Run To Win!

1. Run To Win! Text: I Cor. 9:24 Scripture Reading: I Cor. 9:24-27

2. Intro Man’s respect for a commitment is sorely lacking in our world today (Broken promises, vows, marriages, etc.) • Jesus requires a commitment from those who are His • disciples: • Lk. 14:28: Told to count the cost of discipleship before committing themselves to Him. • Lk. 9:62: One who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God! • Commitment: • The act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action. I Cor. 9:24 24. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Run To Win!

3. Intro • Athletics In The First Century: • The ancient Greeks were noted for their devotion to the athletic games • After Rome conquered the Greeks, the Romans continued this interest • The Jews found the games to be offensive because the games were a form of idolatry. They were played in honor of the gods (even began with a sacrifice to honor the gods) • The Greek word for “exercise” (G1128: gumnazo) literally means “to practice naked” • There were four primary games: the Isthmian, Nemean, Pythian, and the Olympian • Our modern Olympics are based upon these games • These games were still very popular in the first century (Stadiums built) An athlete provides an excellent example of the kind of commitment Jesus requires from His disciples: Run to Win! Run To Win!

4. An Athlete Must Commit To Rigorous Training • To be an athlete requires great commitment • To win the crown, athletes committed to train for a year in order to qualify. I Cor. 9:24-27 24. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27. but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. • 9:25: “Self-Control” (KJV: “Temperate”) • G1467: egkrateuomai: to exhibit self-government, conduct, one’s self temperately, absolute self-control. • 9:27: “Discipline” (KJV: “Buffet”) • G5299: hupōpiazō: a word that literally meant to give someone a black eye; to beat black and blue, to smite to cause bruises. Run To Win! To be Christ’s disciple requires great commitment

5. An Athlete Must Commit To Exercise I Tim. 4:7-8 7. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8. for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. • “Exercise” (ESV: “Train”): gumnazo (G1128): • To exercise naked; to exercise vigorously, in any way (lit. or fig.), either the body or the mind (Thayer). • Disciples are to be committed to: • Obeying The Truth (Gal. 5:7) • Praying(Rom. 15:30; Col. 4:12) • Defending The Word Of God (Heb. 5:12-14; Jude 3) • Spreading The Gospel (Rom. 15:20; Phil. 4:3; Col. 1:29) • Helping Other Christians (Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16) • Willing To Suffer For The Gospel (Heb. 10:32-39) • Finishing The Course (Lk. 13:24; II Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 2:10) Saints must commit to exercise towards godliness for its reward is everlasting!! Run To Win!

6. An Athlete Must Commit To Compete By The Rules • Contestants trained under very strict rules & supervision • If a contestant failed to follow these rules, he was disqualified from the games! II Tim. 2:5 5. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. • Once an athlete was in the games, he had to • compete according to the rules! • Lk. 14:26-27: Self-denial and counting the cost • Mk. 16:16: Baptized to be saved • Saints know the rules by studying (KJV – II Tim. 2:15) If an athlete broke the rules, he was not only denied the crown, but was sometimes disgraced and punished We must run the race according to the rules in order to win the crown! (Mt. 7:21-23) Run To Win!

7. Conclusion Heb. 12:1 1. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, An Athlete Must Run To Win! (Entering the race doesn’t mean the athlete won it) • I Cor. 9:24, 26: “Run in such a way as to • win” and to do that we run with purpose! • Paul was not distracted by entanglements – he looked unto Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2), set his mind on the things above (Col. 3:1-2), and pressed toward the goal • (Phil. 3:12-14). Run To Win!

8. Conclusion We are to exercise ourselves to godliness, run lawfully, remove every hindrance, and run with endurance in order to win! Only those who have the commitment of an athlete will win the imperishable crown of life! Run To Win!

9. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)