Three Keys To Winning Your Race

1. Three Keys To Winning Your Race 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

2. 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.

3. Paul tells us how to be winners.

4. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

5. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

6. Proceed – Get Going • 1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” • “All the runners run” • In order to run the race we must first begin.

7. Proceed – Get Going • The great Nike slogan fits here – “Just Do It.” There is no way to win a race if you aren’t running. To win the race requires that you get in the race. We cannot serve God from the starting blocks. • We cannot expect god to say “well done” if we will not do well. Get in the race!

8. 2. Pursue – Keep Moving (Intentionality) • vs. 24 -Run in such a way as to get the prize. • This race isn’t over until we cross the finish line. • If we want to win the prize we must pursue excellence in everything that we do.

9. 2. Pursue – Keep Moving (Intentionality) • Paul is telling us that we cannot settle to watch from the sidelines, but that we must be involved. • We must be willing to take action • We must be willing to change our attitude • We must be willing to keep moving – even when we feel like giving up

10. 2. Pursue – Keep Moving (Intentionality) • The value of the prize was not monetary but symbolic. • The prize for Paul was a sense of satisfaction that God was using him in ministry. • Philippians 3:14 - “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

11. 2. Pursue – Keep Moving (Intentionality) • The value of the prize was not monetary but symbolic. • The prize for Paul was a sense of satisfaction that God was using him in ministry. • Philippians 3:14 - “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” • We run to receive a crown of righteousness. • It is not a crown of riches, but a crown that will carry a message to all who see it.

12. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • vs.25 - And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. An athlete who wants to win goes into strict training. • Temperate/ self-control - this gives the idea of inner strength (strength not to indulge or act on impulse). • The word ‘compete’ that he uses is the Greek word for agony. It points to the tremendous effort that was put forth to win.

13. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • Although the presence of our self-control is from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), the practice of our self-control is our responsibility (2 Peter 1:4-7). • The point here is having a strong control of our appetites and passions. • If we want to win, we must prepare. We need spiritual workouts – time in prayer, time in the Word, time in worship

14. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • “The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.” – Benjamin Disraeli. • The key is “self-discipline.”

15. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • In the Greek games - only one received the prize. But for the Christian - the prize is available to all who run the disciplined race. • Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

16. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • In the Greek games - only one received the prize. But for the Christian - the prize is available to all who run the disciplined race. • Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

17. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • Heb12:1 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

18. 3. Prepare – Get Ready • Rev 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (NKJ) • In 1976 the University of Indiana won NCAA National Title. When interviewed about their success, coach Knight said, “the will to succeed is important but what is more important is the will to prepare.”

19. Three Keys To Winning Your Race 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Bishop Flynn Johnson Atlanta Metro Cathedral