Exploring Corinthians #16

Running To Win

Last week we ended on Paul’s effort to WIN the lost, and to see them saved from the wrath of God.

Today we pick up with where we left off in:

1 Corinthians 9:

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

So Paul goes from talking about winning souls to winning a race.

what kind of race was he referring to?

Paul was speaking about a Spiritual race not a natural race.

What Paul was saying is that there is a spiritual competition taking place.

Every competitor has an opponent.

So who is the opponent in Paul’s race?

Paul’s List of things to run against:

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 NKJV

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Fornication = Sex outside of marriage

Idolatry = putting anything before God

Adultery = Breaking the marriage covenant

Homosexuality = same sex relationships

Sodomy = Anal Sex

Thievery = Taking what isn’t yours

Covetousness = Jealousy

Drunkenness = Abuse of mind altering substances

Reviler = Verbal Abusers = Slanderers

Extortion = Blackmail = abuse of power

Paul said to FLEE or Escape Sexual immorality.

Paul said to FLEE idolatry

Paul said to FLEE youthful lust.

The word flee means to escape

If you were trying to escape danger would you do it slowly or as quickly as possible?