Run the Race to Win!Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [22]

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

November 2, 2014Pastor Paul K. Kim

PAUL’S THREEFOLD SURRENDER FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL [CHAP 9]

• Surrender of his financial right/compensation (vs.1-18)

“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...”(9:18)

• Surrender of his freedom/independence (vs. 19-23)

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them...” (9:19)

• Surrender of his physical softness/comfort (vs. 24-27) [TODAY]

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control...”(9:27)

WHY IS SELF-DISCIPLINE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

1) Self-discipline is essential because we are to run as the one who wins the prize.

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. (v. 24)

In this analogy, Paul does NOT mean that in the Christian race there is competition among believers and only one winner.

Paul’s POINT is that we ought to run like the one who wins the race—i.e., run with the intensity and zeal of the winner!

We must ask this question about our Christian life: “Am I running like the one who wins the prize OR am I just jogging?”

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my

own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But

one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining

forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal

for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ

Jesus.Philippians 3:12-14

WHY IS SELF-DISCIPLINE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

2) Self-discipline is essential because we are to “train” ourselves in running for the imperishable reward.

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable

wreath, but we an imperishable. (v. 25)

 Train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value,

godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life

and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7b-8

WHY IS SELF-DISCIPLINE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

2) Self-discipline is essential because we are to “train” ourselves in running for the imperishable reward.

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable

wreath, but we an imperishable. (v. 25)

Self-control/self-discipline [“training”] is a voluntary surrender of one’s rights for a goal; for all athletes this is a must.

So is for Christ-followers who run for the prize of Christ; how we train ourselves matters for eternity.

What is this reward? The ultimate reward is our eternal life with Christ—but, the way we will experience the reward may be different!

• Reward: the Consummation of Our Earthly Discipleship

• We must not be troubled by unbelievers when they say that this promise of reward makes the Christian life a mercenary affair. There are different kinds of reward. There is the reward which has no natural connection with the things you do to earn it, and is quite foreign to the desires that ought to accompany those things. Money is not the natural reward of love; that is why we call a man mercenary if he marries a woman for the sake of her money. But marriage is the proper reward for a real lover, and he is not mercenary for desiring it . . . Those who have attained everlasting life in the vision of God doubtless know very well that it is no mere bribe, but the very consummation of their earthly discipleship; but we who have not yet attained it cannot know this in the same way, and cannot even begin to know it at all except by continuing to obey and finding the first reward of our obedience in our increasing power to desire the ultimate reward.

• — C. S. Lewis

WHY IS SELF-DISCIPLINE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

3) Self-discipline is essential because we are to live out the Christian life with clear spiritual aim and focus.

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

Paul now applies the principle to himself; first, negatively—his Christian life was NOT like aimless running or shadow boxing.

Rather, Paul had a focus and aim in all things he did; That’s how he was able to endure the sufferings and persecutions.

Hence, we also ought to have a clear spiritual focus and aim in all things we do—it matters how we live each day!

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous

judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me

but also to all who have loved his appearing.2 Timothy 4:7-8

WHY IS SELF-DISCIPLINE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

4) Self-discipline is essential because we are to discipline our bodies in the healthy tension of God’s grace & our self-denial.

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others

 I myself should be disqualified. (v. 27)

Paul “disciplined” his body [Greek word means “to make his body black and blue”] in running the race towards the prize.

Vigilance against “disqualification” is not just for preachers but for all Christians to finish the race and keep the faith!

Our running to win is in the tension of (1) God’s sovereign grace [our assurance] and (2) our vigorous self-surrender [our responsibility]—this is the paradox of the true Christian life!

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every

weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us

run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus,

the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that

was set before him endured the cross, despising the

shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,

so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my

absence, work out your own salvation with fear and

trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my

own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:12

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

1. In what ways are you more convinced of the need for your own self-discipline in the Christian life?

2. What would it mean for you to run the race like the one who wins the prize? What is your first step?

3. In what ways can you also discipline your body with spiritual aim and intensity? What is your first step?