Series: Action [#85]
A LETTER OF CONCERN-
HOW TO BE A CHAMPION
1 Corinthians 9:15-27
Introduction:
Every 2 years, there is the Olympic Games- Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics. Karen and I enjoy watching many of the sports in the Olympics and Paralympics. Of course, we have our favorites; but we watch some sports that you only see every 4 years. Since Tharon competed in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, I watch the Games differently. Being a part of that as a Parent is unbelievable. What people don’t realize is the amount of training it takes to get there. The times that Karen and I went to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, we noticed how competitive the Athletes were. Whether it was disabled or abled body Athletes, it did not matter. They gave their entire life to training, dieting, mental health, etc…
What would happen to this World if Christians trained like this spiritually? Can you imagine a World where people are more concerned about others spiritually than themselves? In our text this morning, we are going to learn how to be a champion for the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 9:15-18
To be a champion…
1. Fulfill your call.
When we watch these different sports, I sometimes think that I could be really good at some of these sports. In the Winter Olympics, I’m pretty sure I would be really good at Curling; and I probably could be a good bobsledder also. Guess what? I obviously am not participating in any of those sports. Athletes at a high level compete at what they are good at and what they train for.
You fulfill your call by…
* Having the right motive.
Paul could have told the Corinthian Church to financially support him; but he did not. His motive was to bring people to salvation in Christ and to see Christians mature.
You fulfill your call by…
* Being a good steward.
Stewardship is not just about money. Stewardship is about how you take care of something that is not yours. Paul had to preach because that is what God had called him to do. He was “discharging the trust committed to him”.
You fulfill your call by…
* Giving 100%.
Notice, Paul was not making full use of his right to being paid to preach; but he was making full use of his calling. He preached the Gospel as if he was making a million dollars. He gave of all of himself to the preaching of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
To be a champion…
2. Think about others before yourself.
You may wonder how this applies to high-level athletes- Most high-level athletes, become coaches and trainers. Why? Because they know what it takes. Tharon is a great Swimming Coach because he knows what it takes to get to that high level.
You consider others over yourself by…
* Giving up your freedom.
It is like Paul said, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible”. The day that you are more concerned about other’s spiritual well-being than your own is the day that you will begin to be a champion for the Kingdom of God.
You consider others over yourself by…
* Becoming all things to all people.
This statement is often abused. This does not mean to excuse sinful behavior. This means to do things that allow others to trust you enough that you can minister to them.
You consider others over yourself by…
* Not forgetting your purpose.
Your purpose as a Christian is to not be the best at your job- It is to bring people to Jesus. The Christian life is not about you; but about others.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
To be a champion…
3. Train for victory.
The Greeks had 2 great athletic contests- The Olympic games and the Isthmian games. The Isthmian games were held at Corinth and so the people there were very familiar with this competition.
You train…
* To win.
No one trains this hard for so long without intending to win. I still will never forget what Tharon said after winning a Silver Medal in Rio- I told him how proud of him I was, and he said, “It’s not gold”. The big difference between those races and the race that Christians are in, is that every Christian who will pay the price of careful training can win. We do not compete against each other; but against the obstacles that could hinder us.
You train…
* Strictly.
Contestants in the games had to prove that they had trained strictly for 10 months. The last month was spent at Corinth, with supervised daily workouts. They trained to win a wreath crown- Christians train for heavenly crowns to cast at the feet of Jesus.
You train…
* To not get disqualified.
A contestant who failed to meet the training requirements was disqualified. He could not even run, much less win. Paul did not want to spend his life preaching the requirements to others and then be disqualified for not meeting the requirements himself.
Conclusion:
Are you training to win? Mediocrity is the enemy of Christians. We wonder why it seems like Christians are always losing battles- It is because we are not fulfilling our call, we are selfish, and we are not training to win.
