In chapters 8 and 9, Paul has been discussing the freedoms that Christians have.
Chapter 8 dealt with the issue of eating meat that had been sacrificed to pagan gods.
Were the Christians in Corinth free to eat such meat?
Some said no, that it would involve them with ungodly religion.
Others said yes, they were free to eat that meat, since there was only one true god, and that wouldn’t involve them with pagan practices.
The problem was that some felt free to eat, others did not, but were offended in their consciences.
Paul instructed them that the most important thing was loving one another.
Some of them seemingly wanted to assert their rights and practice their freedoms.
They seemed only to care for themselves and what they thought their rights were.
Paul rebuked them.
He said their freedoms not only stumbled their brothers, but that in sinning against their brothers, they sinned against Jesus.
See 1 Cor. 8:11-13
In Chapter 9, Paul presented his own life as an example.
He had many rights as an apostle, but denied himself his rights in order to further the work of God.
If their were things in his life that hindered his work for Jesus, he rejected them.
They did not have to be sinful things.
Paul avoided even proper things, if in any way they hindered his service to God.
He made himself flexible to every situation, but never compromised the truths of God.
See 1 Cor. 9:12
Paul spends the better part of two chapters in convincing them the appropriateness of denying their rights in order to further the work of Jesus Christ.
Now Paul goes even further…
Not only was denying yourself appropriate in furthering the gospel.
Denying yourself was also a safeguard against falling into sin.
Paul was very concerned in keeping himself useable to serve Jesus Christ.
He did not want to be ineffective and disqualify himself from being a fit servant for God.
He didn’t want to bring shame upon his life.
He didn’t want his witness for Jesus to lose it’s power.
He lived in such a way as to keep himself spiritually fit and in top spiritual condition.
He says that proper self denial would keep him from being disqualified in his service to God.
Paul has gone from the lesser to the greater argument.
His earlier concern simply answered their questions about what they could be allowed to do in their lives.
The Corinthians has asked, “How much can I do and still be a Christian”?
Paul said, “Do all you can to be the best Christian you can”.
Paul sets the bar higher.
He goes on to give stronger reasons for self-restraint.
Just being a “Corinthian Christian” was not enough for Paul.
Paul showed them the call to the higher Christian life.
Being sold out for Jesus.
Not being restrained from outside of oneself, but restrained from within.
Being restrained by a deep desire to bring glory to God.
I. Life Is A Race 9:24
A. Temporal
Every race has a beginning and an end.
Psa 39:4 “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.
Psa 39:5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
Psa 39:6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
Psa 62:9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
Psa 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years– or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
II. Life Has A Purpose
Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
The true purpose of man is to live for God, enjoy fellowship with God, and bring glory to God through a person’s life.
A. Earthly Minded Prize (The Non-Christian)
Psa 39:6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.
1. The earthly minded man tries to satisfy himself with the temporary riches and pleasures of this world.
2. Power, youth, romance, thrillseeking, adventure, building kingdoms.
Prov 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,…
3. The things of this world are all temporary.
Luke 12:19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘
Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
4. They cannot satisfy the heart of man.
B. The Unsaved Man or Woman Misses The Purpose Of Their Existence
Psa 39:6 Surely they busy themselves in vain;
C. The Carnal Minded Prize (The Carnal Christian)
1. Wants heaven, but loves this earth too.
2. Has right theology, but doesn’t fully commit himself to Christ.
3. Divided heart.
4. Wants the joys of both heaven and earth, but never really fully enjoys either.
5. Loves Jesus enough to be uncomfortable in the world.
6. Loves the world too much to be comfortable with Jesus, Christians, and church.
7. Is lazy for Christ, desires the blessed life, but never knows that life.
8. Their race is run with uncertainty, lack of direction, lack of purpose, and not much progress is made, if any.
9. Not much to show for their Christian life.
10. Seeks the best of both heaven and earth, and has no satisfaction with either one.
11. The carnal Christian isn’t happy b/c God made us to know him and love him.
The carnal Christian is out of fellowship with God.
They don’t have the love of the Father in their hearts.
They are in a miserable “no-man’s land”.
D. Heavenly Minded Prize (The Spirit-Filled Christian)
1. Here and now
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness and self-control.
2. Then and there
Mat 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
III. How Shall We Live?
A. Realize The Brevity Of Life (Life Is A Race) 9:24
Psa 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
B. Self Discipline Is Needed
Not the self discipline of someone who feels they can’t do certain things.
Rather the self-discipline of someone who will not do certain things.
The man or woman who takes every precaution to keep themselves spiritual fit and effective for God.
Not just one who lives restrained by the letter of the law.
Someone who is careful with their life according to the spirit of the law.
A person is led by the Holy Spirit, not restrained by an external source.
A runner has to want to win, in order to win.
It’s not enough to be satisfied to just be in the race.
There is a passion that is needed to be victorious.
There is a single focus that is needed.
There needs to be direction.
1 Cor 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.
There needs to be focus.
1 Cor 9:26 Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
C. The Christian’s Prize Is Eternal 9:25
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
D. Paul Tries Hard To Avoid being Disqualified 9:27
This does not speak of losing one’s salvation.
This speaks of being found not useful to God.
This speaks of being so careless with your life, that you are not effective for or pleasing to God.
E. What Do You Do If You Find Yourself Out Of The Race?
If your life has lost it’s witness for Jesus.
If you have given in to sin, and brought shame upon yourself.
Rev 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.
Rev 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Rev 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 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,
Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,