1st Corinthians 9:24-27 How to get out of being STUCK

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.

This lesson is to help you with the FASTING & PRAYING but also this lesson will help you with other areas of your life

This lesson will help you get past some areas that you feel STUCK

QUESTION: Where do you feel STUCK

You might feel stuck with an addiction

You might feel stuck with a bad habit

You might feel stuck financially

You might feel stuck in unforgiveness

You might feel stuck in your marriage

It’s easy for us to get DISCOURAGED in our stuckness ……

This lesson will help you get the outcome the breakthrough that you’ve been praying for.

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.

Principle # 1 DETERMINATION

WHY do I want to experience this change in my life?

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)

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

There’s a lot of people that’s running, a lot of people that’s in the race, there’s a lot of Christians that’s go to church, there’s a lot of Christians that’s reading the Bible. If you wanna get results, you need to make sure that you are running the race as if there is only one prize that’s being handed out. You need to make sure that you are running with determination. [ The Fast / Weight Loss ]

At the end of this verse, Paul gives us a command, and not a suggestion.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)

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

So now, how do you get this determination? So he tells us this in the next verse, and he tells us what is a runner motivation of why they want to win the race

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

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.

Example: I want to FAST because I want to be better for the Lord

I want to lose weight so I can last long in my Christian walk/race

What is the motivation in your life through this fasting and praying that you want to get?

Example: Let’s look at the Fast

I don't feel as close to God as I once was, everything that pertains to Him is a strain to do, struggling to pray, struggling to read my word, tired of being sick and sick of being tired and sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Example: Let’s look at MY WEIGHT

I’m tired looking at my stomach – I’m tired being sluggish – I’m tired of being out of shape – I’m not being my best self – and not having the energy that I wanted to have, I'm tired looking at the high numbers on the scale, I'm discouraged that my get up and go has gone . [ Have A Motivation ]

And so now I want some RESULTS …… In my FASTING & WEIGHT lose.

Note: In this FASTING & PRAYING you and I should want some RESULTS .

Why do you want to go on this fasting & praying?

Why do you want to lose this weight?

Why do you want to kick that addiction?

Why do you want to stop that habit?

Why do you wanna be a better spouse?

Ask Yourself : What is it going to cost you right NOW if you don’t change ? Principle # 1 Determination ask the question, Why do I want to experience this change in my life?

Note: Another word we can use is INTENTIONAL !!!! LEARN HOW TO BE INTENTIONAL WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE THINGS OF THE LORD..

Principle # 2 is going to answer the question HOW do I experience this change in my life?

Note: And this is when many people fall off the boat, they determine but they don’t have principal number two

Principle # 2 DIRECTION

HOW do I experience this change in my life?

1 Corinthians 9:26 (NLT)

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

1 Corinthians 9:26 (ESV)

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

Paul is talking about here having a clear plan, having direction, having purpose, having strategy, having an idea of how you are going to get there.

Paul is not running here and running there and not having any direction.

Example: On this Fasting & Praying you will have to have a DIRECTION before you get up in the mornings and days ahead.

Note: one of the reasons why I so many Christians don’t have devotion is because they have no direction.

ASK YOURSELF :

How are you going to do the fast?

How are you going to lose the weight?

How are you going to change the habits?

How are you going to get unstuck?

How are you going to get out of debt?

PLAN:

Have the plan of your fasting, which we already do on the paper

Do you know what you’re going to eat days ahead?

Plan to drink 1 gallon of water a day

Have a sleep schedule

The most important thing is have a accountability partner

Principle # 3 DISCIPLINE

WHAT do I have to do to experience this change in my life

Note: the reason you might not be experiencing the breakthrough in your life, is not because of the devil more than likely because of discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)

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.

Notice, Paul here mentions the same word in verse 25

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

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.

Quote: “ Discipline is the bridge between GOALS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS. “

DISCIPLINE

QUOTE: Discipline is just choosing between what you want NOW and what you want MOST.

Note: discipline involves not doing the things you want to do BUT doing the things you don’t feel like doing.

On this fast, I already know I’m going to want to eat pizza, bluebell, ice cream, peach cobbler, Popeyes sweet and spicy wings, chick-fil-A etc……..

Note: you can be determined all day, you can have a direction all day, but if you’re not discipline to say no to the things in your life it’s not gonna work out.

Note: Paul uses a GREEK word [ hypopiazo ] for the word DISCIPLINE here – and it means here “ to give myself a BLACKEYE “

Note: Paul says I have to beat my body under submission, beat my flesh, I have to give my body a blackeye “to make your body do what it don’t feel like doing” .

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)

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.

Question: What is it COSTING you to NOT get past this FASTING & PRAYING or to get pass THIS?

QUESTION: IS YOUR STUCKNESS SACRIFICING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Reasons To Fast :

• For closeness to God/seeking God/hunger, thirst for God, humility before God

• For spiritual breakthrough ( our circumstances may not change until we change )

• For deliverance from recurring sin

• For revival — in yourself and the church

• For repentance

• For the lost

• For wisdom in decisions

• For guidance for our future

• For blessing when undertaking responsibility

• For special needs and challenges: illness, finances, etc.

• For people we love and care for: marriage, children, family, friends

For our church: leaders, events needs