Imperishable Crown

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I. Train to win

A. Temperate in all things, 1 Corinthians 9:25

B. Temperate describes one who lives in moderation and is not given to excess

C. Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 – Do not be overly righteous or wicked

D. Dangers of overly righteous and wise

E. Constant depression about inadequacies and failures Neglect or abuse of the body in misguided effort to serve the spirit Can alienate or offend fellow Christians who do not live up to his excessive view of Christianity or greater perceived knowledge Be so enamored with one’s own opinions to assume that all other opinions must be inferior and not wisely attained“There are only two people who are doing everything exactly right; and I am worrying about you.”

F. Some will burn themselves out as Christians trying to live in a way that not even Jesus requires

G. Like the Pharisees they put hedges around the law then consider those hedges as if they were law. When we put undue pressure on ourselves, perhaps we are forgetting God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness

H. Self-discipline

I. Self-control

J. If an athlete has no self control, he will not practice consistently, eat correctly, nor condition himself to build strength and stamina. Christians must refrain from habits and activities that hinder our service to God and distract us from our goal of pleasing Him and being saved Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:23 According to 2 Peter 1:6, it is a characteristic we must have if we would be fruitful in the kingdom and assure ourselves of salvation.

K. The key to self-control is self

L. We must learn what God requires and make decisions that keep us in harmony with His will. We are responsible for controlling our own behavior and will be the only ones accountable for our souls in judgment.

M. Self-direction

N. No one has to tell the athlete to get up in the morning and go to the gym

O. The athlete does not have to be poked, prodded, or enticed into doing what must be done

P. He may give himself incentives, but it is driven from within. If he does not do what his training requires, he will fail.

Q. Likewise, Christians should naturally respond to God’s call to service as soldier’s in God’s service (from email I Am A Soldier by unknown)

R. One should not have to cajole, beg, or plead Christians to serve We should exhort one another but a Christian must not wait to be prodded, pumped up, pepped up, or petted in order to serve. A Christian needs comfort in a time of need, but Christians should not always need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to in order for them to remain faithful to God.“I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.”

S. Self-control and self-direction means that we cannot blame others if we are having trouble being faithful to God and should not wait to be asked to work.

T. An intemperate and undisciplined person will be disqualified.

II. Compete according to the rules

A. 2 Timothy 2:5

B. We do not make the rules but we must obey them

C. The athlete does not make the rules but must learn them and observe them God’s kingdom is not a democracy—God gave the laws, we must obey them

D. James 2:10 – Those who change the rules to suit their “game” will lose

E. We cannot pick which rules we want to obey and dismiss others as if we were at a buffet. All of God’s laws are given with love for a purpose and we must obey them, whether we understand that purpose or not.

F. Judges determine if competitors adhere to the rules

G. Athletes must please the judges, who know the rules, in order to get a good score; doesn’t matter how nice the athlete is, etc., judged by the rules Revelation 20:12 - We will stand before the Judge who will open up the rule books and examine the way in which we competed. Romans 2:6-11 – render according to deeds

H. One who does not follow God’s law will be disqualified

I. Judges disqualify athletes who cheat or break the rules

J. We can be “disqualified for every good work” and condemned

K. Titus 1:16 – Some who profess to know God will be disqualified2 Corinthians 13:5-6 – We must examine ourselves

III. Compete to win, 1 Corinthians 9:24

A. Sustained intensity and effort are required to win athletic events

B. The Christian must not give up until he finishes his work on earth

C. Luke 13:24 – Strive to enter the narrow gate; many race but not all will win Hebrews 12:1-2 – Lay aside anything that will slow you down2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – wearied but not destroyed

D. If we do not compete to win, we will lose

IV. Our imperishable crown

A. Athletes of Paul’s day competed to win a crown of dying leaves

B. God will award the faithful an eternal crown when they die

C. Revelation 2:10 – Faithful unto death…Philippians 3:12-14 – Press on to the reward that awaits me Revelation 3:11/Hebrews 10:35-36 – Don’t lose it by giving up

V. Conclusion: Summary. How are you competing? Are you even in the race?