Qualify For The Prize

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you qualified for the LORD?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To remind believers to qualify for the prize

IV. TEXT:

1 Corinthians 9:27 (Amplified Bible)

But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

1 Corinthians 9:27 (New King James Version)

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

V. THESIS:

Qualify for the prize.

VI. TITLE:

Qualify for the prize

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 56 A.D.

C. Place written: Ephesus

D. Purpose: To purify the church from divisions and immorality.

E. To whom written: Corinthian church

F. Main theme: Unified and pure living, in the midst of an impure world.

G. Keyword: love

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Discipline the body

"But I discipline my body"

Bring the body into subjection. We are not the body, we are spirit-being that lives in a body. The body is our temporary dwelling "tent". Understand it's weaknesses, and strengthen it's strength.

Diet and exercise both left alone won't work, we need both to be health. GOD will do His part of giving us His Divine Health, but we need as a partner of GOD, to live a healthy lifestyle. Throw out the junk food, make it a habit to exercise. I exercise 1 hour and 45 minutes everyday except on Saturdays and Sundays, I eat camote for the rest of the day. I no longer eat rice, when given a meal, I only eat what goes with the rice, but the rice, I return it. I no longer drink coffee, softdrinks, I only drink water. The body have to follow my orders. That's what I like for it.

I don't have any vices except to read GOD's Words. I still can wear formal attires that I have worn during my prom days, that's the amazing benefits of these habits.

1. Keep our bodies in check

James 3:2 (New International Version)

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

2. Exercise self-control - not all food on the plate is for you to consume

1 Corinthians 9:25 (New Revised Standard Version)

Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

3. Body exercises profits us a little - daily habitual exercises

1 Timothy 4:8 (New King James Version)

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

4. Take care not to take anything that will destroy the body. The body is an instrument of GOD to glorify Himself. A couch potato can't do it.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (New King James Version)

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

B. Bring the body into subjection

"and bring it into subjection"

1. The body is not slave of it's appetite but the appetites of the body are slaves of the body.

Examples: both food and sex are slaves of the body not the other way around.

1 Corinthians 6:13 (Amplified Bible)

Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [o save, sanctify, and raise it again].

2. Subject the body into hard work for the LORD

1 Corinthians 15:58 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

The body has to do superior, excellent, doing more than enough in the service of the LORD, all requires a physical body, when you are serving the LORD, make it strong for the LORD GOD's use in His vineyard. When you give your body to vices and habits that don't glorify the LORD GOD, it's wasted and amounts to no purpose.