Run to win

Run to win

1 Cor 9:24-27

Run in such a way that you may receive the prize.

Everyone of us is already in the race.

We are racing/ competing against ourselves (it's a competition between our spirit and our flesh)

1. Run to win the prize.

Don't just become a regular christian (maksudnya kristen yg biasa2 aja). There's an assignment for each one of us.

What's the prize?

Four Crowns:

- Crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:7-8)

FIght against temptation. Seek to be blameless and righteous. Bring glory to God by the way we live.

- Crown of life (Rev 2:10)

For those who endures trials and tribulation for God. Suffers injustice for God's sake.

- Crown of rejoicing (1 Tes 2:19-20)

Crown for soul winners.

- Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1-4)

The shepherd's crown. When you lead a young christian into maturity.

At the end there'll be an award ceremony in heaven.

2. Pay the price.

Train hard.

1 Cor 9:27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest , when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

Athletes: need to train very hard, eat well, sleep well -> need to lead a very disciplined life to be successful (need hard work as well not only talents)

The gift God gives us will only carry us so far but it requires discipline as well. Discipline your body. All things are lawful but not everything is beneficial. Keep the prize in your mind -> requires us to say no to unnecessary things which distracts us from our race.

We have a coach -> the Holy Spirit. He will stretch our endurance.

3. Finish Strong

It is not about your start but how you finish the race. But how do you know when's your finish line (pas kita meninggal maksudnya), so continually race well.

Forget on what's behind. Focus on the finish line.

Secret: (a) Don't get distracted. Stay focus.

(b) Don't get discouraged.

Everything on earth is temporary. Therefore all the difficult things in life is temporary.

Even in this lifetime God will multiply what we have sacrificed 100 fold return on earth and in heaven so, ngak bakalan sampe susah2 amat deh gt. God wants us to enjoy our life too....

(c) Don't get disqualified.

Contohnya yg tour de france ada org yg sudah leading sampe hari ke 16 out of 20 days but because of smth (dia ngak ke trace ada dimana pas a few days before the race, dia get disqualified padahal udah susah2 cape2 jadi leading man up to hari ke 16)

Conclusion: Run in such a way to win the prize. Pay the prize and finish strong

So run the race well and I hope we finish strong at the end - Sept 2nd. Btw tgl Sept 3 labor day jd gw libur :)

Salam kasih,