I Fight for My Incorruptible Crown

"I Fight for My Incorruptible Crown" - 1 Corinthians 9:14-27 Not far from Corinth the historical games were held. It would not be difficult for believers to understand what Paul wanted to teach them. There were athletic competitions (a set of events in which a series of opponents fight for victory). Only Paul taught them how to go to the competition in order to win and not be defeated. Because at the end of the day, it's about getting the same thing.

I. Paul reminds them that, although many "runs" in the stadium, not everyone receives "the reward."

A. We must lead our lives to win, it demands an energetic effort.

1. Our life is like a race.

2. Energetic (active, effective, diligent, strong, firm, whole) effort.

3. We must be defined because this race demands it, to lead to winning.

4. It's not only that you win the prize.

5. Quite simply, it teaches that we should all run like winners.

6. Everyone who has believed, we should all practice the same kind of self-denial that the Apostle Paul himself practiced.

7. Here, of course, the reward is not salvation, but a reward "for faithful service."

8. Now Paul tells us that we must struggle (1 Corinthians 9:25).

9. The race is to the end, never in the race the strength is exhausted, firmness then we lead to win that great prize, although with blows, tiredness, loneliness we lead him to win his reward.

10. Therefore, it is necessary to fight that "everyone who fights" clarity, exactness in games, in everything exercises "self-control."

11. I listened to an interview with a soccer player that when they play, they have to stay in the hotel, not drink, or anything other than eat the diet, jokingly I told him they couldn't drink wine, I told him, nothing, nothing, in his country wine is common.

12. You can't drink or smoke and have fun and stay in the race.

13. Of course, you can!

14. But you won't be able to win our lives like that.

15. As Paul thinks of the participants in the games, he sees the victor agreeing to receive his prize.

16. He who fights wins.

17. Which one?

18. A corruptible wreath, a garland of flowers, or a wreath of laurels that will soon perish.

19. The world gives you the corruptible crown: Which one do you run, corruptible or incorruptible = that cannot be perverted = reprobate customs, vices?

20. The incorruptible crown that will be given to all who have been faithful in their service to Christ.

21. (26) In view of this imperishable crown, Paul declares that for this reason he runs, "not as by chance," and fights "not as one who strikes in the air, he who strikes by the air loses.

22. His service was neither purposeless nor ineffective.

23. He had before his eyes a definite purpose, and his intention was that "all his actions should have weight."

24. There could be no waste of time or energy.

25. In all that he undertook in the Lord's work, the apostle was not interested in failing.

26. (27) Paul instead disciplines his "body"; Who does it, you?

27. Paul "put himself in bondage," lest "having proclaimed others," he himself should be rejected or disqualified.

28. In our Christian life there is a need for self-control, for discipline.

29. The Apostle Paul was aware of the terrible possibility that after having "proclaimed others”, he himself would be disqualified.

30. Paul subjected the instincts and, above all, the senses (hearing, smell, sight, taste, and touch) to severe control.

31. Paul subdued his body "I lead it into slavery in servitude (the labor proper to the servant) gives an idea of the rigor (firmness, strength) with which the apostle subdued his body by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit, which through him do not penetrate in vain. (15:10)

32. The danger to which neglect to control the inclinations of the flesh leads.

33. That great proclamation, to the four winds of the Good News, and that is the work to which he had been called (1:17) above all others.

34. (27b) When Paul took part in the "game" (of which he runs) it would be a sad thing if, after proclaiming other victors, he himself were disqualified from the competition.

35. The way to get nowhere is: They're not going anywhere; they just go.

36. It's the way to get nowhere.

37. We must know what our goal is worth.

38. The great love of Jesus is that it was seldom based on punishments and terrible consequences.

39. It was based on the statement: Consider what you miss if you do not follow My way. (Psalm 128:) (Deuteronomy 8:6)

40. The goal "is life," and there is no doubt that it is worth attaining.

41. We can't save others if we don't own ourselves.

42. Know thyself!

43. It is clear that, we cannot do anything for others until we have done it for ourselves; We can't teach what we don't know; we cannot bring others to Christ until we have found Him ourselves.

44. When heaven looks to Earth, always running to and fro, will the angel (who watches over you) ask, "What are you doing?" The millions of angels will say: he's drinking, in disco, playing the lottery, drinking wine with friends from the world, dancing... they just go from one place to another; For this reason, "in the manner of not arriving anywhere."

45. There's no sanctification, they just go, it seems like someday.

46. Look, they run in the stadium, but only one carries the prize.

47. Run in such a way that you will get it.

48. Don't be one of those who go "nowhere; they just go."

49. Because it's the way to "get nowhere." Amen.