1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Intro

In the section that we are going to talk about tonight Paul will be focused on Christian

But since we are jumping into the middle of the book let me go through quickly some of the reasons that Paul is writing this letter

There was a major self-centeredness issue within the church at Corinth

different cliques within the church were beginning to form (somewhat based off who they chose to follow)

they were flaunting their knowledge and liberty in front of others, and would put on selfish displays as they served

The people of Corinth were relaxed in their sexual ethics and pagan worship, which spilled into the church

They also had difficulty in accepting the resurrection of the body.

Overall, their main issue was unity together as the Church, and in freedom

Does that sound like anything you know?

So, in the few verses that we are going to go through tonight, Paul here is going to focus on Christian liberty

And in a call to say that we are free in Christ, he begins to share how he chooses not to employ all of his rights

9:12 Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ

9:15a But I have made no use of any of these rights...

9:18-19 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. For thought I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

9:22b ...I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Paul lived out this way exactly!

In ministering to the Jews (9:20)

In ministering to the Gentiles (9:21)

In ministering to the weak believers (9:22)

And in ministering to himself

Pray

Read 9:24-27

Know What You Are Running For (24-25)

Paul here uses an analogy for the Isthmus games, it was similar to the Olympics where there were different events that you could go and compete in or watch

This was easy, and was readily something that people could grasp onto.

And, it fits this subject perfectly

Your walk of life is as a race, all your life you are running towards something

These racers did not race for nothing, they were racing for a crown

At the time the crown that they would race for was often a wreath, which would eventually die and wither away

But Paul contrasts this wreath for what we are racing for

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

These racers, or the racers of the world are running for that which is a perishable bestowment, yet ours is imperishable

You have to know what it is that you are running for.

Is it your life or is it the glory of God?

How do I know what I am running for?

Well let’s look to the world,

What are you focused on, what does your heart turn towards?

Is it making more money?

Is it the gym?

is it makeup?

sex or porn

Instagram

Approval

grades

What is is?

Your hearts will be turned towards something, the prize that you are chasing is either God or it’s not. And I can’t tell you what that thing is. But I’d be willing to bet that you know what it is

And if you tell me that you have no idea what your heart is leaning towards, then it’s not God

And for those of you who are running a race for yourself then your prize is exactly how God describes it

Perishable, and that prize will be eternal perishing

Do Not Run Aimlessly (26)

How do we help ourselves from running aimlessly

Paul tells us how he runs

Read 26-27

He runs in a way with knowing that which he is running towards

He runs with an aim or a target in view

Keep your target in your eyes

And you need to be mindful what your target is

Paul tells us that our prize is eternal life. What does that mean?

Jesus tells us what eternal life is, in the High Priestly Prayer that He prays on the night He was arrested

John 17:1–3 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

To know God!

And to go to heaven, right?

Yes, that’s a part of knowing God, is residing with Him

There will be no more tears, because He will wipe them from your face, no more suffering, you will be living in eternal glory

But moreso than anything, it is to be with and to know God

If that’s your aim, then how does Paul tell us to run towards that aim?

26b-27

The boxing is a way to contrast what he is teaching

He is not a shadow boxer, he is beating his own body into submission, and self-control

You need to live in a way of self-control

Do you command your flesh, or does it command you?

Whatever the thing is that you may have been chasing after before, must be resolved

You claim to love God yet you drag your feet to kill the thing that is drawing you away from Him!

Today is the day

How do I command my flesh? Draw something else into your heart, draw Someone else into your heart

That which rests in the center of your heart is what will pour out from it

The last time that we met like this I talked about standing strong against the devil and his demons

Your job isn’t to fight, it is to stand firm in the Lord

How did Jesus deny His flesh?

When He was tempted He used the Bible to combat the devil

And Paul tells us in Ephesians that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God

What are you going to do when temptation comes? What are you going to do when the devil tries to pull you off course and set a perishable crown before your eyes?

Will you blissfully run towards it? Or will you run to the Lord and ask Him to continue to guide you?

You’re going to make a decision, and before the challenge comes to you, be it tonight, tomorrow, or next week decide today in what manner you are going to respond.

Will you, run just as the world does, or will you run towards the crown which is imperishable? Towards the Lord?

Towards the One Who loved you so much that He died for you?

If that’s where you want to run, then it’s time to get yourself under control

Open your Bibles, spend time in His Word, really spend time in His Word

Find help, ask someone to be accountable to, someone that you can check in with, or go to when you are struggling, someone that will pray for and with you

And look for new habits to replace the old ones with. What would be helpful and healthy that will scratch the same issue in your heart as your current sins do?

Your sins are not plaguing you for no reason, you are bent towards them because of an issue in your heart, and that needs to be fixed.

But the good news is that the Lord is in the business of fixing hearts.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Run towards the Lord, and what He has promised for you, and challenge yourself in such a manner that you will be disciplined to run

It’s hard to wake up every day challenging yourself in this, however I know that the challenges today will be but the blink of an eye when living in communion with God in eternity.