“The Race for Souls.”

Well Good morning. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 9. The title of our message today is, “The Race for Souls.” Down through history there have been a lot of famous races. Men and women have competed for thousands of years to see who is the fastest runner.

(The story of breaking the 2 hour marathon)

On October 12th 2019 a man by the name of Eliud Kipchoge set off to break the 2 hour marathon. Many people though this goal with impossible. On this particular morning in Vienna, Austria the weather conditions were perfect. To be fair there were many things that were set in place to help him run the perfect race. The streets were blocked off only for him, and the whole town cheered loudly for him the entire race. Kipchoge ran a consistent pace with the help of a electric timing car in front of him, and he had a group of men who ran in front of him to block the wind. In the end Kipchoge ran a 1:59:40. He ran the perfect race.

There is a big difference between a physical race and the spiritual race that every believer is running in. Paul tells us here in chapter 9 that we as believers run for an imperishable wreath and we run in such a way that others might come to know Christ. This is what Paul’s whole life was all about. In fact, this is why he takes time here to point us as God’s people to see that the whole goal of life is to run or race in such a way that we would win people to Christ. Of course this goal is never easy. Throughout our lives we will all face many obstacles. We will face the pressure of this world. We will face spiritual welfare, distractions, and attacks from the enemy. We will face fear, doubt, and the confidence to share our faith.

As Paul continues his letter to the Corinthians here we see the principle that he laid out in the first section of chapter 9. When it comes to loving our brothers and sisters in Christ there are limits to our rights. And even though Paul had the right to be supported by the church, he choose not too, in order that others would not have cause to doubt in the good news of Jesus and came to a saving knowledge of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:15–27 ESV

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 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. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

This morning I want to share 3 ways in which we can run the race for souls. In fact, let me give you 3 words to help you with this theme.

1. We are to see the need to Deliver the Gospel.

1. Debemos reconocer la necesidad de llevar el Evangelio.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

English Standard Version Chapter 9

17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

18 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.

I will never forget when I first starting dating Jennifer how excited I was to deliver her some flowers. I wanted to do everything I could to show her my love for her. Delivering flowers to someone can really make their day and show others how much we care about them. But even more so church when we take time to deliver and share the good news of Jesus with others, this can be life changing news.

Paul makes it clear here that there is an importance of sharing or presenting the gospel. Several different times here Paul talks about preaching the gospel. We live in a day and age where many people talk about how all roads lead to heaven. If you are just a good person many religions believe than you can earn your way to heaven. But, Paul shares with us in chapter 15 exactly what the gospel is all about.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

There is only one way to eternal life and that is through the blood of Christ. The problem that many people forget to talk about when explaining the gospel is our sin. Our sin separates us from a holy and righteous God. We need to be saved from the wrath of God and the hell we deserve. So, the only solution is turning and submitting to God as our Lord and Savior. This is where so many people struggle, because they would rather hold onto their sin. Paul had been commissioned by Christ to preach the gospel and so he saw that the delivering of the gospel as so important that he would give his life for it. He feels the passion and burden to help others know about the life changing news of Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon said, “If a man is truly called of God to ministry, there will be a fire in his bones, so that he will be a great influence. His friends may criticize him, but he must preach if he has the call of heaven.”

Now we may think that it is only the job of pastors and missionaries to deliver the gospel, but if you are a believer in Christ you should look for opportunities to share your faith with others. Paul had no choice in this matter. As he was called by the Lord he was entrusted to take advantage of the opportunities that God provided for him. Paul realized that failure to be obedient to Christ and his calling would bring serious discipline upon himself. This is why he said, “woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” Because Paul had a love for Christ he looked forward to sharing the good news about his Lord and Savior. Is this you today? Do you look forward to sharing the good news of Christ? Ask God to give you the words and confidence to do this.

In verse 18, Paul asks the question, “what then is my reward?” More than anything Paul wanted to deliver the gospel free of charge. Paul was boasting that delivering the gospel free of charge was a wonderful thing. Why? So that men and women could come to know Christ. The word boasting can mean rejoicing or reveling. Now of course boasting can be a sin, but here Paul’s boasting was a feeling of joy that he could spend the time that God had given him not to be a burden on those whom he served, but to work as for the Lord and give his life for the gospel.

2. We are to Deny ourselves.

2. Debemos negarnos a nosotros mismos.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Paul was willing to make personal sacrifices so that people might come to know Christ. Paul was willing to become a servant or slave for Christ. This shows us that Paul was able to win the lost to Jesus through denying his own rights. Paul changed his habits, his desires, and his life so that people would not be hindered from seeing the love of Christ. Paul shares several areas of his life where he was willing to deny himself so that others would be drawn to the Lord. It is important here to remember what Paul writes back in chapter 6. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Our bodies are no longer ours. We are dead to our selfish lives and desires. We must pick up our cross daily and follow Christ. When we do this we begin to see the importance of serving others so that they might come to know Christ.

A. To the Jews, or to those under the law. The first group of people Paul is talking about is the Jewish people who stilled lived under the Mosaic law. Thomas Schreiner comments here, “Paul identified himself first and foremost as a Christian. Yet, Paul adapted, living as a Jew when with the Jews in order to win them to Christ.” Paul himself was no longer bound to the old traditions of Judaism, but if following them could help the Jews come to know Christ then Paul would do what he could to help these Jewish people see Christ as the true Savior. Paul’s prayer and desire for those who lived under the law would be that they come to trust in Christ and not in a works based faith. Paul knew better than anyone that living under the law offered no spiritual benefit what so ever. Being perfectly obedient to all the laws could not offer any type of salvation, because that came only through faith in Christ. Some of the examples of Paul becoming like a Jew in order to win them was when he had Timothy circumcised in Acts 16 so that he could help evangelize some of the Jewish people there in Derbe and Lystra. Paul also took a Nazirite vow to purify himself in Acts 18 and verse 18 so that there would not be an offense in trying to win some of the Jews to Christ.

B. The second group Paul mentions here is to those outside the law or the Gentiles.

Paul now is speaking to those who have been brought up with no idea of God’s laws. While Paul is no longer bound to the Mosaic laws he is still under the law of Christ. Paul is still to be obedient to the 10 commandments and other moral laws which help us to obey and follow Jesus.

MacArthur points out here, “that none of us in Christ is outside the law of God, but we are rather under the law of Christ.” Paul is doing everything he can here to look as closely as he can without compromising his love for Christ with the Gentile customs so that he can help win them to Christ.

C. Finally, Paul is speaking to those who are weak. Paul uses this phrase here to help us see that he is speaking to those who were weak and did not have the ability to see or understand who Christ was. These type of people needed a very simple and helpful way to understand the good news of Jesus. Paul became all things to all men and women, so that he might save some of them.

MacArthur once again comments here, “Paul’s life was focussed on living out the gospel by preaching and teaching the gospel, and nothing else was a concern to him. This is why he said, “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.” Paul’ life was the gospel. Paul therefore set aside anything that would hinder it’s power and effectiveness.”

3. We are to be Disciplined.

3. Debemos ser disciplinados.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

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

English Standard Version Chapter 9

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Paul now closes this section with some helpful examples and imagery from athletics. In fact, there are many times in the New Testament that Paul draws on from athletic imagery. Paul here urges the Corinthian believers to be like a runner or boxer so that they might finish or win the competition. So, how are we to win? We are to live our lives in such a way that others may be drawn to Christ. Paul here is explaining to them that you are to keep your life under control! Be disciplined!

In verse 24 Paul asks the question don’t you know that in a race we all run, but only one receives a prize. So, run that you may win. Paul is saying that he is running in the race for souls. He wants men and women to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Paul will become all things to all men so that they may come to the greatest prize ever and that is Jesus. The question that we must considered today church is how do we help others come to know Christ?

(1.) We must be self-controlled.

In verse 25 Paul says that you are to live a self-controlled life just like an athlete does. An athlete is self-controlled in his diet, exercise, and proper sleep. He is ready to go on race day. Athletes train hard and put in the hard work. They don’t eat junk food. Just like athletes spiritually speaking, believers are to train their bodies to avoid temptations and worldly pleasures so that people would see Christ in us as we too run the race for the glory of God.

(2.) Run so that people will see Christ in you.

Paul says here that you can run around aimlessly or box as if you are a shadow boxer (beating the air) and that is a silly thing. Runners or boxers compete so that they may receive a prize or a wreath. This was what the winners of the Olympic Games or Isthmian games won. They won a perishable wreath or crown. In contrast to this, we as believers run to receive an imperishable crown. In other words, the souls of men and women are the imperishable crown.

(3.) We must be disciplined so that we don’t disqualify ourselves.

Paul here talks about the importance of being disciplined like a runner and boxer was. Sometimes runners can drop the baton or start before the gun goes off and therefore they are disqualified. Paul does not want to go out and preach and teach the gospel to men and women and then himself fail so that he is disqualified. Paul’s fear here is that because of something that he would do in his personal life he could become disqualified in his service to Christ. Down through the years we have seen many pastors through moral failures become disqualified. However, there are many believers who have lost their testimony due to something they have done and said which can cause others not to see Christ in themselves.

Conclusion: More than anything Paul wants believers to follow Christ so that they would point others to Him. Paul wants us to get into the race so that we start well. He wants us also to run the race well and keep our hearts and minds focused on the Lord. However, he also wants us to finish well as we share the good news of Christ with others. We must be disciplined to do this. We must call out to the Lord for strength and help as we continue in the race, and we must ask God to help us finish the Christian race well.

(Close in Prayer)