Sunday, October 17, 2010 pm
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS (30)
Running for the Prize
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
In our context, Paul is making analogy to sporting games which
were very popular in the Roman Empire.
The Isthmian games were performed every two years in Corinth.
Some sources say that attendance at these games outnumbered those
of the Olympiad. Some of the
events of the games included races, chariot races, javelin, wrestling
and Pankration (a combination of boxing and wrestling).
The crown was a wreath of either celery leaves or pine (See
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, p 567).
Paul was probably in Corinth during the time of one of these
contests. Either way, our
text is very likely a reference to these games.
In our text we want to notice four things that Paul appeals to
concerning these games – the prize temperance, the hope and the need for
exercise.
a.
In our
text Paul makes comparisons and contrasts to actual events.
Here he notes that when one runs a race, he runs to win.
In a typical race there is only ONE winner of the prize.
In case of the Corinthian games, it was a wreath that wilted and
easily perished.
b.
We need to
run to obtain the prize.
i.
We need
to RUN (not walk).
While other passages speak of our walk, here the reference is to
running. The point being we
put forth great effort to win.
As Christians we do not casually stroll down the path of life.
Phil. 3:12-14 Paul said that he pressed on toward the goal.
Phil. 2:12 tells us to work out our own salvation.
ii.
There
IS prize – eternal life in
heaven. Unlike the prize of
the games, it is everlasting (cf. 9:25).
Paul made reference to this at the end of his life – 2 Tim. 4:7-8,
Phil. 3:14, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus.” Heb.
12:1-2. James 1 refers to it
as “the crown of life.”
iii.
We run
WITH one another – it is not
about getting there alone!
IN CONTRAST to the Corinthian games, we are not out to beat everyone
else. We want to win and we
want as many as possible to win with us.
We work together – 1 Cor. 12:12, Eph. 4:16, Gal. 6:2
II.
The need for temperance (25)
a.
Paul
observes the disciplined lives of athletes.
I suspect that that athletes of the Corinthian games were the
best of the best, similar to athletes in our top competitions.
A part of being the best is self-control and discipline.
Both are mentioned in this context.
While preparing for competitions, it is imperative that one
exercise complete self-control in everything – what they eat, how much
they practice, where they go, etc.
It’s a part of giving yourself the best chance to win.
b.
As
Christians, we too need to be temperate in all things.
The Bible is clear about the need for self-control in our lives.
i.
I suspect
this was one of the problems some of the Corinthians were struggling
with.
ii.
Gal 5:23
calls for self-control
iii.
2 Peter
1:6 – a part of the “Christian graces”
iv.
Prov.
16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who
rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
c.
We need to
be temperate “in all things” –
i.
1 Tim.
4:12 – serves as a good example of “all things”.
“Be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,
in purity. Till I come, give
attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…”
ii.
There is
proper worship including the study of God’s word, prayer, assembling
with the saints, etc.
iii.
There is
concern for others – do we give ourselves time to reach the lost and
build up the saved, our brethren?
iv.
There are
the many things we are to avoid as Christians – Ephesians 4:31 says,
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
v.
How many
problems can be avoided or resolved if we would just learn to apply this
rule in our lives.
III.
The hope (26)
a.
Being
again reminded that Paul had a goal he was reaching for, here we read
that he did not run with doubt (uncertainty) or simply fighting for an
empty promise. Paul TRULY
believed there was something better waiting for him that made what he
endured worth it.
b.
Most of us
would readily admit that we believe in heaven.
And we HOPE to go there one day.
But how sure are we of that hope?
How confident are we that if we were to die that is where we
would end up? Christians need to live with hope.
i.
Paul had
this great confidence that we need – 2 Tim. 1:12 where he said, “I
know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what
I have committed to Him until that day.”
ii.
2
Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know
that if our earthly house, this tent is destroyed, we have a building
form God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…”
iii.
Heb.
6:9-12 describes our confidence in God to take care of us.
Later in vs. 19 we read, “This
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and
which enters the Presence behind the veil…”
iv.
2 Peter
1:10 speaks of making our call and election sure.
c.
Our
confidence DEPENDS upon whether or not we are properly running this
race. Before moving on,
consider 2 Tim. 2:5 where Paul is speaking of endurance.
He notes, “And also if
anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes
according to the rules.”
Friends if you to run this race with certainty, you better PROPERLY
enter the race and you better KNOW the rules (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
IV.
Endurance (27) – Phil. 2:16, 2 Cor. 13:5-6
a.
Paul again
in this verse makes reference to the training regiment of an athlete.
Associated with self-control would be the stringent exercises
that build you up to optimal condition.
b.
Paul said,
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.”
The KJV says, “But I keep under my body and bring it into
subjection” The ASV says,
“But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage.”
The word for discipline means, “to strike with clenched hands, to buffet
with the fist.” (Vine’s)
Others note the word describes a blow to the face just under the eyes.
As I understand this, it was a boxing term that described one
preparing for a great fight.
He beats himself up to prepare himself to be beat upon in the match.
NOW, Paul is not speaking of self-mutilation here, nor is he saying that
he literally punched himself in the face.
His point is that he put himself to the test on a regular basis
to build himself up so that he will not fail at his task.
c.
It has
been said that one of the best ways to learn self-control is to force
yourself to do something you don’t want to do or like.
In so doing, you are mastering you will which brings you under
control. We could all use a
little of that attitude.
1 Cor. 6:12-13 notes that while things may be lawful, they are not
necessarily best for us. Do
not let ANYTHING control you.
1 Cor. 8:13, Paul said that he would never again eat meat if it made his
brother stumble.
d.
Why do we
need such a disposition?
Paul gave the answer in this verse – “lest when I have preached to
others, I myself should
become disqualified.” Paul
did not want ANYTHING to stand in the way of his eternal reward.
In this statement we learn:
i.
We CAN
lose our reward – The actual
word for “disqualified” or “be a castaway” is a word that means to be
reprobate or useless.
Worthless or rejected. Paul
is NOT describing a condition consistent with one who has hope of
heaven. We need to
continually remind ourselves that we have to remain faithful.
Rev. 2:10 – “be faithful until death…”
Phil. 2:16 says that we need to hold fast to the word of life, “so
that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or
labored in vain.”
2 Cor. 13:5-6 challenges us, “Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.
Test yourselves. Do
you no know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you
are disqualified. But I
trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.”
ii.
Whether
or not we receive our reward is entirely up to us. Notice that in our text, Paul
has continually appealed to OUR conduct.
We must act to secure our salvation.
The term “faith” involves so much more than mere belief.
It means that we respond to what we believe in with action (Jas.
2:18).
Phil. 2:12 tells us to work out our own salvation…”
Again Paul spoke to Timothy telling him 1 Tim. 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.
CONTINUE in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself
and those who hear you.”
Hebrews 12:1 also makes analogy to our race.
It notes that we need to “lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
It is up to US to cast off those weights, etc.
So I ask, what am I doing to ensure that I am ready to stand before God?
And thus we can see Paul’s encouragement to these brethren.
He is writing to brethren who are sinning and need to repent.
They have improperly magnified Paul and he has “put them in their
place” noting that he is just a servant.
He has explained the humility of his work and now even with all
that he has done for them and others, he warns them that even he must
continue on the right path, lest he lose his eternal reward.
What a warning!
When I read of Paul I see
a godly example that fully understands what it means to serve Christ.
And he not only taught it but he lived it.
If Paul could lose his reward, where does that leave us?
May we resolve to run our race with the same diligence that Paul
demonstrated AND demanded.
And let us run it together!
Think about it.