Three Keys To Winning Your Race
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
• 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.
• Paul tells us how to be winners.
• 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.
• 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.”
1. 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.
1. 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!
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.
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
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.”
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.
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.
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
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.”
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
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
3. Prepare – Get Ready
• Heb 12:1
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
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.”
Three Keys To Winning Your Race
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Bishop Flynn Johnson
Atlanta Metro Cathedral