"STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY" or "VICTORY AHEAD!"
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
INTRO: In many instances in the Word of God, the Christian life is compared
to running a race. And I believe the prayer of every child of God
should be, as Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7). Just an athlete
prepares for the grueling course which lies ahead, so should each of
us be prepared for the obstacles which may lie ahead in our path!
In our text in 1 Corinthians 9:25 the SCRIPTURE says—“And every
man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they
do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." The word
"mastery" used there means "victory" according to Webster's
Dictionary. It implies the idea of an athlete in training to win a
competition. Physical athletes discipline themselves by training long
hours, restricting their diets, and resting adequately. For the
believer this training involves a victory over temptation and sin by
praying, studying the Word of God, and concentrating his thoughts on
spiritually enriching things. (Fred D. Howard. 1 Corinthians: Guideline
For God’s People. p. 80). Physical athletes run to obtain perishable
crowns. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul alludes to the Isthmian
Games, celebrated every two years on the Isthmus of Corinth. The
runners ran to obtain a corruptible crown. The coveted crown was a
garland made of laurel, olive leaves, or pine needles. (Merrill C.
Tenney. Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. Pp. 298-299).
Our crown is incorruptible thus it demands greater fidelity. The
athletic competitor had to "strive lawfully" or else he was not
crowned. (Merrill C. Tenney. Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. p.
299). 2 Timothy 2:5 says—“If a man also striveth for the masteries,
yet he is not crowned, except he strive lawfully." The Christian must
run looking intently at the goal, laying aside not only sinful lusts, but
even harmless and otherwise useful things that would retard him.
(Merrill C. Tenney. Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. p. 299).
This involves self-discipline! We must be willing to give ourselves
totally to God to finish the course with joy! I want us to look tonight
at some things involved in gaining the mastery over self. MASTERY
INVOLVES…
(1) PRIORITIES
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24a—“ Know ye not that they which run in a race run
all, but one receiveth the prize?...”
A. THE DISCIPLINE OF THE RUNNER. In the Olympic games, Paul was
alluding to, there could be only one victor. But the spiritual race has many
winners. Paul's emphasis was not on the one winner but on the fact that all
contestants should run to win. (Fred D. Howard. 1 Corinthians: Guidelines
for God’s People. p. 80). All of us are victors because of Jesus Christ! 1
Corinthians 15:57 tells us—“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Friends, it takes discipline to:


START THE RACE (Luke 9:23). We must be willing to deny self.
Friends, SELF gives more problems than anything else. Truly the
words of Jesus are true—“The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is
weak.” (Matthew 26:41b).
STAY IN THE RACE (Hebrews 12:1-2). We must keep running in spite
of difficulties, disappointments, and discouragement.
The crowns we obtain are in direct proportion with the effort we put in the
race! It is a matter of priorities! The question is: Do we discipline SELF so
that we can follow the leadership of the SPIRIT?
B. THE DEPENDENCE OF THE RUNNER. To run the race rightly, we must
love Jesus above all others! (Philippians. 1:21). Friends, if Christ is not
your life you will not finish the race with joy. IF Christ is not your life you
will stumble along the way.
ILLUS: George Beverly Shea yielded his talents and his life to the service of
Christ at a very early age, and God has rewarded his faithfulness.
Because he realized in this life that only what is done for Christ is of
any lasting value. In earlier years, Shea had his share of the lucrative
offers of this world, but he thoughtfully turned them down to become a
singing servant for the Savior. In 1933, he wrote his most famous
song:
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I'd rather be true to His Holy Name.
Chorus:
Than to be a king of a vast domain,
Or be held in Sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus that anything
This world affords today.
(Lindsay Terry. Stories Behind Popular Songs And Hymns. pp. 196-197).
In the race, Jesus MUST have first priority! STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY
involves PRIORITIES but also…
(2) PROCUREMENT
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24b-25 —"…So run, that ye may obtain. And every
man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now
they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; we an incorruptible"
A. THE REASON FOR RUNNING. The word "procure" means "to obtain, to
acquire" (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary. Volume 2, N-Z. p.
527). All believers will one day stand before God at the Judgment Seat of
Christ for the purpose of reviewing our life's work! (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Work acceptable to God will be rewarded and unacceptable work will be
burned up! We read in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15—“For other foundation can
no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build
upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every
man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it
shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort
it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive
a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
In the Olympic games, there was no legal compulsion which demanded that
the runners strive to attain the Crown. Why then, did they run? They run
because they're athletes. (Jerry Falwell. Liberty Bible Commentary of The
New Testament. p. 403). Why should we run? Because we are Christians!
That is why we are here for! We run to become more like our Savior each
new day! Paul said in Philippians 3:10-14—“That I may know him, and
the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
B. THE REWARD FOR RUNNING. We read in v24—“…so run, that ye may
obtain.” Our objective is to finish the course set before us, so we will be
rewarded and obtain crowns to cast at the Savior's feet! Paul said in 2
Timothy 4:7-8—“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” We read
in Revelation 4:10-11—“ The four and twenty elders fall down before him
that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast
their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive
glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created.” The “four and twenty elders” in v10
are representative of the redeemed Church in heaven. What are they doing?
“casting their crowns” at their Saviour’s feet.
Someone said, "My face is set, My gait is fast, My goal is heaven, My road is
Heaven, My road is narrow, My way is rough, My companions are few, My
guide is reliable, My mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised,
detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in
the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the
table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander at the maze
of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, or slow up, till I've preached
up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for Christ.” --Robert
Moorehead (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &
Classical. p. 44).
STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY involves PRIORITIES, PROCUREMENT, and
also…
(3) PATIENCE
1 CORINTHIANS 9:26a—“I therefore so run..."
A. THE PACE OF THE RUNNER. Patience is one of the nine fruit of the
Spirit. It is something we all have a problem with! Hebrews 10:36—“For
ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise." You have heard the old expression, “Pace yourself.”
Paul said, I therefore so run, not as uncertainly…”. We must keep in pace
with the Holy Spirit. He is our trainer. He is our companion.
B. THE PATTERN FOR THE RUNNER. Paul said, "I therefore so run...". That
Is like the athletes in v25. This means with:

SELF-DISCIPLINE (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). “Striveth
for the mastery…”. The phrase means “to struggle, to fight, to labor
fervently.” We must train to be successful in the race. Paul is telling us
to train to compete as athletes who really want to win. Without effort,
nothing can be won in a sporting event. (Guzik Commentary. e-Sword.
Version 7.8.5. Copyright 2000-2007. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved
Worldwide). Paul said, “In the Christian race; in my effort to obtain the
prize, the crown of immortality. I exert myself to the utmost, that I may
not fail of securing the crown.” (Albert Barnes. Albert Barnes’ Notes On
The Bible. e-Sword. Version 7.8.5. Copyright 2000-2007. Rick Meyers. All
Rights Reserved Worldwide).

SELF-CONTROL. “Temperate in all things.” Our word “temperate” is
translated from a Greek word that means "to exercise self-restraint, to
have power over oneself or self-control" (Hebrews 12:1-2). An athlete
must refuse things that may be fine in themselves, but would hinder the
pursuit of his goal. (Guzik Commentary. e-Sword. Version 7.8.5.
Copyright 2000-2007. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide).
STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY involves PRIORITIES, PROCUREMENT,
PATIENCE and…
(4) PROCEDURE
1 CORINTHIANS 9:26-27a—“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body,
and bring it into subjection…"
A. THE DISCIPLINING OF THE FLESH. Jesus said, "The spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak." To stay in the race we MUST KEEP OUR
BODY IN SUBJECTION! Paul said in v27—“But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection.” All of us have a spiritual battle going on within us.
The opponents are the Spirit and the flesh. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:17—
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye
would.”
B. THE DEFEATING OF THE FLESH. Paul changes from running to boxing
to illustrate this point Paul talks about keeping under my body and
bringing it into subjection. In our English Language the verse has lost
much of its meaning from the Original. In the Greek, v27 says, "I pommel
(to beat black and blue) my body and subdue it" That is what we must do
with the old flesh! Paul Mentions Two Methods of attack for defeating the
flesh:

A DETERMINED FAITH (v26a). Paul said, “I therefore so run…”. Paul
had faith. Paul was determined. He would not give up till he crossed the
finish line! Friends, nothing worthwhile in the Christian life can be
obtained apart from faith! (Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-2; 1 John 5:4).

A DISCIPLINED FOCUS (vv. 26b-27a) Paul’s eye was fixed firmly on the
heavenly prize. Paul realized how important the course set before him
was. The question is, do we? Do we realize how important it is to give
our all in the Christian race? Are we motivated? Paul wrote in 1
Thessalonians 5:5-8—“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of
the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not
sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep
sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But
let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and
love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.” "The secret of discipline is
motivation. When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take
care of itself." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &
Classical. p. 58).
STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY involves PRIORITIES, PROCUREMENT,
PATIENCE, PROCEDURE and lastly…
(5) PURPOSE
1 CORINTHIANS 9:27b—“Lest by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway"
A. AVOIDING DISAPPROVAL. Paul is not speaking of loss of salvation. The
word "castaway" is translated from a word in the Greek that means
"disapproved." His fear is of losing his crown, not his salvation, by not
persevering in the race.
B. AFFIRMING DEPENDENCE. Salvation is God's work from beginning to
end. Paul was diligent to do good works, not in order to be saved, but
because he was saved! To Paul, perseverance was the proof of salvation, not
a prerequisite. Someone has expressed this idea well: "We ought to trust
God as if all depended on Him, and we should serve Him faithfully as if all
depended on us. Paul's real fear was to be rejected as God's servant, not
God's Son. (Fred D. Howard. 1 Corinthians: Guidelines For God’s People. p.
81).
CLOSING: STRIVING FOR THE MASTERY involves PRIORITIES,
PROCUREMENT, PATIENCE, PROCEDURE, and PURPOSE. To run
the race set before us it takes perseverance! But we can endure if
we rest in the Promises of God! Isaiah 40:31 says—“They that wait
upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint."
How are you faring in the race? Are you overcoming or being
overcome? The finish line lies ahead, there's the Saviour waiting to
greet us; where will you finish?
Prepared by Brother Bryan L. Browning, Pastor of Beechmont Baptist Church, Beechmont, KY for Sunday
Evening, September 9, 2007.