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Paul’s example to the church (2 things)
Discipline your body – keep your eyes on the prize – work hard to live for Jesus!
1st – The servant of all… vs. 19-23
Free to serve… vs. 19
Paul was a free man…
He had been born a Roman citizen (he was not a literal slave to anyone) – Acts 20:28
In an Empire where 2 out of 3 people were slaves – this was quite the privilege…
He was also free in Jesus – he was not bound to any religious system – John 8:36
Yet Paul chose to become a servant to everyone!
Bondservant – doulos – literally slave…
Not someone who was made a slave – someone who choose to be a slave…
Jesus does not demand that we give our lives to Him – it is our choice…
We can choose to live for ourselves – live for this world – in bondage to this world…
But the irony is when we give our lives to Jesus – that is when we are truly free!
He did that so that he might win more people to Jesus…
Paul chose to be the servant of all – so that he could win more people to Jesus!
Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
We dedicate our whole lives to get things that will only last for a moment…
We want more money – a better house – a nice vehicle…
The only thing we can take with us to heaven – is other people who believe in Jesus!
How much better to dedicate our lives to sharing the Good News of Jesus…
Then we will find we have riches (people getting saved) that last for eternity!
All things to all men… vs. 20-23
Paul was willing to adapt himself to reach out to everyone with the Gospel…
To the Jews (those who were under the Law) – Paul had no problem being a Jew…
In Acts 21:23-26 – Paul came back to Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey…
The leaders asked Paul to take 4 men who had taken a vow – to the Temple…
Paul was to pay their expenses – and help them complete their vow to God…
They were asking Paul to conform to Jewish traditions/customs – the Law…
There are times when we should we relent and follow the ‘rules’ of others…
Not that we have to – it may even seem silly – but it keep peace – stops division…
But there are times when we should resist – not agree others demands…
If we think rules make us righteous – might us more godly or righteous…
Matthew 23:28 – “You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Following ‘rules’ does that change us on the inside!
Paul was willing to follow the ‘rules’/customs of the Jews because…
Their motivation for Paul was not to have him live under the law…
They were just seeking not to stumble other Jews who had gotten saved…
Paul was willing to be a Jews around Jews – so he could win them to Christ…
We should be willing to do anything we can to reach others with the Gospel…
To a Catholic – I will be a Catholic / to a Baptist – I will be a Baptist…
That I might be able to point whomever – to Jesus Christ!
To the Gentiles (those who are without the Law) – Paul was a Gentile…
Meaning Paul was willing to meet the Gentiles were they were at – go to them…
If they were not comfortable coming to church – he would go where they were!
So often people are not comfortable coming into ‘the house of God’…
People are intimidated by religion – they don’t know the ‘rules’ or ‘customs’…
They fear if they come they will look foolish – so they stay away…
So it is our responsibility to go to them – reach them where they are!
If they are hanging out at the store – we can go hang out with them…
If they are wandering around the plaza – wander with them…
We do need to be careful – we don’t want to get caught up in their sin…
Galatians 6:1 – “You who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”
Don’t get sucked what they are doing – but go and share Jesus with them!
To the weak (those who do not know the Word) – Paul became weak…
Paul was willing to become all things to all men – so he might save some!
When Jesus came down to earth – He did not come in all the glory of heaven…
He was born in a barn – lived a simple poor life – so He could reach everyone!
We are called to meet people where they are – all things to all men…
Not just those who are like us – we are called to reach out to everyone…
To be the bridge that reaches from Jesus out to a lost and sinful world!
2nd – Hard worker – diligent… vs. 24-27 (4 examples)
Paul gives four practical examples to empathize we should work hard for Jesus…
1st – Running the race… vs. 24
The Christian life is like a race – with a beginning and end…
We began the race the day we believed in Jesus – it ends the day we die…
We run the race to receive the prize – Jesus Christ – Philippians 3:14…
So often as believers we start off well in our race – but we do not finish well…
We treat it like a sprint – but after a while we get tired – distracted – and give up…
The Christian life is a not a sprint – it is a marathon…
* Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
We need to work hard to avoid the sin that weights us down – wears us out…
So we can finish the race with joy – receive the prize waiting for us at the end!
2nd – Competing for the prize – the crown… vs. 25
The Olympic games began in Greece – it was well know event in Paul’s day…
Every two years the Isthmus games were held in the city of Corinth…
Some of the most common events were running / wrestling / and boxing…
Those who competed in the Olympics had to train hard in order to win a crown…
It was not uncommon for an athlete to train for 10 months prior to a competition…
Their reward was a laurel (leaf) crown – that only lasted for a few days…
An athlete does not happen by accident – they work hard…
They have to get up early every day and practice – avoid unhealthy foods…
In the same way we as believers need to train – work hard…
Living for Jesus is a daily choice – and it takes work and commitment on our part…
We choose to take the time to get into God’s Word – set-aside time to pray…
We make the time to attend Bible studies – grow in our faith…
We need to avoid those temptations in life that would distract us…
Not so we can earn a laurel crown – our crown is eternal – never fades away…
What is our crown – there are two thoughts…
1st possibility – We are rewarded with “crowns” for all we do for the Lord
We do not all get saved at the same age – some are old some are young…
Some spend only a few years (weeks or days) as a Christian before heaven…
While others spend their whole lives faithfully serving the Lord…
It would seem those who serve longer – deserve more
The Bema seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10…
We will then receive rewards for the good things done for the Lord
The judgment seat – Bema seat – not speaking of the judgment of sin
The Bema seat – where awards were given to athletes at the Olympics
So for those things we do for the Lord we are given crowns in heaven…
So that we can then throw the Crowns at the feet of Jesus…
As an act of worship when we get to heaven – Revelation 4:10
But there are several problems with the idea of “Crowns” given as rewards…
The reward of a ‘Crown’ is only mentioned 5 times in the Bible…
I Corinthians 9:25, II Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, I Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10
1st – ‘Crown’ is always singular –not ‘Crowns’– meaning there is only one…
2nd – Also the Crown is always followed a description…
Eternal Crown, Crown of Righteousness, Crown of Life, and Crown of Glory
Suggesting that the one “Crown” we receive is just eternal life!
3rd – The idea of ‘crowns’ – focuses on the wrong thing…
Focused on the reward rather than simply being content with salvation…
We are looking to receive more from the Lord – as if He owes us more…
Thinking that we earn extra rewards (crowns) for our works – brings pride!
We think we are better because of what we have done for the Lord…
There is a sense of spiritual self-righteousness – spiritual superiority…
Or a sense of condemnation – because we think we have not done enough…
2nd possibility – Eternal life
The more likely interpretation of the reward is just heaven…
Whether you are saved young or old – your reward is Heaven!
Whether you were the greatest Apostle – or only saved a day – Heaven…
In other words it’s not about how much work you do for the Lord…
We train – work hard – so that we get to go to heaven!
3rd – Fight the good fight… vs. 26
Paul had his eye on the prize – he kept looking to the reward of Jesus!
Manny Pacquiao – follows a gulling workout routine to prepare for his fights…
He wakes up at 6am to run sprints for 45 minutes – then works out for 3 hours…
He then works on his boxing with the speed bag / heavy bag / and double bags…
He finished up his workout with 1,400 crunches – this is every day…
He has this discipline because he keeps his eye on the prize…
Like a boxer we fight – not ‘shadow boxing’ – but in a real fight…
We are in a real fight – we battle against satan / sin / and this world…
We battle for the hearts of those who do not know Jesus – are not saved…
We battle for our own lives – so we can receive our reward!
The way we stay disciplined – is by keeping our eyes on the prize – Jesus!
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
4th – Discipline (wrestle) the body… vs. 27
Paul disciplined his own body – brought it under control…
The idea being Paul’s carnal desires – his flesh – was not in control of him…
His appetite for food / sleep / pleasure – these are not what drove him…
He kept his base desires in submission to Christ…
If he had not – it was possible he could have missed the prize…
Even though he gave the Gospel to others – he himself could have been disqualified!
Do not be disqualified…
As a believer in Jesus – we are forgiven – but that does not mean we cannot still sin…
Our spirit has been reborn – but we are still dwell in our fallen sinful bodies –
Romans 6:12 – “Don’t let sin control the way you live; don’t give in to its desires.”
We still face temptations – struggle with our desires – we can still choose to sin…
We are tempted by the things in this world – to seek the pleasures of this world…
If we give into sin – we harden towards God – we stumble in the race…
There is a very real danger of us giving up – dropping out of the fight…
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