The Imperishable Life (2)

Series: A Disciple-Making Mindset - Pt. 1 Being A Disciple

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Thesis: To achieve the imperishable prize that is eternity with Christ, all that is required is salvation. But to live an imperishable life is to live as a faithful disciple. It is a focus on living for the eternal kingdom of God over the temporary things of this world.

Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Introduction

What are some prizes/awards that you can win?

They will all one day be gone… (perishable)

We have already established that the prize for what is imperishable is in salvation and is not earned but given. But we are to run our race of faith with the same intensity and intention as we would if we were competing to win any other race.

(I think it’s actually taken one step farther) If we run that hard for any earthly race, we should actually run harder for our heavenly one. Our strength for our heavenly race doesn’t originate with us anyway, our source is Jesus…

Three Characteristics of how we should run… (We should run with)

Run With Determination (v. 24-25)

There was a purpose in the way they ran their race (to win the race and receive the prize) - run determined to win

We are not in competition with one another, what Paul is saying here is that there is a way we should run - “in such a way that you may win” - our race of faith is not to be run “half-way” or “just to get to the end,” it is with the determination that my best in Christ is the only acceptable way to run…

We all receive the same prize of salvation, but that does not mean that we shouldn’t run our hardest

Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

The determination in a race on earth versus our race of faith is different, opposite even. On earth we run to receive the prize, but in our race of faith we run because we already have the prize…

How can we make sure we run this way?

“Self-control in all things”

We practice self-control in the things we care about…

Wrestling and weightlifting (?)

Spiritual things - quiet time, prayer, active Gospel-sharing, serving

If we are willing to run for a wreath that is perishable, how much more should we be willing to run for one that is imperishable

Application:

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to run their race of faith with the same determination and intensity they would as a Greek olympian. We already have the prize of eternity with Christ, now we run towards it with that purpose in action

Run With Direction (v. 26)

There was a direction that they ran their race - they didn’t run all over the place, they stayed in between the lines that were set before them focused on the finish line

Judged for how they ran, not just who crossed the finish line first

“Not without aim… not beating the air…”

Powerlifting aim - lift the weight, keep the form, don’t get injured

Wrestling aim - put the other guys on his back and make both of his shoulders touch the mat

Spiritual aim:

To please God with my actions, motivation…

Application:

The way that we run with right direction is to live with the end in mind. Living focused on being with Jesus will help you run your race of faith to live out the Gospel because Jesus is your focus

Run With Discipline (v. 27)

An athlete cannot compete if he’s undisciplined and unfocused because if he doesn’t discipline himself then he could be disqualified from the race (not speaking of loss of salvation)

“Discipline”

“Slave”

What are some things you need to bring under God’s submission?

Purity

Time Management

Homework (doing it…), studying, getting your work done on time

Where you spend your time tells you what you’re running for, your motivation tells you why you’re running for it, and the combination of them shows you what you really care about

Application:

Running your race of faith with discipline is running with focus, putting everything under God’s submission including the things you don’t want to. If you’re obedient to run in this way then you won’t be disqualified (not loss of salvation, more loss of effectiveness) from the race because you’re disciplined to focus on Jesus

Closing

In our race of faith…

What is our determination? My best in Christ is the only acceptable way to run

What is our direction? The way God has called me to run

What is our discipline? The submission of myself, what I do, and why I do it

Announcements:

Young Adult Choir - Sunday at 5:15pm in the sanctuary

Tailgate Hangout - Saturday October 18

INVITE NIGHT - October 23 (3 weeks)

Dinner provided that night

Goal: 100