Run the Race
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
January 14, 2001
Introduction
I. The Olympics
A. Some of my favorite moments: First Dream Team Men’s Basketball, The lighting of the torch in 1996
B. Michael Johnson in 1996
1. The time trials prior to the games – Johnson broke the world record in the 200 meter dash
2. The actual race – A few weeks later at the Olympics Johnson broke his own record by nearly two seconds
II. The Human Race
A. We too are in a race
1. We are running the human race
a.) Life is like a race – Our participation is required
b.) We are constantly moving towards the finish line
2. All of us are headed in the same direction with the same destination
a.) Our race is not a quick 200 meter dash but rather a life long marathon
b.) Are we ready to run it?
B. Paul challenges the Corinthian church to run the race
1. Paul issues a strong challenge to the church 1 Corinthains 9:24-27
2. We must run the race
Seven Keys to Run the Race
I. Proceed – Get going
V. 24 – “All the runners run”
A. In order to run the race we must first begin
1. The great Nike slogan fits here – “Just Do It”
2. To be in the race makes us get going. There is no way to win a race if you aren’t running
B. To win the race requires starting
1. Paul states the obvious with the statement “all runners run” but it is a good reminder. We cannot serve God from the starting blocks
2. Winning starts with daring to begin. It is impossible to victorious without doing
3. We cannot expect God to say “well done” if we will not first “well do”
II. Pursue – Keep moving
V. 24 -Run in such a way as to get the prize
A. If we want to achieve we must pursue goals
1. We must understand that this race isn’t over until we cross the finish line
2. Once we start in the race we cannot stop
B. To win the race requires excellence
1. There is a clear challenge here by Paul to for Christians to fully commit and invest themselves in the service of Christ
2. If we want to win the prize we must pursue excellence in everything that we do
3. Paul’s call tells us we cannot settle to watch from the sidelines but that we must be involved
a.) We must be willing to take action
b.) We must be willing to change our attitude
III. Prepare – Get ready
V. 25 – “goes into strict training”
A. If we want to win, we must prepare
1. Life is full of unexpected events and we must be ready at a moments notice
2. Cross country practice – 1 mile warm up, 5 – 7 mile workout and 1 mile cool down each practice so we were running between 7 – 9 miles every practice
3. The same is true of Christianity. We need spiritual workouts – Time in prayer, time in the Word, time in worship
B. To win the race requires that we are ready
1. We must be in a state of constant readiness
a.) We must be ready when God calls us to serve
b.) We must be ready for when we cross the finish line
2. The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes – Benjamin Disraeli
IV. Perceive – Get focused
V. 25 - “but we do it to get a crown that will last forever”
A. If we want to run the race we must know where we are going
1. Our finish line is heaven. Heaven is our goal and we must be heavenly minded
2. You all have heard the phrase “So heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” I hate this saying with a passion
a.) Being heavenly minded isn’t a focus on us getting to heaven. This is just selfishness. These kind of people are not heavenly minded
b.) Being heavenly minded means that we are about the business of heaven. Meaning that we win the lost, build disciples and expand the Kingdom. Thus we must be active in the world
B. To win the race requires us to be focused
1. Paul clearly shares some truth about our eternal reward
a.) This will be issued to us in heaven
b.) This will grant us a crown of life
2. The prize we seek is not temporal or earthly
a.) The things of earth will pass away
b.) Our focus is to be that which will remain – the eternal reality of heaven
V. Purpose – Get energized
V. “do not run like a man running aimlessly”
A. If we want to win in life we must strive towards our purpose
1. A life without purpose is like a race without a finish line
2. Understanding the need for purpose is easy. Defining purpose is difficult
B. To win the race requires knowing our purpose
1. Paul tells the Corinthian church that they are to run this race with divine aims and purposes
2. We are to move through life with purpose and direction. When we know our purpose in life it creates energy for us
3. If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is – Peace Corps Commercial
VI. Produce – Get fruitful
V. 26 – “do not fight like a man beating the air”
A. If our race is to be successful we must be fruitful
1. In running a race there cannot be a lack of production. It is essential that we are fruitful
2. In our race productivity creates movement
B. To win the race requires us to be productive
1. Paul calls the Corinthian church away from wasted efforts. Wasted efforts will not help us make progress in the race
2. We must become productive in moving toward God and helping others move toward God
VII. Persist – Never quit
V. 27 – Therefore, I beat my body and make it my slave so that… I myself will not be disqualified for the prize
A. If we stay on course we will finish the race
1. Persistence is stuborness with a purpose
2. We must be consistent to win the race. We can never quit striving to do more and be more for God
B. To win the race requires that we never give up
1. Paul is calling Christians to remain steady no matter what the cost
2. The goal we have is heaven and we can never give up on it
3. Winston Churchill – never, never, never give up!
Conclusion
How are you running the race?
Where are you in this process?
Now is the time to press on
Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are important - Hal Sherbeck
