BRING YOUR BODY UNDER SUBMISSION

RUN THE CHRISTIAN RACE TO WIN 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 In Deuteronomy 11:13-21 we see a generation that had agreed to the law given out in (Exodus 24:7) many years before this time spoken of here. They all died as they wondered in the wilderness because they never entered the race to win.How as this new gereration was preparing to enter the promised land once again, they needed a refresher course on the law and they needed to begin living it on a day to day bases as they were preparing to enter the promised land now. The law was given for the purpose of teaching them how to run the race for God and win as well as teaching them how to run the race in such a way that they also helped each other win. Today, as we study the word of God, are we just reading for the sake of reading or are we learning and putting what God is teaching usinto practice so that we can finish the race and win the prize. In (1 Corinthians 9:23-27),Paul encourages us to live for Christ with intentionality, putting into it every ounce of strength that we have in everything we do. Living righteously for God and nefore others. We are to run the race like an athlete that made it to the olympics with the intention to win. So many Christians today are just living what I would call passive Christianity.. They are just passing the time and waiting for Jesus to return. What they are not realizing that all of the actions taken or not taken in that passing will be tested by fire. And what ever is not an intentionalChristian walk, will be burned up and they will suffer much loss. Read (1 Corinthians 3:5-17) You will see what I am speaking of. Friends, Christians should not live passively but should practice self-control in all areas being dedicated to practice the call God has given them to "win" a spiritual, imperishable prize rather than merely recieving participation badge. So you may ask, what is the key to "Running to Win"? Paul encourages the church to live with purpose. Te ereges them as I urge you today, we need to discipline our bodies and renew our minds on a daily bases, very simalar to the athelites of the olympic games do in preparation for competition Our lives should be lived so intentionally, so focusing on God and His word, His law that we prioritize our spiritual goals on such a way that our selfish desires disapate and God's desires become first and formost in our lives. We need to be running to win, running for the prize. our aim should not be just to get the participation badge, but rather winning it all. An eternal, "imperishable crown, So our call my friends is to live daily with a deep dedication to God seeking His purposes, disciplining our bodies (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) As I close today, here is a list of life practices that will help you win in the Christian Race 1. Make your body, soul and spirit a slave to the Holy Spirit and His power to live and do the things God has called you to do. 2.Go into strict training,"Buffeting" by saying "no" to the fleeting pleasures of this world, of sin and the problems that follow close behind when you say yes to it, but you instead say "YES" to those things that you know are right, because you have been seeking God through the reading of His word. 3. We need to avoid being disqualified, Paul say, I disciplined myself so that after teaching others, that O myself woyld not fall into complacency or sin, and lose the race and my spiritual rewards. 4. WE need to be impowered by the love and grace of God. This requires intense effort, self-control and read Glatians 5:22-23 for the rest of the fruits of the spirit This is one of the lists that, all of them should be evident in our lives, for they are the fruits of the Spirit, not the gifts, that God gives to us as HE sees fit. But the fruits are the evidance of a well run race. This means that we are working with God's strength to achieve our goal 5 This one is not wasy, as none of them are, but we need to say no and resist the pathay of the least resistance," such as overcoming laziness, gluttony, or sinful habits that tempt the flesh. 6. We need to live intentionality, not live "aimlessly" or "beat the air," but have a specific plan for spiritual growth. 7.As an athelete in the christian race we need to abstain from obcessive luxuries and strive for the gold medal, believers should be willing to sacrifice comfort to serve Christ. 8. Consistently seeking after and doing Spiritual exercises, engaging in prayer, Bible study, and worship so we strengthen the inner man.Worship with others by attending church regularly. You are not there to see whos there, but rather to meet God and grow in your faith As we seek to live out these goal, we will see God in a more powerful way and He will fulfill us and fill us to overflowing as we walk with Him through life. It then will not matter what the enemy throws at us, we will win as we walk with God through it all. We may die, but we will win, because we will live eternally with God forever in Heaven. RUN TO WIN MY FRIEND, IF YOU KNOW JESUS PERSONALLY RUN TO WIN. AMEN