Discipline

"Discipline"

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

There are many people who do certain things wrong, that really have no idea they are wrong at all. Some are steered away from the gospel and have no idea it is happening. These can be called “lost sheep”. It is a tragic shame that this happens, which is why we preach and we teach and we try to spread this wonderful gospel.

Come today to say “It takes discipline to run the race “AND WIN”

The apostle Paul compares the race of life to a natural race, such as the Olympics. He lets us know that if one is going to run, even for that of a corruptible crown (gold medal) (Corinthians) it takes discipline.

It takes discipline to run any type of race and win. Which means while others are out eating pizza, and burgers, and other snacks, you are knowing exactly what you can and can’t eat. While others are out on the town with their friends and cruising around having fun, you are at home resting up and saving all energy you can.

We, the Christian people, are in the race of life. We are not competing with each other. We are competing with the clock, we are competing with demons and devils, and we are competing with the ways of this world.

In the Olympics, while they run their race, they have people in the stands watching and cheering them on. As do we. In the stands, as we run our race, Hebrews 12 says “wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” being all the apostles and saints of God. And lets not forget the Man himself, our Lord and Savior.

It also states in Hebrews 12, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Some people have their own interpretation about sin. Some say this is a sin, that is a sin, and some agree and disagree. And sometimes they may be right. It may not be a sin, BUT it may be a weight. Hebrews 12 says lay aside every weight and sin. A weight would hinder you from successfully running and winning the race. I believe the Christian people can recognize the weight and the sin, and if you can’t that is what your brothers and sisters are for and our pastors and teachers. But the deeper you are in the word, the more the Lord will clear up your vision.

So we must prepare ourselves by having a disciplined life if we really intend on winning the race.

What do you mean by disciplined life??

Well, a life that has discipline.

Discipline Definition

American Heritage Dictionary: Training that produces moral or mental improvement. Controlled behavior. A method to obtain obedience. Punishment intended to correct or train.

The Ilumina Bible Encyclopedia: Parents are warned to discipline their children, fathers to their sons, and pastors to their churches. That type of discipline is referred to as guiding and teaching and as a result comes the reward of knowledge, a forewarning of things ahead, and a form of preparation for our future.

Positive Discipline: instruction, knowledge, training

Negative Discipline: correction, punishment, reproof

Those who refuse to obey God’s laws or “positive discipline” will experience God’s negative discipline through his wrath and judgment.

A life without discipline is a life out of control.

Discipline is a way for us to become responsible, reliable, and self-motivated adults.

Discipline is giving yourself a set of rules, but the Bible does that for you.

In the beginning, God tells Adam not to eat the forbidden fruit for in that day you shall surely die. (Rule of discipline by God) Adams reaction was a disobedient one. And when the Lord called for him he had to admit he didn’t have self control yet he blamed the woman and God. God was the one that sent her to him. And the woman gave unto me and I did eat.

Like Adam, people do fail to correctly discipline themselves and then they come up with an excuse. In other words “before I admit it to you Lord, I gotta tell you why.” But it is God’s Word that says to be a man, be a woman, and take the blame for yourself. Do not convert the blame toward another. In this case it’s about admittance rather than submittance.

After admittance comes God’s punishment.

The serpent: Genesis 3:14 Thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.

Eve: Genesis 3:16 I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.