As you know, tonight's the Superbowl. So, at the Superbowl party tonight our new student minister led a devotional during halftime. I wanted to share.
1Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
It's fitting that our halftime devotional be about athletes! In this passage, Paul is using the illustration of a race. Now, he notes that even though only one runner wins, they all run to win. While that doesn't mean only one of us will get to heaven, Paul is telling us we need to run as fervently as these athletes. Paul encourages us by pointing out that the athletes of the time competed and trained for a "perishable " wreath, but the Wreath we get is imperishable - that's company with our God, that's Jesus. So we have quite a prize in store for us!
In verse 26, Paul says he doesn't run aimlessly. Rather, he disciplines himself so that he doesn't disqualify himself from preaching. In other words, why should people not partake in underage drinking? Sure it's illegal but so is speeding. Well, the reason why not is that when you drink underage, you disqualify yourself from being able to share Christ with others. So, you need to discipline yourself in order to preserve your witness.
In short, run to win. We have an imperishable prize. Don't disqualify yourself. Train for The Wreath.
-Special thanks to John Lambuth and the Apostle Paul.
Great tie to the Super Bowl!
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