February 28, 2014
TRAINING TO WIN THE PRIZE
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Tyler Briggs
Central Truth
Training to receive the prize of our Lord's "well done" requires expectation, effort, and intentionality.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 9:24–25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, 1 9:27 Greek I pummel my body and make it a slave lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
I competed in my first triathlon in 2007. I devoted everything to training for that race. I trained in swimming, biking, and running up to 15 hours per week for six months. I only ate food that would benefit my training. I bought a bicycle that was way too expensive. The sacrifice was great, the training was grueling, and the reward was a small medal. The training regimen for the race took a lot of expectation, effort, and intentionality. Now, however, I no longer have the medal, I no longer have the bicycle, and I no longer have the physique.
In 2009, I took a job that promised rewards of wealth, popularity, and power. I also devoted my all to "win" at this job so I could reap the promised rewards. I started to "win" the mentioned rewards within a year and had bought a nice house, a nice truck, and a nice image. It took a lot of expectation, effort, and intentionality. But I soon realized I was also "winning" a failing marriage, depression, and failure in all meaningful relationships in my life. In June 2010, Jesus Christ rescued me from eternal death and a meaningless life spent competing to win all the wrong things.
In today's passage, the apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian church to compete to win an imperishable wreath from the Lord. Paul explains that he leveraged every aspect of his life for the sake of the gospel. Paul was able to do so for three reasons. First, Paul looked with expectation to receiving the imperishable prize from the Lord. Second, Paul was fully devoted with his effort. Third, Paul was intentional. His effort was focused for the advancement of the gospel.
The rewards for competing in the race of this life are perishable and meaningless. How much more important is it for us to forgo personal advancement for the spiritual advancement of others? The reward for a faithful Christian life is imperishable. Training to receive the prize of our Lord's "well done" and the salvation of others requires expectation, effort, and intentionality. Train well.
Discussion Questions
1. What rewards are you competing for on a daily basis?
2. Examine your effort and intentionality in "competing" for the Lord's "well done" and the salvation of others. Journal your thoughts.
3. What is the next step for you to take ground in your effort and intentionality?
4. Who are people in your life that you see "competing to win the prize"? Encourage them today to keep going.