In It to Win It!
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning we are right back in our study of 1 Corinthians. We are in chapter 9. If you remember, the focus of chapter 9 is a local church’s pastor. So for the past few weeks, the microscope has been on me as your pastor. However, today, we will see a shift from me as pastor to all of us as the Holy Spirit challenges us.
I want to pick up where I left off last week by way of introduction. But before I do, let me give you the outline of this chapter. We started with consideration concerning a Pastor’s Pay in verses 7-11. If you recall, we tied the first 6 verses back to chapter 8. So, in reality, verse 7 is where the Holy Spirit picks up the subject of a pastor. In the Pastor’s Pay message, we answered whether or not God expects each local church to financially take care of its pastor(s). The answer was simply “yes.” God does expect each local church to take care of its pastor(s).
From there, the Holy Spirit exposed the Pastor’s Passion.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
Every pastor who is indeed called of God is passionate about preaching the gospel of Christ. In fact, a faithful pastor must preach the gospel. It is a necessity to him. God lays that burden upon him expecting him to fulfill God’s call to preach.
Then, last week, the Holy Spirit explained the Pastor’s Process. There is a method by which God expects every pastor to fulfill his “dispensation” to preach the gospel. We note that part of the process involves serving others. Look at these crucial verses from last week’s message.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Between those two verses, the Holy Spirit noted Paul’s desire to be all things to all people. Thus, to the Jews, he became a Jew. To those without law, he became one without law. In other words, he willingly became whatever he had to be to share the gospel with them.
One principle limited Paul’s extent to becoming all things to all men. He would not violate God’s law. Look at verse 21.
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
It is never right to do wrong to gain others for Christ. In fact, it is quite literally in reverse to all the Holy Spirit teaches us in the New Testament. Tonight, in our study of James, we will focus on the importance of God’s wisdom. His wisdom must be the foundation of how we live our lives each day. If you come tonight, you will find that each characteristic of God’s wisdom is founded upon God’s purity. Thus, we, as believers, are to live pure. Therefore, there is no room for sin or doing wrong.
Now, I want to pick up with one other thing the Holy Spirit mentions about a Pastor’s Process. It will be the launching pad for today’s message.
Look at verse 23.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Remember Paul’s process involved serving others. It was what he did “for the gospel’s sake.” But then note the following statement. The Holy Spirit notes Paul’s desire was also that he “might be partaker thereof with you.”
The other part of a Pastor’s Process is partnering with others in spreading the gospel of Christ.
Remember, Paul’s process involved serving others. It was what he did “for the gospel’s sake.” But then note the following statement. The Holy Spirit notes Paul’s desire was also that he “might be partaker thereof with you.”
The other part of a Pastor’s Process is partnering with others in spreading the gospel of Christ.
The responsibility of proclaiming the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection should not be just a pastor’s passion but every believer’s passion.
Here is a visual that demonstrates God’s purpose for every believer. It is a purpose that works in conjunction with the local church.
*Put the chart on the screen
Note that each believer’s spiritual journey begins with the Gospel of Christ. Jesus Christ is at the center of the gospel message. His death, burial, and resurrection paved the way for you and me to be spiritually resurrected so that we might once again reunite with God. From the moment we are saved until we reach Heaven, our purpose in life remains focused on the Gospel of Christ. Personally, our goal is to grow closer to Christ so we might proclaim Christ to others. The local church is the public avenue through which we are then to worship Christ, serve Christ, and edify others in Christ. Our whole objective, both personally and corporately, is to preach the gospel of Christ.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Christ Himself commissioned each of us to proclaim His gospel (His good news) to the world.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
My job is your job. Your responsibility is my responsibility. We are “partakers” together in preaching the gospel. We are to be faithful in this great and wonderful undertaking.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
We must become all things that we might win all men to Christ.
Now comes today’s text and message. A message that most likely we will have to continue into next Sunday.
Today’s message is titled “In It to Win It.”
Look at our text which is verses 24-27.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
All of us are pretty familiar with sporting competitions. America has increasingly become known for its many entertainment venues. Sports is at the top of the list. From baseball to football and everything in between, Americans obsess over sports. Many Americans played sports in elementary, middle, and high school. Some go on to play in college. Some, who are talented enough, end up playing for professional sports teams making millions of dollars. Unfortunately, for the majority of us, that never happened. However, we are still obsessed. How do I know? Try coaching a youth team or a high school team. Parents today have their kids involved in one, two, and even three different sports. I am not criticizing here; I emphasize how much Americans love sports.
In our text, the Holy Spirit uses a sports analogy. Here He is speaking off running a race. The city of Corinth was known for its Isthmian Games. These games were similar to the Olympic Games of Greece and Rome. Thus, when the Holy Spirit uses this analogy, every Corinthian believer knew well the point being made.
The comparison here is that of a believer to an athlete. It is a comparison for all believers and not just for pastors or ministers. Remember verse 23, which said:
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
That last phrase is a transition phase. It transitioned from focusing on just pastors to now bringing the focus to all believers, with pastors included. We are all partakers together in proclaiming the gospel of Christ. For that reason, we are to live disciplined lives similarly to professional athletes or Olympic athletes.
As such, 6 specific points relate to us and our running the race of the gospel. Don’t worry. We are not going to make all 6 points today. Hopefully, we can get the first three and then come back next week for more.
Here is the first point, and it is the reason for my title.
We Run Determined to Win!
We Run Determined to Win!
A believer’s life is all about winning. Running a race is about winning. Professional athletes work and train for one purpose - to win. Our reason for entering the spiritual race of living and proclaiming the gospel is to win. Look again at verse 24.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
What compels a runner to train and run a race? They do so that they might receive the award, aka to win. How then must they run to win? They must run methodically and push themselves hard to outpace the rest so that they might “obtain” - to win. No runner running a 100-meter sprint race in the Olympics will walk. That is unacceptable. They do not jog, lag behind, or even show little concern for not finishing. No, they run as fast and as hard as possible, so that might outrun everyone else crossing the finish line first. They have incredible intensity and focus throughout their training and the race itself. Their focus is about being faster so that they might win.
Here is the point!
We, as believers, are to have that same intensity and focus in our daily lives. Our sole purpose is to win for Christ. This principle is encouraged throughout the entire New Testament.
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The word “press” gives the impression of someone working hard with great intensity as they move forward for Christ. We all are to strive for that day when we stand before Him, knowing that our race is done. The moment described in 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Our goal is to win. Winning is the only thing God knows and understands. We are about to celebrate Easter. You do realize that Easter is about winning. Christ WON the victory over Satan, sin, and death. Through Him, we are winners.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
We are more than winners. The word “conquerors” has the idea of winning a battle. Christ’s victory is our victory. It is why we as believers can sing:
O VICTORY in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood;
He love me ere I knew Him,
and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me TO VICTORY beneath the cleansing flood.
May I say to all fellow believers this morning that we are in this to win it because He won it all for us!
That is point number one. Here is the next.
We Run with Discipline!
We Run with Discipline!
Look again at our text. Note verse 25.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Here the Holy Spirit uses the word “temperate.” This word literally means to restrain one’s self. Note the reason for temperance or, as we would say today, “self-control.” We do so that we might “obtain…an incorruptible (crown).” I will come back to the crown in just a moment. For now, I want to emphasize that we must be temperate in all things.
As you know, professional athletes do an incredible amount of training. They watch what they eat, how much they eat, and then the workout their bodies turning what they eat into the necessary muscles for their sport. Every single day they discipline their bodies so they may perform at a high level.
A cyclist or swimmer may need 6,000 to 8,000 calories per day (due to the high volume of training), while team sport athletes like basketball and soccer will land between 3,500 and 5,000 calories (which will vary depending on the demands of the day). Jake Archibald. (2022) What Pro Athletes Eat For Breakfast vs. What YOU Should Eat. Retrieved March 25, 2022, from https://news.yahoo.com/pro-athletes-eat-breakfast-vs-104500325.html
Many of these same athletes work out and train every day throughout the day. They have learned self-discipline. They “striveth for the mastery.” The word “strive” literally means agony. These professional athletes force themselves through pain so they may master their sport.
Note also the words “all things.” Thus, they discipline themselves in all things. They discipline their body and their mind so they might compete. What does that mean?
Here is the point for us this morning!
Just professional athletes (even more so since the stakes are much higher), we, as believers, must be “temperate in all things.” In other words, we must learn to discipline ourselves as well. However, here is the thing! We cannot do it on our own. The spiritual grace of the gospel is a race that we cannot run without God’s help. It is the reason that God gave us the Holy Spirit. We must humble ourselves before Him and seek His help.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The words “be filled with the Spirit” mean to be controlled by the Spirit. We must learn to yield to Him allowing Him to bring discipline into our lives. As we do, we run to win others for Christ as our marathon takes us closer to the finish line of Heaven.
What then should we yield to the Holy Spirit?
We should yield our bodies to His control.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
We should yield our minds (our thoughts) to His control.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
We should yield our spirit to His control.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We should yield our service to others to His control.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
As believes we are to run to win and we are to run with discipline. Here is the last point for today.
We Run for a Determined Prize!
We Run for a Determined Prize!
Look again at verse 25.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
The prize already is determined for us. It is an incorruptible crown. NFL teams play to win the Lombardi Trophy. MLB teams play to win the World Series Crown. Olympians play to win gold medals. Therein lies the great tragedy. None of the athletes who win these awards will take them with them when they die. You see, they are corruptible crowns and trophies. On Paul’s day, athletes won crowns or wreaths of olive or pine leaves. Many won. And, perhaps, many were famous for their athletic feats. Who knows about them today? Can you name one Roman or Greek athlete right now? Where are their crowns of olive leaves? They are gone. All the fame and all the accolades cease with death. However, that is not true for believers.
If we run our race governed by the Holy Spirit’s control over our lives, we will obtain an incorruptible crown one day. Scripture speaks of several crowns that each believer may receive when standing before the Great Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is the Crown of Righteousness.
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
There is the Crown of Life.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
There is the Crown of Glory.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Each of these crowns is obtainable for the believer. However, we do not obtain these crowns for our own pride and self-glory. No, we receive them so that we might not be empty-handed for a special event in Heaven.
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
We, as believers, should also desire to have crowns that we might cast at His feet. However, to obtain these crowns, we must run the spiritual race before us right now.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Let me conclude with a summation and challenge this morning. Our text is undeniable that we, as believers, are running a spiritual race. I contend that this race is centered around the gospel of Christ. From the moment of salvation until the moment we are called home, our entire life is about the good news of Christ. We have a clear mandate from Christ to be the messengers of that good news. The whole teaching of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is about living a life by which we become ambassadors for Him. God’s desire is to use as the instrument that impacts the world to see Him. Think about it. Personally, He calls us to love Him and love others. He demonstrated His love by giving His Son’s life as a ransom for our sin. Now, we show our love for Him and others by giving our lives so others hear the gospel. Therefore, our lives are not our own. Our life, however short or long it is, is His. For that reason, we must run to win. We are to win others, and in so doing, we win for Him. When our life here on earth is ended, we will stand before Him. His biggest concern on that day was how did we run. Did we run well? Did we finish well? Did we run to win? Did we run under His control? Did we run to obtain an incorruptible crown?
Believer, when your lifework is ended, and you cross the swelling tide, will Christ say, “Well done!” Will you know that you fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith? Are you living such a life right now? If not, then I encourage you to repent. Turn to God. Yield your body, mind, and spirit to His Spirit. Leave this morning with a renewed commitment to the race. Leave with the mindset that says, “I am in it to win it!”