1corinthians 9.24 – 27
24 Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
26 Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified.
2 Timothy 2 . 5 And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
Introduction
Paul used the image of running race – the marathon.
Marathon is a race running for more than 42 Kms or more than 26 miles.
The image is from Greek culture
Paul is encouraging the believers to strive to reach a goal
Marathon
The name Marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger.
The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon which took place in August or September, 490 BC.
It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming νενικήκαμεν (nenikekamen, "we have wοn"), before collapsing and dying.
1. The marathon runner is not running by sight
Hebrews 12.1
1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There is no reference to the sight of the finishing point or the trophy
2 Corinthians 5. 7 for we live by faith, not by sight
Hebrews 11.1 Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.
Hebrews 11.9, 10
9 By faith he lived in the land of promise as a stranger, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise.
10 For he was expecting the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
2. He runs with patient endurance
Hebrews 12.1
1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Do not stop
Stopping is the only failure.
If you are tired, still do not stop, but crawl to the finishing line.
3. He exercises self control in everything
1 Corinthians 9.24 – 27
24 Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
26 Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after* preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Hebrew 12. 11 Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.
Philippians 3. 8
8 ⌊More than that⌋, I even consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them* dung, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3.12-14
12 Not that I have already received this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it. But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2 . 5 And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
4. Receive encouragement from the multitude
Hebrew 12. 1, 2
1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The great cloud of witnesses are victorious people who have already ran the race.
Learn from them
Get encouraged from them.
5. Run the race yourself
Let those who conduct the marathon, run the race first.
1. It will help him to pose as a good model
2. It will help him to prepare the way for those who are coming after.
1 Corinthians 11. 1 Become imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4. 16 Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me.
Hebrew 12. 12, 13
12 Therefore strengthen your slackened hands and your weakened knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Depicts exhaustion of an athlete who needs to press on in order to reach the final goal.
“Lame” may refer to believers who are in danger of fatigue or spiritual laxity.
Believers who are strong should take care for the weak.
7. The crown is for all who finish, not just to the first one alone – a reward in addition to salvation
Philippians 3.12-14
12 Not that I have already received this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it. But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2 . 5 And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 4. 6 - 8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is imminent.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.
The crown is not just for the first one to finish the race
Every one who finish the race will be awarded a crown.
1corinthians 9.24 – 27
24 Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
26 Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Spiritual race is not a competition
The laws of the race is different that finishing the race is success.
Stopping is the only failure.
If you are in the run, though the speed is low to crawling, you are still not a failure.
Run for victory, if cannot crawl to it.
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