If you want to deconstruct the church, then do not deny yourself.

i will start with a story today.

Lord Joseph Duveen, American head of he art firm planned in 1915 to send one of his experts to England to examine some ancient pottery. He booked the passage on a large boat.

then the German Embassy issued a warning that the liner might be torpedoed. Remember this was during WWI. Duveen wanted to call off the trip. “i can’t take the risk of you being killed”, he said to the employee.

“Don’t worry”, said the man, “I am a strong swimmer, and when i read what was happening in the Atlantic, i began hardening myself by spending time every day in a tub of ice water.

At first i could sit only a few minutes, but this morning, i stayed in that tub nearly tow hours”. Duveen laughed, it sounded preposterous. But his expert sailed and his boat was torpedoed.

the young man was rescued after nearly 5 hours in the chilly ocean, still in excellent condition.

Transition

this is a story of a young man who made it a point to discipline his own body to be able to survive in certain harsh conditions. The daily grind of putting his body through pain was actually what kept this man alive and what made his trip a success.

this is what we will be looking at today. If you remember from last week, we talked about the importance of Denying ourselves for the well being of others. Paul would give us insight into his life and how he made it a point to work hard with his tent making skill in order to support himself , so that he would not hinder the gospel message.

he proved to the church in Corinth that he was an apostle and had the authority of an apostle and proved he had rights as an apostle. He had every right to be taken care of financially because of his hard work of both teaching and preaching the gospel.

but he told us that though he had this right , he did not act on this right, he didn’t ask for money from the church in Corinth and the reason why was because he cared more about the people than himself. He didn’t want people to have an excuse for not accepting the gospel message.

so we saw Paul deny his rights for the well being of others . We looked at the humility that this would take and how this was an example of Christ like character, the sacrificing of self for others.

now Paul puts this back on the reader and the need for us to deny ourselves for our benefit. He started with talking about the importance of denying ourselves for others, so that they can start this Christian life of faith.... now he tells the us to deny ourselves in order for us to finish well. The need for discipline in our lives.

I. The Christian life is a Race (v. 24)

A. In order to run well you must have expectations and a goal in mind (v.24)

- Paul here is using an illustration of a competition, a race, to illustrate biblical truths. He is referencing the Christian life as a long distance race. This would be something that the people in Corinth would have an understanding of since they had the Isthmian Games held ever other year in Corinth. These games were a great national and religious festival in the City and the games consisted of every sporting event including running. So it is no surprise to see Paul use this as an illustration to show the Christian life.

and it is with this illustration of a race, that Paul gives us these insights into the Christian life and the necessary requirements needed in our lives to finish well.

so we are going to follow Paul here tell us what is necessary for us to finish this Christian life well.

so the first thing we want to look at is....

In order to run well you must have expectations and a goal in mind(v.24)

Transition

Expectations

see he tells us that those who run or those who sign up for a run .....”ALL RUN”.

- when a person signs up for a race, there is an expectation of that person . He is expected to run the race. He is expected to compete in the race. He is expected to be trained and ready for the race.

- Paul is making the statement that everyone who signs up for the race understands the expectation- (those who run in a race all run). There is an expectation of the runner from the runner. He knows that he is entering this and is expected to be ready to run in the race.

- There is an expectation from the judges that this runner will actually run the race the way it was intended. There is even an expectation from the crowd who will be watching, they want to see those athletes run in such a way that shows their skill and training.

those of you who ran the half marathon with us understand this. The moment you signed up for the race you knew that you have committed to something, there is now an expectation for you to show up on race day. There is an expectation for you to train to be ready for that day.

Prize

There is also a fact that in a race there can only be one winner. The athlete would therefore run and train with such expectations of winning. Winning is the expectation, the prize, the reward of the hard work.

- Paul is using this understanding to relate to the Christian walk. There should be the same expectations within our lives. The Christian life is like a race that we have all signed up for the moment we gave our lives to Jesus.

- Therefore, there is an expectation from God who is the judge, who has established the parameters our lives through His word, for us to run according to those parameters.

- We should have certain expectations in our lives. We should have goals we strive for. Goals of running in such a way that we may receive the prize. To run in such a way that pleases God, to live our lives in a way that is in line with His parameters or His word, to run in a way that can guaranetee a strong finish .

B. In order to run well you must be well trained – temperate (v.25)

the first thing we see is that in order to run well we must be well trained.

- Paul gives us a contrast in people here. Paul continues by saying there is a difference in the person who runs to win and the person who just runs with no expectations. The person who runs to win is “temperate” in all things.

- That word speaks exercising self control. Speaks of Discipline In all things. Discipline in ever aspect of their lives.

The NLT says it this way…

- 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. 1 Cor.9:25 NLT

one commentator put it this way speaking about- Is temperate in all things.

One good moral result which sprang from the ancient system of athleticism was the self denial and self mastery which it required. The candidate for a prize had to be pure, sober, and enduring (Horace, 'Ars Poet.,' 412), to obey orders, to eat sparely and simply and to bear effort and fatigue (Epict., 'Enchir.,' 35) for ten months before the contest. - The Pulpit commentary

see the athletes who signed up for the Isthmian games had to train for 10 months and be approved by the officials put in place, then they would have to go to the gymasism to train 30 days prior to the contest. Only when the athlete had met all the requirements , would he be allowed to compete in the games.

the athlete would have to be disciplined during this training period if he wanted to compete. He would have to workout hard, he would have to go to sleep at a certain time, he would have to be disciplined about what he ate or didn’t eat. All of this was necessary.

this would not be easy. Matter of fact, the phrase used in “everyone who competes” in the original language is -

competes in the games ἀγωνιζόμενος (agōni-zomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 75: From agon; to struggle, literally, figuratively, or genitive case.

The word is to struggle, this is where we get the word agonize. The thought is there is a struggle or hard work in the Christian life, it is not a cake walk. Work is required.

Transition

- There is a disciple needed in their lives of a runner , in how he trains, in what he eating, in sleeping. What they bring into their lives that is helpful and will be useful in the race and there is also a discipline of removing things from their lives that will not be useful.

- The contrast can be inferred here as the person who just runs to run with no expectations or goal, this is the person who is not disciplined. This is the person who just allows whatever they want in their lives. They may finish the race barley, but they will never come close to winning the race or the prize.

- This is the same in our Christian lives. The person who is disciplined in their lives, who examines their lives and is willing to make clear decisions to bring people into their lives to speak into them, who will be involved in youth, who will be disciplined about reading God’s word and prayer , this is the person who is establishing a life that will lead to a victory, to pleasing God.

- But the Christian who doesn’t care about these things, who allows anything in his/her life, who does set boundaries in his life, who doesn’t make God or his word a priority, who doesn’t let people speak into his life, will be the person who is establishing a life that is leaning towards barely finishing the race or not finishing at all.

Transition

- There is another contrast here, it is the reward. The race here on earth is temporal, while the reward in heaven is eternal. Paul is telling us, that we can train hard here on earth for things that are not lasting, they will perish.

- We can train to look good pyhiscally, workout , get our beauty on etc. We can make it our aim to study to get into a good college or good school to get a good job.

- We can train in a sport to be good, to win etc. or spend hours on video games to get a higher rating etc…..

- The point Paul is making is, If we can be that disciplined for things that won’t last, why can we be this disciplined to pursue the things of God. The value of the prize should be what motivates us to hard work to obtain it. Something that is eternal and from heaven is of more weight , of more value than anything on this earth. And that should be what motivates us.

1 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

C. In order to run well you must have self disciple (v. 26-27)

- Paul now turns this illustration towards himself. He says “I” 5 times in these verses. Each time he uses the “I” he tells us what he himself does.

“I” run not with uncertainty- Paul tells us that he knows what he is running for and how he will do in the race , because of the training he has implemented in his life. Paul has a purpose that has lead to this training.

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

“I” fight not as one who beats the air”- Paul changes the illustration from running to boxing. Paul is telling us that he is not doing things that do not matter, he is fighting a fight that is real.

Paul is not a shadow boxer here but he is doing things that will matter in the spiritual fight.

“I” discipline my body and bring it into subjection-

But I keep under my body.--Better, but I bruise my body. The word is very strong, and implies to beat the flesh until it becomes black and blue. The body is spoken of as his adversary, or the seat of those lusts and appetites which "war against the mind" (Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17).

- this is important. He is telling us that he has to discipline or beat his body into subjection. The picture we are getting is that the body, or our flesh wants to do something that we do not want it to. The flesh is at war with our spirit . Gal. 5:17

Galatians 5:17 NKJV

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

- there is a battle with the flesh daily in our lives. While we have been saved and have been made alive to the things of God, the reality is that we still live in a sinful body. And that old nature, the flesh, is daily trying to come up in our lives and wants to act out, it wants to rule our lives. This is the battle we face daily. Rom. 7:14-20

Romans 7:14–20 NKJV

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Paul is telling us here that even he struggles to do things that he doesn’t want to do. The flesh in him wants to do what is wrong. So Paul has to be disciplined to bring this body of sin into subjection.

Bring it into subjection.--Better, and make it a slave. The idea is that the body is not only conquered, but led captive.

- The true position of our flesh or our natural appetites is that they should be entirely our servants, and not our masters; that we "should not follow or be led by them," but that they should follow and be led by us.

- interesting that Paul is making reference to making or leading the flesh into captivity. The picture is that the desires and passion are under our control. Yet so often the opposite it true. We often becomes slaves of our appetites or slaves of sins. We do what our bodies want us to do rather than us having control over those things.

What is the battle i deal with?

Acts of the Flesh – Gal. 5:19-21

Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

those are some of the things we struggle with, the flesh. My flesh wants me to do these things, to react to life in this way. These are ways that do not please God and are not Christ like.

Acts of the Spirit- Gal. 5:22-23

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

_ this is how we should act and respond to life.

How do we push the flesh down ?

Galatians 5:24–25 NKJV

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

- there is a need to die to self, crucify the flesh, deny the flesh and the passions and desires we may have.

-This is what Paul was saying that he did. He beat his body, he brought it into subjection . The only way we can bring the flesh into subjection is to deny the flesh and at the same time to feed the spirit.

- there is a need to daily feed the spirit in order to push down the flesh that wants to come up in our lives.

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

this means to pour into my life the things of God. to Listen to worship music, to read God’s word, to spend time praying. To go to bible studies, to be discipled by Godly people, read godly books, etc.... I am not saying you cannot do other things, but you have to constantly fill your life with things of God if you want to keep the flesh in check.

- Because if you cannot deny the flesh and feed it instead, it will grow. Gal. 6:7-8. We should not be deceived in thinking just because no one sees us, or because it is not harmful in the moment , that it will not affect me. The flesh will grow in our lives.

Galatians 6:7–8 NKJV

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

story of my foot

D. In order to run well you must run according to the rules (v.27)

Paul tells us that he disciplines his body so that....

When “I” Preach to others , I should not be disqualified. – For the Isthmian games there would be a herald who would proclaim the games and the rules of the games. The rules that an athlete was required compete within.

Paul is making himself not only the runner but also the Harold.

Paul is telling us that there is a need to run in accordance with what parameters have been placed. At the same time, Paul understood that he had a greater responsibility and greater expectations were on him as a leader. As a leader, there is more that is expected of us. We need to live above reproach. This is only able to happen if we learn to be disciplined as leaders.

Conclusion

- there is an importance of finishing the race well. Being faithful to complete what God has placed in our lives to the very end. Paul would say this about himself

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:8 From now on 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 to all who crave His appearing.

We are in a long distance race. it is not just a sprint. You can ‘t just take off hard to follow after God and get burned out . Discipline is needed if you and i want to follow God, if we want to please God with our lives.. Faithfulness is required to the end.

A lack of self discipline is one of the things that has deviated many Christians . Many who started off faithful, who did many great things for God, but they stopped being disciplined in their lives and they allowed the flesh to slowly take over. This will always lead to a derailed life. a life that did not finish well or did not finish at all.

We saw Jay and Lisa be faithful to the end in their work in youth ministry.