1. We are in a spiritual race 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Challenges Stakes

2. If Paul had to discipline himself, So must we! Not better than Paul Not in a different world Not in a different race

4. Every athletic race has rules 100-yard dash 100 yards Start line Starting gun Finish line

5. Every athletic race has rules Olympic mile 5,280 feet Oval track Starting line & time ID number Chemical blood tests

6. Every athletic race has rules Boston Marathon 26 miles, 385 yards Set route

9. Every athletic race has rules Boston Marathon 26 miles, 385 yards Set route Qualify by age & time ID number Start time

10. Race for our soul has standards 1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25 Start: obedience Mk. 16:16

11. Race for our soul has standards 1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25 Course: Narrow way Mt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4-6 One body, Col. 3:15 One Spirit, 1 Cor. 2:10; 14:33 One hope, Eph. 1:18-20 One Lord, Jn. 14:6

12. Race for our soul has standards 1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25 Course: Narrow way Mt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4-6 One faith, 1 Pt. 1:13-16 One baptism, Acts 2:38 One God, Jn. 17:3

13. An easier path may be found Less resistance Less effort More companions No prize

14. Run with diligence or be lost Without diligence, no rest Heb. 4:11 Patient continuance, life Rom. 2:6-10

15. Learn from biblical examples Abraham Heb. 11:8, 9 Paul 1 Cor. 8:13; 9 Jesus Heb. 12:1, 2; Phil. 2:5-8

16. Sacrifice is necessary Heb. 12:1, 2; Mk. 9:43-48 Sin 1 Pt. 4:3, 4 Every weight Entertainment Recreation Association

17. Jesus had one goal – finish Gods work Sustained Him in life Jn. 4:34 Carried Him through death Jn. 17:4, 5

18. There is a cost Lk. 14:28, 29 Study Prayer Worship

19. The faithfully run race will not be in vain Crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 Crown of life Jas. 1:12 Crown of glory 1 Pt. 5:4 Imperishable crown 1 Cor. 9:25

21. We are in a spiritual race 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Challenges Stakes

22. If Paul had to discipline himself, So must we! Not better than Paul Not in a different world Not in a different race