I Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)

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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I run thus:

I Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)

not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

A KEY TO SUCCESSI Corinthians 9:24-27

A Key To Success Another year is coming to a close and

a new one is right around the corner We know that this is the time of year

when new hopes, dreams and goals are imagined

Some will go so far as to write down these goals with the determination to follow through with them

A Key To Success How many times have we, or someone

we know, embarked upon a new year with dreams of greatness, only to not follow through or achieve those things

It seems as though it happens too many times

The question is, how can we make 2014 different?

A Key To Success We want to achieve success in

the upcoming year with all of our goals

There are many “keys” to success that we could focus on

However, this one is really a key ingredient that many are missing from their lives that cause them to fail

A Key To Success The key ingredient that I am

speaking of is discipline We all have some form of discipline However, we need to gain more if

we wish to accomplish our goals What can we learn about discipline?

God Speaks Paul, an inspired writer, spoke of

the idea of discipline in I Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul said those who compete are temperate in all things

Temperate (egkrateuomai) = to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity); can contain; to exhibit self-government

God Speaks These athletes had a goal; they

wanted to win the prize To do that they disciplined themselves

and did not partake of wine, unhealthy foods, or satisfy fleshly desires

Paul here is comparing our spiritual striving to athletes who compete for a prize

God Speaks “But I discipline my body…” Discipline (hypopiazo) = to hit

under the eye; to tease or annoy (into compliance); subdue (one’s passions); beat black and blue (handle it roughly, discipline by hardships)

Pain is what stands out about this word

God Speaks Discipline is not a pleasant thing “Now no chastening (discipline)

seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11)

God Speaks Discipline is certainly not easy Those athletes who desire to win

a prize that is perishable are willing to discipline themselves and suffer just to win

We who are striving for an imperishable crown, are we also willing to discipline ourselves and suffer just to win?

Our Goals If we have specific goals for our

lives, it will take discipline to achieve them

If you want to lose a few pounds, you won’t do it by hitting up the buffet or sitting around on the couch

If you want to be debt free, you won’t do it by buying name brands and eating out

Our Goals Whatever we want to do in this

life, it will require some measure of discipline

If you wish to read your Bible and grow your faith, it will take discipline

You might miss out on time in front of your television, an extra 30 minutes or hour of sleep, or surfing the web

Our Goals If you wish to have a better

prayer life, it will take discipline You might need to take the time

to have a prayer journal to list those you pray for

It might mean getting off by yourself for some time to do this (Matt. 14:23; Mk. 1:35; Lk. 6:12)

Our Goals If you want to be a better

servant like Dorcas or a better encourager like Barnabas, it will take discipline

That means that it won’t be easy and it may cost us in some area

If we are willing to surrender our all to God, then it should be worth it

The Prize Discipline that is carried through

brings about the desired results The person who watches what

they eat and exercises will fell better and can add years to their lives

The person who lives frugally can retire and enjoy life at a younger age

The Prize Discipline in our spiritual life can

bring about the desired results If we will buckle down and study

God’s word, we will grow in our faith and walk with Him

If we are diligent in our prayer life we will find blessings for ourselves and others

The Prize We strive for an imperishable

crown Our reward is in heaven, but we

must show discipline in order to receive it

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (Js. 1:12)