Racing For The Prize, ICor. 9:24-27 #122
Intro: This afternoon if you turn on the TV you will discover that sports dominate the airwaves. We are sports loving people. We have come to the place that we WORSHIP sport and sports heroes. ILLUS (baseball & football cards etc.) The most read page of the paper is the sports page. Little boys can tell you the E.R.A. of their favorite pitcher but can't memorize the Bible verses. THIS IS NOT A 2Oth CENTURY PHENOMENA. In Paul's day the Roman world was also sports crazy. The most popular sporting event of his time was held in Corinth. The Isthmian Games. These athletic events were so popular the even overshadowed the ancient Olympics.
Paul wrote this scripture to the Corinthians encouraging them to apply the same zeal and determination to their Christian lives as they did to their athletics. He spoke in terms that a sports loving people could understand, so these same terms should be meaningful to you today.
I. VS 24 & 25b, HE SPEAKS OF THE TROPHY
The winner of the race, the contest, the event receives the prize. If you want to know how important the trophy is just look at the face of the losers.
A. In the Isthmian games the winner received a crown made of evergreen needles. Beautiful, symbolic of the victory but in reality worthless. Several months latter they were dead, dry and crumbling.
i. Men sacrifice to obtain the worthless trophies of athletic competition. To prepare for the Olympics, today athletes sacrificially exercise, diet, abstain from any semblance of a normal life so they can temper their bodies into peak condition for the contest. For what? A medal.
ii. Even in our church young men will sacrifice time to practice softball, altering their life to prepare for the competition. WHY? For the trophy.
ALL THIS SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION FOR A CORRUPTIBLE PRIZE. A WORTHLESS RELIC.
B.THE PRIZE OF JESUS CHRIST IS BETTER THAN ALL THE TROPHYS AND METALS THE WORLD CAN GIVE.
1. VS 25, The prize in the Christian race is an incorruptible crown. It is of infinite value and everlasting worth. THIS PRIZE IS VALUABLE BECAUSE OF THE ONE WHO GIVES IT. JESUS.
2. The value of any trophy is related to who gives it. An Olympic medal has little value in itself. It is valuable because it is given by the Olympic committee. The Worlds series trophy is worthless EXCEPT when given by the MAJOR LEAGUES. A little league trophy is not a valuable as a major league trophy. Why? BECAUSE OF WHO GIVES IT ANS WHAT IS REPRESENTS.
a. THE GREATEST PRIZE EVER, THE GREATEST TROPHY, THE UTMOST CROWN IS GIVEN BY THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, JESUS CHRIST. IT IS GIVEN AS HIS EXPRESSION OF SATISFACTION AND APPROVAL TO THOSE WHO HAVE RUN THE RACE, DONE THEIR BEST FOR THE LORD.
II. VS 26 HE SPEAKS OF THE TEST.
A. Paul says he runs with determination. Not shadow boxing. He means business.
i. Christian we are in a serious competition. Not with other churches or other Christians but with the Devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.
The enemy isn't the lost man, he is a victim. The enemy is the devil. He is out to deceive you so as to enslave you. He wants to destroy everything that God loves.
LISTEN, THIS COMPETITION IS NOT A GAME. The Devil is playing for keeps. IT IS A LIFE OR DEATH COMPETITION.
Satan is organized. (Eph 6:12) We are struggling against a liar who will deceive you. His demons will whisper lies into your mind to turn you away from the truth of God. Even as I preach the evil one will plant errant thoughts in your mind to prevent the truth of the word of God from taking root. You are in a battle for your freedom. You don't have to be enslaved the bible says:
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
1. THE FUTURE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE OUTCOME OF THIS BATTLE.
a. Your children's future is at stake. Parents have the Biblical authority over their children. If you don't earnestly contend your children will be subjected to the same problems that you face today. Your faithfulness in the battle will determine Rather they will have to live in a country where perverts have rights and good moral Christians are persecuted. Or a land where righteousness prevails.
b. Your future. Rather you live a life that is supernaturally blessed by God with what Jesus promised as abundant life, or rather your life is supernaturally tormented by the powers of darkness that infest this world. Rather you live victoriously in Jesus or live defeated just existing.
B. CHRISTIANS, WE NEED TO BE A SERIOUS ABOUT THIS CONTEST AS THE DEVIL IS. WE NEED TO POUR OUR WHOLE BEING INTO THIS BATTLE. We need to be EARNEST.
i. No indifferent competitor has ever won a race. The half hearted never get far from the starting point.
1. Will you dedicate yourself today to be SINCERE about Jesus. I MEAN, QUIT PLAYING CHURCH. Quit considering your Christianity as an accessory to life. CONSIDER IT LIFE ITSELF. Paul said, "FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST."
C. .Not only do we need to be earnest we need RESOLVE. Resolve means that you have a fixed purpose. It means that you have your eyes fixed on the goal and that you aren't going to get sidetracked. RESOLVE IS A DETERMINATION TO RUN THE RACE no matter what it takes no matter what it costs.
D. ANOTHER THING WE NEED IS CONTINUITY. If you are to hear Jesus say to you " Well done my good and faithful servant." you must have continuity. Many Christian's lives consist of complacency punctuated by spasmodic attacks of fervent religion and righteous living. There is no continuity. Why? They are relying on feelings. THEY SERVE GOD AS LONG AS IT FEELS GOOD. As long as they tingle, as long as their service IS REWARDING. Well, Feelings wont get you very far. WHY NOT JUST TRUST CHRIST and take another step.
III. VS 27 HE SPEAKS OF THE TRAINING
i. The key word here is subjection.
B. In the athletic world the athlete places himself in subjection to the coach. An Athlete, if he is to succeed will listen to the coach and do what the coach says.
C. The Christian must place himself in subjection to Jesus Christ. This means that we must do what he says. We must live how he commands us to live. If we refuse to live as the Lord commands we are inviting the devil to have a place in our life. And friends if you INVITE HIM he will come. DO WHAT JESUS SAYS!
D. vs. 27 Paul is saying that when we obey Christ we become useful to him. When we refuse the Lord's ways we become "castaways" He is using a term that would translate into today's athletic language as "disqualified." Paul says he places himself in subjection to the Lord so he can be successful in the race.
Conclusion. Christianity is not a GAME. We are involved in a life and death struggle. JESUS CHRIST GIVES LIFE. SATAN WANTS TO TAKE LIFE. JESUS IS THE TRUTH. SATAN IS A LIAR. JESUS GIVES LIFE SATAN GIVES DEATH.
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
CHRISTIAN ARE YOU READY TO RUN THE RACE WITH FERVOR.
First: Submit to the Lord. Is Jesus the Master of our life today. If not, today you need to come forward and JUST SUBMIT TO HIS RULERSHIP.
Second Get into training. How? Vow to read the Bible daily ad pray. Vow to attend S.S. & church regularly.
Third Get involved in the Lord's work. Would you commit to spend as much time with the Lord's work as you do your hobbies or sports?
However: As important as these things are there is a more important decision that must be made today by some. That is your decision to take JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR.
Rom 10: 9-10
INV. JUST AS I AM.
