2. Paul: Training for Godliness Reflections for Renewal Series [6] 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

3. COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL RENEWAL Spiritual renewal is up to God—there is not much I can do on my part.  In reality, we can choose to be either receptive to God’s work or unreceptive to God’s desire and work for us.  God desires our renewal and waits for us (Psalm 51:17). Spiritual renewal is attained by only a select few.  In reality, spiritual renewal is for all who come to God.  God’s invitation for renewal is open and free (Isaiah 55:1-3). Spiritual renewal is what happens to me mystically.  In reality, spiritual renewal is practical and continual.  It requires our intentional way of life to receive God’s grace.

4. REFLECTIONS FOR RENEWAL SERIES 1.Mary: A Quiet Reflective Heart (Luke 1:26-56) 2.A Poet: Attentiveness to God (Psalm 119:25-40) 3.The Shepherds: Spreading the Good News (Luke 2:1-20) 4.A Sage: The Wisdom of Roots (Psalm 1) 5.Moses: A Heart of Wisdom (Psalm 90) 6.Paul: Training for Godliness (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) 7.Barnabas: A Gift of Encouragement (Acts 9:19-31)

5. Paul’s Counter-Cultural Vision for the Christian Life Train yourself for godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7b You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1 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, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

6. APOSTLE PAUL: RUNNING & TRAINING WITH PERPETUAL RENEWAL TO WIN! 1)We are to live our Christian life with an all-out attitude like that of a winner in a race. 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. (v.24)  Paul uses a very familiar imagery—“Isthmian Games” in Corinth every three years—for the normal Christian life.  The point is not about competition or only one winner but about the spirit and attitude of a serious athlete aiming to win the race.  The way we live our everyday Christian life matters— Christ’s reward or disqualification is at stake (Phil 3:12-13).

7. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

8. APOSTLE PAUL: RUNNING & TRAINING WITH PERPETUAL RENEWAL TO WIN! 1)We are to live our Christian life with an all-out attitude like that of a winner in a race. 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. (v.24)  Paul uses a very familiar imagery—“Isthmian Games” in Corinth every three years—for the normal Christian life.  The point is not about competition or only one winner but about the spirit and attitude of a serious athlete aiming to win the race.  The way we live our everyday Christian life matters— Christ’s reward or disqualification is at stake (Phil 3:12-13).  So, how should we run? Run this race with all of your might.

9. APOSTLE PAUL: RUNNING & TRAINING WITH PERPETUAL RENEWAL TO WIN! 2)We are to live our Christian life a willingness to sacrifice for the goal. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (v.25)  When our vision is clear about our goal, we are more than willing to arrange our life AROUND this goal.  It requires sacrifice—small and big—to aim for the goal.  So, a willingness to forego any hindrances in running the race is a must (Hebrews 12:1-2).

10. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

11. APOSTLE PAUL: RUNNING & TRAINING WITH PERPETUAL RENEWAL TO WIN! 2)We are to live our Christian life a willingness to sacrifice for the goal. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (v.25)  When our vision is clear about our goal, we are more than willing to arrange our life AROUND this goal.  It requires sacrifice—small and big—to aim for the goal.  So, a willingness to forego any hindrances in running the race is a must (Hebrews 12:1-2).  So, how should we train ourselves? Get rid of all weighty things that hinder from living a spiritual vital Christian life.

12. Asking the Right Questions in Running the Race The serious athlete doesn't ask about how to just get by in his training. He asks about what will bring about maximum performance. So the mature Christian asks, what will make me most useful for the kingdom? What will stir up my zeal for God most? What will intensify my earnestness in prayer? What will trigger more hunger for God's Word? What will strengthen my longing to love? What will fan the flames of my passion for holiness? And then the Christian takes note of all the impulses and all the habits and practices of his life that weaken his zeal for God and his joy of faith, and he sets about to take control of them and put them out of his life. - John Piper

13. APOSTLE PAUL: RUNNING & TRAINING WITH PERPETUAL RENEWAL TO WIN! 3)We are to live our Christian life with a clear focus and vigorous self-discipline. 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, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (vs.26-27)  Paul’s two key coaching tips for the race are: (1) live with a clear focus; and (2) discipline your body for the spiritual life.  Keeping a clear focus requires our intentional arrangement of life around the godly living and training.  Discipline is a necessary way of life to practice self-control and to take responsibility for spiritual renewal and vitality.  So, how should we train ourselves? Stay vigilant & spiritual vital thru 4 D’s (Desire, Decision, Determination, & Discipline).

14. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS IN TRAINING FOR GODLINESS 1.What will it take for me to have an all-out attitude toward my Christian life like that of an Olympic athlete? 1.What are things that weigh me down in running the Christian race? What specific thing(s) do I need to sacrifice in order to win the race? 1.What is my first step toward a clear focus and vigorous disciplines for godliness and perpetual spiritual renewal?