WHAT DID PAUL MEAN WHEN HE SAID, “SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN”?
(1 Corinthians
9:24-27) [24]Know
ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So
run, that ye may obtain.
[25]And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
[26]I therefore so run, not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
[27]But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Paul explained first that every individual Christian is in a
spiritual race.
2. Paul gave serious encouragement to all spiritual athletes to run so that we may obtain.
3. My question is what Paul said Christians need to obtain when they run
in a spiritual race.
1. WHEN CHRISTIAN RUN IS IN A SPIRITUAL RACE, YOU WILL
OBTAIN THE GOAL OF CHRISTIANS THE MATURITY IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
(Ephesians 4:13-15) [13]Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14]That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;
[15]But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2. WHEN CHRISTIAN IS IN A SPIRITUAL RACE, YOU'LL DEFEND
YOUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH TO JESUS CHRIST ALONE.
( Philippians 4:13 )
I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
3. WHEN CHRISTIAN IS IN A SPIRITUAL RACE, THEY PRACTICE TO
LIVE BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT.
( 2 Corinthians 5:7
) (For we
walk by faith, not by sight:)
( Hebrews 11:6-8 ) [6]But without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
[7]By faith Noah, being warned of
God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving
of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
[8]By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
4. WHEN CHRISTIAN IS IN A SPIRITUAL RACE, WE CHOOSE
CHRIST TO BE THE CENTER OF OUR LIFE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
( Ephesians 3:16-21
) [16]That
he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
[17]That Christ may dwell in your
hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
[18]May be able to comprehend with
all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
[19]And to know the love of
Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness
of God.
[20]Now unto him that is able to
do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us,
[21]Unto him be glory in the
church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
5. WHEN CHRISTIAN IS IN A SPIRITUAL RACE, WE LEARNED TO
LOOK UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND THE FINISHER OF OUR FAITH TO GOD.
( Hebrews 12: 1-2 ) [1]Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us,
[2]Looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God.
* To God be the glory*. "
(1 Corinthians
9:24-27) [24]Know
ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So
run, that ye may obtain.
[25]And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
[26]I therefore so run, not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
[27]But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway.
* God bless you all always. *
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