’m going to take it easy.
this is a gladiatorial race and it is life and death.
EXERCISE
self control - just like an athlete I may have to give up somethings. Sprinter is not going to go buy 3 boxes of Little Debbie Christmas Trees. They can’t they have to practice self control. the christian just can’t participate in everything, A christian just can’t go and do what he wants all the time. He has to practice self control.
maybe we need to turn off the TV. Maybe we need to put sports aside. stop hanging out with certain people maybe there are events we should not go to. music we should not listen to etc.
TRAIN
discipline my body - the athlete trains is mind and body the christian trains his heart and mind. the christian is being transformed by the renewing of their mind. They are spending copious amounts of time in God’s word 2 Tim. 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
He knows the rule book so he doesn’t get disqualified.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
He puts into practice what he learns and knows.
THE PRIZE
We runt to win the prize - the imperishable wreath! will not perish or fade away, eternal. It is a long grueling race and if we loose sight of the prize we will stop running. Paul describes the race and his reward
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Your reward is waiting for you and it will be awarded to you by your Lord and Savior! It’s worth fighting for. It’s worth the pain and the struggle. It’s worth training. giving up some stuff is worth it. The juice is worth the squeeze.
Brothers and Sisters Get in the race and really get after it, quit casually strolling and fight the good fight. Exercise self control and allow the word of God to train your senses and run to win the prize.