Eternal reward awaits those who… …learn from mistakes… …realize failure can happen, …and run to win!

‘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.’

Part I 1 Cor. 9: 24-27

1 Corinthians 9:24 The Christian life is compared to a race – spiritual vs. physical. We are commanded to pursue God’s approval and “the prize”. Nothing God commands is bad. God’s approval is not the same as His acceptance.

1 Corinthians 9:25 Competes: “To get in shape in order to compete in the games” Temperate: “Self-control because of the training” Our goal is greater! Winning brings reward! Our prize lasts forever!

“Run” – to live life in such a way as to gain approval and reward 1 Corinthians 9:26 “Run” – to live life in such a way as to gain approval and reward Paul lived his life with purpose and a goal So should we!

1 Corinthians 9:27 The biggest challenge we face is us! Paul did not let his body master him (Walking in the Spirit!) A believer’s body is naturally uncooperative so the only way to do that is to abide in Christ with a mind set on the things of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 9:27 At times, Paul would not even give himself (his body) the privileges it rightfully had for the good of others (9:17-23; also 8:9; 10:33). Paul disciplined his body because he was afraid he would live his life in such a way as to not have God’s approval and lose rewards.

A Bad Example Part II 1 Cor. 10: 1-11

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 Israel had great privileges – 1-4 But, they didn’t respond properly to them and were “disqualified” – 5 We should learn from them: they followed their desires – 6-11 Empty beliefs, sexual immorality, tempting the Lord (indicted His character), complaining

Part III 1 Cor. 10: 12-13 Making good decisions

1 Corinthians 10:12 – The concern Spiritual failure can happen to any believer, at any time; no one is above failure! Therefore, we need to to keep running the race! Even the Apostle Paul was concerned about losing reward!

1 Corinthians 10:12 – The Concern When we lose focus, we lose reward -Philemon 24; 2 Tim. 4:9-10 1 Corinthians 3:10-16 – It costs and it spreads. To win the race it helps to realize we can lose.

Don’t come up short!

1 Cor. 10:13 – Encouragement Everybody is tempted to quit; Everybody! One of Satan’s greatest weapons is to convince us that we are alone. God WILL make sure it’s not too much for us; He knows our limits.

1 Cor. 10:13 – Encouragement God will provide answers. To win the race it helps to realize we can win! Exaggerating our suffering is common and deadly (Heb. 12:3-4). We can do it!

Romans 7:15-20  For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Romans 7:21-25  I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

How do we bring our bodies under subjection? Galatians 5:16-18  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. How do we bring our bodies under subjection?

So, when I recognize a problem: I have to realize I can’t change me just by deciding to change; I need the Spirit’s help. So, when I recognize a problem: I pray, knowing the reality of change. I ask/think about God’s perspective. “How can I act with a spiritual mindset?” My flesh, my carnal mind, wants to do things differently. It wants to do what IT wants! So, what do we do?

I know I should read Scripture, but I don’t feel like it; I don’t think I have time. I focus on how others drive. I get irritated watching the news or thinking about how others think politically. I avoid doing what I need to do to take care of myself. I don’t want to do what I should to have a good marriage. So, what do we do?

So, what do we do? What’s my wheelhouse? What am I supposed to be about? Where is my focus? What does God want me to do now? How does God want me to view this? What does Scripture say about this? Am I doing what I need to do to stay close to Him? Why am I not? So, what do we do?

Eternal reward awaits those who… …learn from mistakes… …realize failure can happen, …and run to win!