1 CORINTHIANS 9:18-272004 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: 1 Corinthians 9:18-27

FerventWord Narrator [00:00:00]:
You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2004.

Jerry Simmons [00:00:13]:
1st Corinthians chapter 9. I have a question for you this morning as I often do as we study through the scriptures together. The the question this morning for you and I is this. How serious are you about this thing called Christianity? How serious are you? Now it's very easy for me to ask you the question and for you to answer within your own mind, within your own heart how serious you are. But as your friends and family are there and they're watching you who say you're a Christian and you who profess that, hey, Jesus Christ is lord, they're asking the same question. How serious are you about this thing called Christianity? How serious are you about this guy that you talk about named Jesus? It's an important question. As we've been studying through 1st Corinthians chapter 9, we've seen a tremendous example in the Apostle Paul. Specifically, last week, we looked at his example and in his surrender of his rights or his freedoms in order to not cause anyone to stumble, he said, hey, I'd rather, not do anything, not eat meat, not do whatever it is that's causing my brother to stumble.

Jerry Simmons [00:01:21]:
So I lay down my rights. I lay down many of my freedoms so that I don't cause people or hinder them from coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We saw his example in chapter 9 verses 1 through 18. Well, as we continue on this week in verses 19 through 27, we continue to see the apostle Paul's example, Only this time, instead of surrendering rights to not cause a stumble, this time, this week, he's the example of surrendering rights in order to share the gospel. Surrendering his rights in order to have an opportunity to be able to share with someone how much God loves them and what Jesus Christ did on the cross for them. So the question is, how serious are you? As we look at the apostle Paul, we can know very assuredly that he is pretty serious. He's living for it. It's the goal of his life.

Jerry Simmons [00:02:13]:
He says that's the purpose. This one thing I do, and I wanna know Jesus Christ. I wanna know him more. I wanna know him and the power of his death and resurrection. That was the apostle Paul's goal. That was the purpose of his life. How serious are you about your walk with Jesus Christ? Let's read together. First Corinthians chapter 9 starting in verse 19, it says this.

Jerry Simmons [00:02:35]:
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all that I might win the more. And to Jews, I became as a Jew that I might win Jews. To those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law. To those who are without law, as without law. Not being without law toward god, but under law toward Christ that I might win those who are without law. To the weak, I became as weak that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might, by all means, save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake that I may be partaker of it with you.

Jerry Simmons [00:03:15]:
Verse 24. Do you not know that those who run-in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run-in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus, not with uncertain uncertainty, thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. Verse 27, but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Powerful portion of scripture the apostle Paul shares with us this morning. In verse 19, he starts out and says, for though I am free from all men.

Jerry Simmons [00:04:02]:
He says, I'm free from all men. Now we've been talking about the Apostle Paul and his profession that we have been set free as Christians. We are set free where we have liberty in Christ. He set us free from the law of sin, from the law of death, from the law and the legalism that was within the law of the Old Testament. He set us free from so many things that we might be able to worship Him and walk with Him. It's not about the law any longer, but about our relationship with Jesus. So Paul says, I'm free from all men, but specifically last week as we saw the apostle Paul talking about laying down his rights, the primary right that he was referring to was his right to receive support financially from the Corinthian church. As he was there ministering, he said, I laid down that right.

Jerry Simmons [00:04:48]:
Even though I had it, I could've been supported by you. I could've, been provided for financially by you. I I laid it down. I didn't do it so that no one could accuse me of trying to make some type of gain or financial profit from the gospel. He said he also did it so that people as they come behind him, the false prophets and false teachers, that they wouldn't be able to try to take advantage of the Corinthian church. So he ends the portion that we looked at last week with verse 18, which says this. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. Then in verse 19, he says, for though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all.

Jerry Simmons [00:05:32]:
Paul is basically saying this, look, I didn't serve you because you paid me to. I'm a free man. I I don't owe you anything. I'm not under bondage. You don't support me financially, so I'm not obligated in a sense to share with you what you want me to share with you or to compromise the gospel in any way. I'm a free man, and I'm here as your servant, not because you pay me to be here, but because I want to be here. He says, I want to be here, number 1, that I may win the more. His his goal is his purpose was to win people to Jesus Christ, to share with them the love that Christ had for them.

Jerry Simmons [00:06:09]:
So Paul says, I've made myself a servant to all men, not for pay, not because they pay me to. It's easy for us to be servants to those who pay us to. We often do that, don't we? Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. But Paul says, I don't do this for pay. I'm not the servant that I might get paid, but for the opportunity to share the gospel. That's why I've made myself a servant. That's why I've become a servant of all. It's a good reminder for all of us that we become servants like Jesus Christ.

Jerry Simmons [00:06:39]:
In Mark chapter 10 verses 43 through 44, Jesus told us, look, if you wanna be great in the kingdom of God, learn to be the servant of all or more literally, the slave of all. That's what we're called to do. Jesus taught something that is contrary to our nature and to the world around us. If you wanna be great in God's kingdom, what do you do? You don't force your way. You don't pronounce your opinion. You don't no. What you do is you become a servant of all. That's how you become great in the kingdom of God.

Jerry Simmons [00:07:11]:
That's what Jesus modeled for us. It's what Paul modeled for us, and it's what you and I are called to do. Servant leadership. Like I said, it's contrary to the world, but those who are called to be great within God's kingdom are called to be the servants of all. And so we need to serve one another. Paul said by serving, that's what gives me opportunity to share the gospel. By serving, I have more opportunity, he says, to win the more, to share with them the gospel. That was Paul's goal.

Jerry Simmons [00:07:39]:
His purpose in life, his primary purpose, his primary passion was to save people from the depths of hell. To save people and to share with them the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, that they could be forgiven, that they didn't have to continue on in legalism or whatever religion they were caught up into or lack of, but they could have the peace and love that comes from Jesus Christ, his his blood, and and his death upon the cross. That was Paul's goal. It was Paul's purpose. In Proverbs chapter 11 verse 30, the writer of Proverbs says, hey. He who wins souls is wise. Paul is a wise man because his purpose in life, his purpose for what he did was that he would win souls. Are are you a wise person this morning? Are you in the business of winning souls? Oh, yes.

Jerry Simmons [00:08:28]:
I know. We all have different callings, and the apostle Paul, as we talked about last week, was specifically called to be an apostle, and that was his calling. He was called out as a missionary. The Lord has sent many missionaries out from here. We're familiar with that. But we all have been called. We've all been gifted by God, and we should all be in the business of saving lives, whether we're called into the mission field or to the home, or to the business field, or whatever other field you wanna go to. We're all called to be in the business of saving souls, of bringing people into the kingdom of God.

Jerry Simmons [00:09:00]:
So Paul's goal was to cross the dividing lines that their society had to be able to reach more people. And that's what he talks about in verses 20 through 22 that all the social classes and all the different things that divided the people of that time, Paul says I I wanna go past all those things. I wanna break through those barriers and be able to minister to each of them. He lists 4 types of people. Number 1, to the Jews, he said. I wanna minister to them. Number 2, to those under the law. Number 3, to those without law.

Jerry Simmons [00:09:32]:
And then number 4, to those who are weak. The apostle Paul said, look. These are areas that are dividing us as human beings. These were things that caused division within their society, but Paul would say to you and I that the message of the cross is more important than any social division any social division. It doesn't matter what divides us as people, as a culture, as a nationality, whatever. None of that matters. The message of the cross far exceeds what divides us here on Earth. What's more important is what will divide us for eternity.

Jerry Simmons [00:10:11]:
The division between heaven and hell, that's what should be our focus, not the division here on earth. Those things don't mean anything. We need to cross those barriers, cross those lines in order to share the gospel with all those around us. So Paul says, hey, if it if they're Jews, if they're those under the law, without the law, if they're weak in the faith, I wanna be able to minister to each and every one of those, not just one group here or or pick one group and stick with that, but I want to cross those barriers, cross those things that divide. And there is much division in our society. There's much division within the body of Christ as you see the many denominations, the many divisions that even Christians will set up amongst each other and cause there to be the lack of fellowship, the discontinuation of fellowship over issues that are not important. There's much division within our society about religion, about politics, about music, about our culture, our class, or our race. There's so much within our life that can divide us and keep us from people, but the message of the cross supersedes all of that.

Jerry Simmons [00:11:13]:
In Christ, we're a new creation. 2nd Corinthians 5 17 tells us that we're a new creation in Christ, so it's no longer that I'm of this race or this gender or whatever type of class or whatever. All of that is wiped away. I'm I'm now a Christian. And in Christ, there's none of those divisions. In Colossians chapter 3 verse 11, Paul tells us that there's no there's neither Greek nor Jew nor barbarian nor Scythian, but Christ is in all, and and he wants to minister to all. So all those divisions, all those things that we set up as humans are wiped out. Those things do not and should not divide the body of Christ.

Jerry Simmons [00:11:49]:
Christ wiped out those lines, those divisions by becoming a servant. Paul followed the same example. He said, I serve all men that I might win them more, and that's what you and I are called to do, to be a servant, to wipe through to to wipe out or to break through those dividing lines by serving and taking advantage of opportunities that God gives us to minister the gospel, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Isn't this what Jesus did? We can look at his example in the gospels. You might remember the instance in John chapter 4 when Jesus was going to Jerusalem, and he went through an area known as Samaria. Now Samaria was populated by Samaritans. The Jewish people were not on good terms with the Samaritans. They were, the Jews considered them kinda like half breeds.

Jerry Simmons [00:12:36]:
They were always at odds. They hated each other, and they would not associate with the Samaritans. Jesus being a Jew, again, puts aside those things. He goes through the area of Samaria. And he runs across this woman at a well, and he asked her for some water. Now he has this conversation with her, and she's blown away for two reasons. Number 1, Jesus was a Jewish rabbi. Jewish rabbis at that time would not consider it worthwhile to talk to a woman.

Jerry Simmons [00:13:04]:
They wouldn't associate with women. It was not worth it, they would say. But Jesus, being the Jewish rabbi, says, I don't care about any of that. I have a message that's more important than any custom, than any belief, than any whatever I might have grown up with or whatever the society might say. It's more important than any of that, and so he talks with this woman. Well, not only was it that he was a Jewish rabbi talking with a woman, but she was a Samaritan. Again, Jews and Samaritans didn't have any dealings with one another. In verse 9, it says, of John chapter 4, it says, how is it that you, this is the woman asking, how is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? And it goes on to explain that Jews and Samaritans don't have any dealings together.

Jerry Simmons [00:13:47]:
They don't have any relationship or fellowship. But Jesus said it doesn't matter. None of that matters. What's important is the message that I'm here to give you, that you can have living water, that you can be forgiven of your sins. You also might remember the story in Luke chapter 10 verses 25 through 37, the story that Jesus told of the good Samaritan. And the parable he told consisted of a guy who is walking down the road going on his way, and he gets mugged. He gets robbed by some bandits. They beat him up, take everything that he has, and leave him for dead along the road.

Jerry Simmons [00:14:24]:
And along come 3 people. 1st guy to come by is a priest, one who's under the law, one who's subject to the law, one who holds fast and teaches the law. And as he comes down the road, he sees this guy beaten up, bruised on the side of the road, left for dead, and he says, oh, man. Someone needs to take care of that, but not me. I'm holy. I need to keep myself holy. And he goes on his way. Then after him comes a Levite who was also a priest, but didn't serve, in the in the area of sacrifices and at the altar within the temple, but more of the maintenance of the temple.

Jerry Simmons [00:14:59]:
So he was holy, but at the same time, he wasn't in the the the, in the duty or process of of performing sacrifices and and being within the temple. He was on the outside maintaining it. And this Levite comes by, and he kinda says the same thing. Oh, man. I need to keep myself holy. I can't help this guy. Man, someone really needs to help him, though, and he goes on his way. Then lastly, the good Samaritan, as we all know the story, comes along.

Jerry Simmons [00:15:24]:
Here's a Jewish guy in trouble. Samaritans, Jews not liking each other. No reason for him to stop, but he has compassion. And he picks him up. He takes him to an inn. He gives money to the innkeeper and says, hey. Whatever else you need to spend to to get him better, to make him well, I'll pay when I come back. And he takes care of him.

Jerry Simmons [00:15:43]:
He meets his needs. And Jesus asked the scribes, the teachers of the law who are testing him. He said, now which one of these guys was his neighbor? Them being adherence of the law, they look at the priest, the Levite, and they say, well, they can't be called his neighbor, but the Samaritan. And I'm sure it hurt them to the very core to say that this Samaritan was the guy's neighbor, but they knew that was the the point of Jesus' story. Those dividing lines, those things do not matter. What's more important is doing the ministry, the work of Jesus Christ. And then Jesus looked at him and said, go and do likewise. Go and do likewise.

Jerry Simmons [00:16:23]:
Love your neighbor as yourself. So Paul here is really saying and telling us the same thing that that Jesus explained to us. There's none of those lines. We don't need to worry about those things. In verse 22, he says, I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. He he's desperate here. He said, all things to all men that I might by all means save some. It's all all all.

Jerry Simmons [00:16:48]:
All he's wanting to do, all he cares about is bringing people into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Now he says, I've become all things to all men. Now some people have used the scripture as a license to sin, or they've accused Paul of having a double standard, but it's not true. Basically, what he's saying is this. Look. Whatever I can find in order to be able to relate, to be able to share the gospel, to have that open door, that opportunity, I'm gonna use that. If I'm talking to a Jewish person Jewish person, Paul says, I'm gonna talk about things that the Jewish people are concerned about. I'm gonna talk about the patriarchs.

Jerry Simmons [00:17:23]:
I'm gonna talk about the old testament and the things that God has done with the Jewish people, and I'm gonna use that to minister and to share the love of Jesus Christ. If I'm talking to someone who's under the law and strictly adheres to the law, well, I'm gonna talk about the things of the law. I'm gonna talk to a lawyer as one who understands the law, and I'm gonna explain from the law about Jesus Christ. He goes on to say, if I'm talking to those who are not under the law, then I'm gonna talk about not the law because they're not under the law. They don't care about the law. I'm gonna talk about God. I'm gonna talk about creation. I'm gonna talk about things in their life that will lead me to being able to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jerry Simmons [00:18:05]:
Paul says if they're weak, I'm gonna deal with them. I'm gonna become weak with them that I might build them up, that they might grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. Paul says, I wanna become all things to all men, that all those around me would no one understand what god has done. So we too as Christians today need to wipe out the barriers, the walls, the dividing lines, whatever it is in our society that tells us, hey. This kind of person isn't really someone I should minister to. I'm too old to talk to this person or that person. They don't relate to me. I don't understand them, whatever the case may be.

Jerry Simmons [00:18:41]:
Man, they're just really from a different culture. It doesn't matter. None of those things are true in Christ. None of those divisions should still be there because Christ has wiped them out, and the message of the cross is more important. So when we're with the Jews, let's talk about the things that the Jewish people are concerned about. When we're with the the lawyers, let's talk about the law. Let's use it as an opportunity to share the love of Christ. You're talking to musicians, talk about music.

Jerry Simmons [00:19:08]:
You're talking to skateboarders, talk about skateboarding. You're talking to athletes, talk about sports. Whatever it is, whatever opportunity you can do, use it for the glory of God to bring them to salvation. That was Paul's goal. Whatever I need to do to win souls, that's what I'm gonna do. Whatever I need to talk about and share with them about, that's what I'm gonna do. Not that he would break God's law, that he would sin against God, that he would use those opportunities, use those things that he could to share the gospel with all who would listen. Is that your heart? Is that my heart? Is that our desire? Warren Wiersbe states that a good witness tries to build bridges and not walls.

Jerry Simmons [00:19:47]:
A good witness tries to build bridges and not walls in our relationships with our coworkers, with our family, with our friends, with people we run into wherever we might be. Our goal, our desire should be to build bridges, that we would be able to cross them and share with them Jesus Christ. Not walls, not division, not separating us from them, but bridges that we might have opportunity to share with them, to minister to them, to become a servant to them. That's what we need to do. So to the Jews, be as a Jew. To those under the law, be as under the law. To those without the law, be as without the law. To those who are weak, remember that Paul was talking in chapter 8 about the weak.

Jerry Simmons [00:20:32]:
That's what brought up this whole conversation that he's dealing with in chapter 9. That those who are weak and saying, hey, I can't eat food sacrificed to idols. Paul would say, okay, great. I'll not eat it with you, and I'll encourage you, and I'll spend time with you. Rather than saying, well, I have the right, and, you know, if you don't want to, you go off on your own. I'm a go over my own, and we'll just go our separate ways. No. No.

Jerry Simmons [00:20:51]:
No. Become as weak. Come alongside them. Build them up. Encourage them. Strengthen them in the faith. That was Paul's goal, and so that's how we need to be. Now it's a very, well known phrase.

Jerry Simmons [00:21:02]:
You might have heard it often today. You know, when in Rome, be as the Romans. Right? It's not a license to sin again, but it's opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us. You know, pastor Pule, who, serves in the children's ministries, he gave me a new meaning to this phrase when he said, when in Rome, be as the Romans. As we're in Mexico one time, and this was a long time ago. You know, you can tease him about it if you want. But, it was a long time ago. It was before he's married, and and, we were out there on a missions trip in Mexico having a great time.

Jerry Simmons [00:21:35]:
We're getting ready to come on our way back. As we're coming back, you know how it is at the border. It's packed. And he's driving his, his truck, and and, I'm in there with him. There's a couple other guys. We're all squished in there. And we're trying to follow someone, because he wasn't exactly sure how to get out. He wasn't exactly sure which way to go and which way to turn.

Jerry Simmons [00:21:55]:
And so as we're sitting there, it's packed. We're in traffic. I think we're on, Revolucion, and we are trying to turn on to the the main exit there. And and, but we couldn't see the person because there are a couple cars ahead of us. And and we're trying to figure out, well, how are we gonna find them, and how do we gonna know where to turn? And we're, you know, kinda getting he's kinda getting worried that we're getting lost. So he goes, okay. Here's what we're gonna do. When in Mexico, drive like the Mexicans.

Jerry Simmons [00:22:18]:
And we all look at each other like, what? And he pulls onto the sidewalk, and he guns it, and he cuts around a few cars, and people are dodging and jumping out of the way. And then he gets back he gets back, right behind the car that we're supposed to follow and we're able to get out. That's what he kept saying the whole time. When in Mexico, drive like the Mexicans. So you can talk to him. I don't know what that means, but you can ask him what that means, and we're all laughing and having a good time as we're freaked out driving on the sidewalk. But we need to use opportunities, the things around us to build bridges, that we would be able to share the gospel with all of those around us, that we would be a good minister and ambassador of Jesus Christ. Well, let's go on.

Jerry Simmons [00:22:54]:
In verse 23, it says, now this I do for the gospel's sake that I may be partaker of it with you. He says, look. This is what I do. These are the things that I do. And why do I do it? Well, for the gospel's sake. I do it that I might have that opportunity, that chance to share the gospel. And he also says, and and that I might be a partaker of it. Well, in what way? Well, in the rewards that are associated with that.

Jerry Simmons [00:23:21]:
And that's what he's talking about in, the rest of the chapter verses 24 through 27, the rewards that come from running the race well. So let's read it together. Verse 24. Do you not know that those who run-in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run-in such a way that you may obtain it. Paul says this. Look. Don't you know? Don't you understand? I do all of this that I might share the gospel, that I might be a partaker of it because, look, those who run-in a race, they all run, but only one receives the prize. Only one receives the prize.

Jerry Simmons [00:23:58]:
There's not 2 winners. There's not 3 runners. Even though we have gold, silver, and bronze, there's only one winner. There's only one who receives the prize. And so Paul says, run-in such a way as to win the prize. Now this would be a very familiar example to them, because just like us, they had the Olympics. And not only did they have the Olympics, but they had the Isthmian games, which was, related to the the type of land that they were on. They were on an isthmus.

Jerry Simmons [00:24:26]:
Right? We talked about that in the first part of Corinthians. I'm sure you don't care about that, so I'm not gonna go into it. But they had every 2 years, they had these big, similar to Olympic games in the city of Corinth. And in that in those games, they would have the competitions much like we have today. They would have the running and the wrestling and and the different matches that they would do. And so as Paul's explaining this, they would very clearly understand and be able to think about, oh, yes. The ISMIA Games. I know what it's like for runners to run-in a race and to run to win.

Jerry Simmons [00:24:54]:
I've seen it in the stadiums. I've seen it in the stands. I've seen them training along the streets. I know what it's like, and and they would be able to relate very easily just like us as we've just gone through the Summer Olympics. Right? And we've seen many of the the races and the matches and the things that went on, the things that the competitions that went through. Now as you're watching the Olympics or as you were, did you notice how easy it was to do all the things that they were doing? I'm sure you didn't notice that. It's very difficult, in fact, to become the kind of athlete that it takes to get to the Olympics. If you were I wanted to go, man, we'd have to adhere to some strict training.

Jerry Simmons [00:25:32]:
We'd have to really work miracles in order for us to get there in many cases, because it's it's tough. It's not easy. It's a very difficult thing to get to the Olympics to represent your country in that way. And so Paul is saying, look. We're all in this race, and it's not an easy thing necessarily, but we're there. And as they look and they see their runners, as they see these guys, you can see in them the determination, the discipline that it took to get them there. In fact, when they're in the race, look at their faces. You can tell that they're giving it all that they got.

Jerry Simmons [00:26:06]:
Every last ounce of energy, every last muscle, they're doing whatever they can as much as it takes to be in their body so that they can get that medal, that they could finish that race, that they could win that prize. Paul says, look at their faces. Now I'm sure as you are watching the Olympics, you didn't see very many guys as they're running on the track just kinda smiling. Hey, guys. How's it going? Hey. Hey. What's up? What's up? Hey. How's it going? They they weren't just, you know, kinda enjoying life.

Jerry Simmons [00:26:35]:
Just no. What did they do? Oh, they get all crazy. Have you seen their faces? And they're just running like crazy with all they got, man. Just trying to get to that finish line, doing whatever they can, using all their energy. Paul compares the Christian life to this race. And so let me ask you, Christian brother, Christian sister, which Christian life are you living? Yeah. How's it going? Jesus loves you. How's it going? God bless you.

Jerry Simmons [00:27:02]:
Are you living the life? The life that's completely sold out, like the runner that's trying to win the race, like the runner that's using everything he can, doing every opportunity to move further in the gospel, in sharing the gospel, in being a witness for Jesus Christ. Paul says race to win. Run to win. Don't just try to get by. Don't just try to not lose, but run to win. Give it everything you got. Run-in such a way that you may obtain the prize that you may obtain the prize. Going on in verse 25, he says, and everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.

Jerry Simmons [00:27:45]:
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. He says, everyone who competes for the prize. Now the word that he used here, we don't see it in the English, but in the Greek, it's the word that they would use for wrestling matches. The word compete there, They would agonize, and it would be a a wrestling match that they would be involved in. And so just like today, they would have those back then. And Paul says, look, whoever competes and and is involved in those wrestling matches, they do it for the prize. They they compete for the prize. They don't just, you know, enjoy being tortured, but they're trying to get that goal.

Jerry Simmons [00:28:20]:
They're trying to get that prize and and win the match. But he says everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things is temperate in all things. Now they have strict rules at that time. If you're gonna be involved in their Olympic games or their ISBian games, they would have to adhere to some strict rules, not only on the field and during the match, but also involved in their training. And you might be familiar with that. Maybe you were an athlete at one time or in high school, you would, run track or play football or baseball or something, and you know what it's like that you can't just eat every Twinkie that comes along. You know, you can't just indulge in every milkshake that that you have opportunity to indulge in, but you gotta restrain. You gotta be temperate, or literally the word means to be self controlled in a way that you keep yourself from doing things that would slow you down, that would bug you down, that would hinder your performance as an athlete.

Jerry Simmons [00:29:12]:
Paul says the same thing. Every guy who competes in these games says he says they're temperate in all things. They're self controlled. They're watching out on their diet. They're watching out to make sure they get the proper rest, that they're training themselves, that they're doing everything they can to excel them in their race or in their match or in their game, whatever they're involved in. They're doing everything that they can to build up and make sure that there's nothing in them or on them or around them that will slow them down, that will hinder them from winning that race, from winning that match. Paul says, hey, I'm comparing this to the Christian life. We need to be temperate in all our things and everything, self controlled, not allowing things into our life that hold us back, that slow us down, that hinder us from being able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jerry Simmons [00:30:01]:
That's what Paul is talking about. Surrendering his rights, the things that he laid down that he would have opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are there things in your life that are bogging you down in your Christian walk? It might be television. It might be movies. It might be a relationship you're involved in. Who knows? God knows, and you know what he's been speaking to your heart. But we need to be temperate. We need to be self controlled and not allow those things to affect our walk with Jesus Christ, to not allow those things to affect our opportunities that we have to share the gospel with those around us.

Jerry Simmons [00:30:37]:
In Hebrews chapter 12 verse 12, the author of Hebrews says, hey. Since we have such a great cloud of witnesses, these guys in the Old Testament as he's pointing back in chapter 11 of Hebrews, he says, look, we have these guys who are examples who went before us, so let's be like them. Let's run the race that God has set out for us. Now he doesn't just say that though. He says, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us. We are very clear, and we know that, yeah, we gotta get the sin out of our lives. The things that God's word speaks directly against, we should not be involved in those things, And we've talked about that. But we also know from the writer of Hebrews here that there can be other things, not just sin, but there's weight many times in our life that hold us back, that bog us down, things that we should not be involved in because they hinder our relationship with Jesus Christ, or they they hinder our ability to be able to share with others.

Jerry Simmons [00:31:35]:
We need to be careful. Now you might say, well, that's that's hard. That doesn't sound like a a joyful Christian life. What are you talking about? Well, Paul says, hey. They're temperate in all things, but notice this. He says at the end of verse 25, they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. He says, look. These athletes, they do it for something that's temporary.

Jerry Simmons [00:31:59]:
They go through all this self control and all this, temperance, neglecting their well, not neglecting, but keeping themselves from things that will hinder them and hurt them in order that they would receive a temporary crown. In fact, what they received was nothing compared to what the Olympics or the Olympians receive today. We, you know, get the gold medal or silver or bronze, and it's nice. But what they would get would be a wreath that they would put on their head, and it was a wreath of leaves. And it would last, you know, a couple of days just as long as, you know, flowers and leaves last. You know that. And what they would be competing for, all they would go through for their year of training and preparation, they would just be getting this little wreath. They would just be getting that that's the only reward that they would get.

Jerry Simmons [00:32:44]:
Obviously, they get the satisfaction and, you know, the the fame or whatever that went along with it, but it was just a temporary crown that would fade away. So Paul says, look, they do all that to receive a perishable crown. But ours, the crown that we look forward to, the reward that we're running to, hoping to receive is an eternal crown. It's not a temporary thing, but it's something that will last for eternity and benefit us for eternity. In James chapter 1 verse 12, James tells us, look. If you endure temptation and you endure all these trials, you'll receive from God the crown of life. Scripture talks about different crowns. The new testament's full of it.

Jerry Simmons [00:33:27]:
Different crowns that God promises. The crown of life we see here in James 112. 2nd Timothy 4:8 tells us about the crown of righteousness. First Peter 5:4 tells us about the crown of glory. What are these crowns? What are these rewards that we'll be receiving? Well, nobody really knows. We don't know this side of eternity. We don't know exactly what that means and what that reward will be, but we do know there is that reward. There is that crown awaiting those who finish well, who run the race to win it, who compete in the match to win it.

Jerry Simmons [00:33:57]:
There's that crown of life, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory that we see throughout the New Testament. We don't know exactly what it is, but it is promised. And we can rest assured that when I run to win, I will receive a reward from Jesus Christ when he comes. Verse 26, he says, therefore, because I'm doing this for an eternal crown, because I'm doing this for something that's gonna last and benefit me for the rest of eternity, he says, therefore, I run thus, not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight not as one who beats the air. He says, look. I'm not running aimlessly. I'm not just wandering and going, oh, I hope I know where I'm going.

Jerry Simmons [00:34:36]:
No. No. No. I know where I'm going. I know my calling. I know what God has asked me to do, and I'm running with all my strength, with all my heart for that. I'm not just running aimlessly. I'm not just running with uncertainty.

Jerry Simmons [00:34:49]:
He also explained it as not as one who beats the air. Literally, the word could be translated shadow boxing. Right? You ever seen that? The Rocky videos, you know, shadow boxing. I can't do it. But shadow boxing, Paul says, look, I'm I'm not missing. I'm not just hitting an air. I'm making every move count. Everything in my life, I want it to be productive and for a purpose.

Jerry Simmons [00:35:11]:
Every step is going in that direction where god has called me. I'm not wandering aimlessly. I'm not just throwing blows at the wind. I'm doing everything with a purpose. The purpose of finishing well, of finishing the race, and bringing glory to the name of Jesus Christ, bringing people to the saving knowledge of him. So he goes on in verse 27, he says, but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. He says I discipline my body. I keep it under subjection, which means I rule my body.

Jerry Simmons [00:35:48]:
I rule my sinful nature, my flesh. I don't allow it to rule me. Now this is a difficult thing for us as Christians because our sinful nature is strong. Our flesh is strong. That's why we all know the phrase the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We all know that because it's true. Our flesh is weak, and our well, our flesh wants to rule, and our spirit's weak. Our flesh wants to rule.

Jerry Simmons [00:36:13]:
Our flesh wants us to give in to the sinful desires, the cravings. Our flesh wants to rule our bodies, and it gives us plenty of excuses, doesn't it? We have plenty of excuses as Christians of why we didn't do our devotions this morning, of why we haven't witnessed to this person or that person, of why we weren't at church on Sunday or Wednesday or Thursday or whenever we were supposed to be here. There's plenty of excuses that we have, and our flesh continues to pour them out. Oh, man. Because you're tired. You you had a rough night. You worked hard. They're not probably gonna listen to you anyways.

Jerry Simmons [00:36:50]:
Why bother witness? Whatever the case may be, we have plenty of excuses of why we don't do the things that we're called to do. But Paul says, look. I'm not that way. I put my body under subjection. I rule my body. When I don't feel like it, I tell my body, so what? I don't care if you don't feel like it. Read your bible. Spend time with God because that's more important than how I feel.

Jerry Simmons [00:37:10]:
I witness. I share the gospel because that's what I'm called to do, Paul says. I put my body under subjection. I don't give in to the desires. If you wanna practice this, try fasting. Try fasting. Say no to your body. Say no to the cravings of the flesh for a meal, for a day, for 2 days, however long the Lord puts upon your heart.

Jerry Simmons [00:37:29]:
Practice putting your body under subjection that you would be training yourself up to be able to run the race to win, to win the prize, that you'd be able to compete in order to win because that's what you and I are called to do. We're to follow the example of the apostle Paul. He says I do this. I bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Now he's not talking about losing salvation here. He's talking about losing the reward. Paul's goal, Paul's desire was to minister the gospel, to share the gospel, to preach the news that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and my sins to everyone who would give him the opportunity. Every chance he got, every opportunity he got, he would use it and do it for the glory of God so that he could get the reward, the reward that comes when Jesus Christ comes, the reward that will be given at the coming of Christ as we meet him in the air, or we go to meet with him in eternity.

Jerry Simmons [00:38:31]:
That's what Paul's goal was. That's what Paul's aim was. That's what he was desiring. This morning, we have the opportunity to celebrate in communion together, and the guys are gonna come forward and and get ready. And I I ask you, as we prepare to celebrate and partake of communion together, isn't it about time that we go all out for Jesus? Isn't it about time that we stop living our compromising casual Christian lives and be committed in our walk and our relationship with Jesus Christ? Isn't it about time that we follow the advice and the command of the apostle Paul that we run-in such a way as to obtain the prize, laying aside the weight, laying aside the sin, the things that drag us down, and run the race to win. Why? Well, that's what Jesus Christ did for you and me. He ran the race to win, and he won the battle for you and I. Turn with me if you can real quick to Matthew chapter 16.

Jerry Simmons [00:39:34]:
Matthew chapter 16. Matthew chapter 16 verses 24 through 27 says this, then Jesus said to his disciples, if anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Notice this verse 27. For the son of man will come in the glory of his father with his angels, and he will reward each according to his works. Jesus here as he talks to his to his disciples says, look. If anyone wants to come after me, if you wanna be my disciple, this is what you gotta do. You have to take up your cross like I'm taking up my cross, and you gotta follow me.

Jerry Simmons [00:40:42]:
Whatever desires, whatever goals, whatever will, whatever plan you have for your life, nail it to the cross. Put it on the cross with all your cares, all your burdens, and follow me. Take it up and follow me. Take your life, hand it over to me, and follow me. Jesus said, look. If you wanna be my disciple, that's what you gotta do. There's no other way. You gotta follow me.

Jerry Simmons [00:41:04]:
You gotta do as I did and sacrifice your life in service for others. He says that's what's gonna happen when Jesus comes is you'll get a reward. He says in end of verse 27, he will reward each according to his works. That's what we look for. That's what we hope for, the coming of Jesus Christ. Now the apostle Paul earlier in Corinthians had explained, look, some are gonna get there. They're gonna get to heaven as through fire. Meaning because all the things that they did, all the good things and all the things they did were not for the right reasons, weren't for the glory of God.

Jerry Simmons [00:41:36]:
They weren't living all out for him, but they were just trying to get by. And so they're gonna get there by the skin of their teeth. They're still gonna be smoking a little bit coming from from the top. But Paul said, that's not the entrance into the kingdom of god that I want. Is that the entrance to the kingdom of god that you want? Paul says, I want the glorious entrance to be welcomed in by Jesus Christ saying, well done, my good and faithful servant. As we partake of communion together, the guys are gonna pass it out. And I ask you as they're passing it out, as you're worshiping, to do 3 things. To reflect on the work that Jesus did on the cross.

Jerry Simmons [00:42:18]:
Reflect on your life, and if you're living the race that God has called you to live, also recommit recommit your life to him. Recommit your heart to him. And thirdly, to follow Him. As Jesus Christ said, if you wanna come after Me, if you wanna be My disciple, take up your cross, the blood and the body the body that we're holding today, and follow Me. Follow Me. So let's worship the Lord.

Speaker C [00:42:55]:
You thought of me that day on Calvary. You shared your plan so I can be free. Be free. You thought of me that day on Calvary. You share your plan thank you for loving me. Thank you for setting me free. I love you. I love you, but not as much as you love me.

Speaker C [00:44:32]:
I was bought for a price when you lay down your life. Now there will be a day when I will see your face. Why would you die for me? I will never run just Became sin for me. Now I've been set free. I love you. You died for me. Why would you die for me? I will never run. Just stay.

Speaker C [00:46:25]:
All that me. You were sky for me. I love you. You became sand for me. Now I've been set free. I love you. Setting me free. I love you.

Speaker C [00:48:11]:
I love you, but not as much as you love me.

Jerry Simmons [00:48:34]:
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread. And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same manner, he also took the cup after supper saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till he comes. The elements that you hold now, the bread and the cup in your hand, are symbolic.

Jerry Simmons [00:49:17]:
They represent Jesus Christ dying on the cross, that we could have forgiveness of sin, that we could have fellowship with God, that we could have peace that passes all understanding, that we could experience love, the only the kind of love that only God can give. This morning, you might be here, and you might have never accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and lord. You've never been born again. You can do it this morning right now by saying in your heart, believing in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and asking him for forgiveness, asking him to change your life. Many of us this morning here are believers. We've accepted Jesus Christ. Maybe been walking for the Lord for some time, but we need to be refreshed in our relationship. We need to be recommitted in running the race, in being victorious in our Christian life, in laying aside those things that we would go all out for Jesus Christ, that we would take up our cross and follow him once again.

Jerry Simmons [00:50:18]:
So this morning, spend a few moments just in quiet before the lord. Allow him to speak to you, and in a few moments, we'll partake together, representing symbolic, showing, and saying to the lord that, yes, lord. We believe you died on the cross. We wanna take up our cross and follow you. So spend a few moments with the lord.

FerventWord Narrator [00:50:45]:
We pray you have been blessed by this Bible teaching. The power of God to change a life is found in the daily reading of his word. Visit FerventWord.com to find more teachings and Bible study resources.