Series: Running To Win
Get In The Race
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Today I am beginning a sermon series that will probably last 6 weeks.
In case you could not guess from the backdrop, it is entitled RUNNING TO WIN
It is based on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ((Read))
Today we are focusing on verse 24 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
This passage is written with the backdrop of the Isthmian games - the equivalent of our Olympics.
This event was held every two years ten miles outside the city of Corinth.
These games brought people from every part of the Mediterranean to compete or just watch.
It was the sporting event of the year - drawing the empire’s best talent.
Athletes would compete in foot races, broad jumping, discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, and equestrian contests.
They would compete fiercely, each striving for the Isthmian crown - a wreath of wild celery.
Winners received a lifetime exemption from paying taxes and serving in the military.
They would also receive free tuition at one of their universities.
Statutes of themselves would be erected along the road that led to the site of the games.
What is the first, primary, most important step in winning a race?
Training preparation
COMMITMENT
Commitment precedes training
Commitment precedes preparation
Commitment is the mental step that must precede any physical step.
If you have ever ran or jogged (or other exercise) you know there are days when you can hardly wait to exercise. But there are other days when it is all you can do to make yourself exercise.
On those days… it takes commitment… commitment precedes training
First step in a diet = commitment…….. precedes training
Paul said, “Run in such a way as to win”… run like you mean it… run with commitment… focus… dedication… discipline…purpose… persistence
If you ever go to a race you can tell which ones are running like they plan to win.
I think of the “rabbits” In any race there are runners who already know they will not win. They are not even in the race to win. Their job is to set a certain pace for the other runners. They will run about the first half of the race at a pre-determined pace to help the true contenders. They may get far ahead, but they eventually drop out before the end… spent, used up… but having done their job.
If they really meant to win, they would not have gone out so fast, they would have paced themselves.
They are not running to win… they are running to help teammates win.
When you go to a race and see the spectators that line the course and the runners on the course… what is the difference between the runners and the spectators?
Ability? Yes
Training? Yes
Desire? Yes
COMMITMENT Yes
But in the Christian Race… the Christian life
Ability? NO I can do all things…
Training? NO
Desire? NO
Commitment NO
In the Christian life…
Some are out there running, living for Jesus, keeping His commands, following the disciplines (bible study, prayer, ministry, sacrificing) and living a life that is pleasing to God.
And some are giving it a token effort
While others are not even trying, they are standing and watching.
If you ask the watchers if they would like to run the race… many would say Yes
If you ask overweight people if they would like to lose weight… many will say Yes
Sooooo….. Why don’t watchers run or overweight people diet?
Lack of Desire? NO
COMMITMENT !!
Desire is easy… desire costs nothing
Commitment is hard… it costs everything
There is a massive difference between being involved and being committed.
Chicken and pig having bacon and eggs
“For you it means a contribution, but for me it means total commitment”
Lots of Christians want to be chickens… make a contribution
God is looking for pigs… totally committed
T-shirt at ATF “You are what you resolve to do”
Lots of Christians have times when they look at the “runners” and they say, “I would really like to be like that.”
And sometimes they make a commitment… and even start.
Like person committing to run or lift.
The next day they hurt like the devil and their commitment fades like dew.
This happens a few times and the person just concedes defeat.
So they run… but not in such a way as to win.
They are content to be in the race
OK for Boston marathon… I’d be content to finish
NOT OK for Christianity
What do I miss out on if I don’t win the marathon?
What do I miss out on if I don’t win the Christian race?
What is commitment?
February 15, 1921. New York City. The operating room of the Kane Summit Hospital. A doctor is performing an appendectomy. In many ways the events leading to the surgery are uneventful. The patient has complained of severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis is clear: an inflamed appendix. Dr. Evan O’Neill Kane is performing the surgery. In his distinguished thirty-seven-year medical career, he has performed nearly four thousand appendectomies, so this surgery will be uneventful in all ways except two.
The first novelty of this operation? The use of local anesthesia in major surgery. Dr. Kane is a crusader against the hazards of general anesthesia. He contends that a local application is far safer. Many of his colleagues agree with him in principle, but in order for them to agree in practice, they will have to see the theory applied.
Dr. Kane searches for a volunteer, a patient who is willing to undergo surgery wile under local anesthesia. A volunteer is not easily found. Many are squeamish at the thought of being awake during their own surgery. Others are fearful that the anesthesia might wear off too soon. Eventually, however, Dr. Kane finds a candidate. On Tuesday morning, February 15, the historic operation occurs.
The patient is prepped and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic is applied. As he has done thousands of times, Dr. Kane dissects the superficial tissues and locates the appendix. He skillfully excises it and concludes the surgery. During the procedure, the patient complains of only minor discomfort. The volunteer is taken into post-op, then placed in a hospital ward. He recovers quickly and is dismissed two days later. Dr. Kane had proven his theory. Thanks to the willingness of a brave volunteer, Kane demonstrated that local anesthesia was a viable, and even preferable, alternative.
But I said there were two facts that made the surgery unique. I’ve told you the first: the use of local anesthesia. The second is the patient. The courageous candidate for surgery by Dr. Kane was Dr. Kane.
To prove his point, Dr. Kane operated on himself! A wise move. The doctor became a patient in order to convince the patients to trust the doctor.
When I talk about commitment… whom do you think about?
Jesus sets the example for us to follow in our commitment.
1. Jesus was committed to go where He was not wanted
2. Jesus was committed to suffer for a people who rejected Him
3. Jesus was committed to die for a lost world
4. Jesus was committed to the ultimate victory
Daniel – praying with his windows open
Signing his own death warrant
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The last paragraph of the declaration of independence reads…
“And for the support of this Declaration, we mutually pledge to each other, our Lives, our Fortunes, our sacred Honor.”
For the next few weeks we’re going to talk about running the race… running to win.
I believe that in this room we have some people who are running the race.
They are truly living a life that is pleasing to God
USE DISCIPLES CROSS
They are abiding in Christ
Spending time in His Word
Praying in Faith
Fellowshipping with other Christians
Witnessing to the world
Ministering
But there are many others here who REALLY WANT TO
They know they are not doing it….
Either…They are running… but not “in such a way as to receive the prize.”
Or… they are just spectators… who don’t really give RUNNING any thought except when they come to church and hear the coach (ME) giving a pep talk (sermon) about being committed and faithful.
Then they feel convicted and even encouraged… but they leave this building filled with guilt or good intentions
BUT MAKE NO COMMITMENT
And they don’t follow through on their good intentions
They flounder along… as Rabbits
Or chickens
Or spectators
And that cycle goes on until one day they get so dis-satisfied… so uncomfortable… that they break the cycle… and commit
I will be preaching for a few weeks about Running In Such A Way As to WIN
There are several things involved
But none is more important than this one
COMMITMENT
Committing you life to RUNNING TO WIN
Some of you are tired of floundering
You are tired of failing
You really want to be a winner
Today is the day to take the first step
COMMIT YOURSELF TO RUN
