The Certain Victory

1 Corinthians 9:24

Introduction.

  1. Victorious people are often rather popular.

    1. Those who win at sports.

    2. Those who win contests.

  2. This is true in ancient world, too.

    1. Greece and the Marathon.

    2. Romans and chariot races.

  3. Paul refers such sporting events (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

    1. In regular races, there are many participants but only one winner.

    2. Instead, there are many participants, and anyone who finishes wins.

    3. We do not beat the air, but work and sacrifice.

    4. Christians are the participants, surrounded by many spectators (Heb. 12:1).

    5. Paul eventually finished the race (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

  4. Let us compare the Christian life with that of a sporting event: hard work, purpose, prize.

Body.

  1. The Christian Life Involves Hard Work.

    1. Such involvement is going to demand hard work.

    2. It involves self-control.

      1. Athletes must use this to get their bodies in shape: diet and exercise.

      2. Christians must be on a steady diet of God’s Word, practicing Christian graces, fruit of the Spirit, etc.

    3. No one ever claimed being a Christian was easy.

      1. Jesus said the world will hate you (John 15:18; cf. 1 John 3:13).

      2. Paul himself had to go through so much (2 Cor. 11:22-30).

      3. Moses had to deal with 2 million complaining people (Num. 11:10-15).

      4. If these very godly men had such troubles, do not think you are greater than they.

    4. There is hard work to do as a Christian!

  2. The Christian Life Involves a Purpose.

    1. Athletes have a singular purpose, to win!

      1. In order to achieve this purpose, they set goals for themselves to improve.

      2. As Christians, we, too, must set goals for ourselves.

    2. Paul said that he fights, not as beating the air—i.e. with futility.

      1. While athletes exercise, they are not trying to win a race or defeat an opponent.

      2. I saw on Facebook someone try using Proverbs 28:1 as an excuse not to go jogging (joke)—what about Prov. 22:13; 26:13?

      3. This exercise (not the most fun thing to do) builds one up so they can win.

    3. Our purpose is to worship and live for God.

      1. That means finding meaning in our worship and participating.

      2. That means sharing the gospel with others.

    4. We are not only exercising, practicing—we must also fight and win that imperishable crown!

  3. The Christian Life Involves a Prize.

    1. In the ancient world, the prize they would win was a perishable crown.

      1. It was a garland, a laurel of leaves that would turn brown in a few days.

      2. The crown or prize we strive for will endure forever.

    2. Even today, the victories of sports teams fade.

      1. Some aficionados (fans) may remember their victories, but not generally.

      2. Their glory fades, but the glory for the Christian is forever.

    3. The victory that God has is immeasurable, indescribable, and complete.

      1. That victory is through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).

      2. It is over death and the grave (1 Cor. 15:54-56).

      3. This is the last enemy that will be defeated (1 Cor. 15:26).

      4. It is only fitting that our prize befits this last, great victory.

    4. Do we truly have faith in God?

      1. Know that He has the victory! (1 Cor. 15:57).

      2. We are more than conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:37).

Conclusion.

  1. You can only be assured of that victory if you are a Christian.

    1. Yes, it does involve hard work.

    2. But with a focus on our purpose,

    3. And trusting in His victory

    4. We can have that assurance.

  2. Be a Christian today—be born of God (1 John 5:4).

  3. Continue being faithful to take part in that victory (1 Cor. 15:58).