Disputable Discipline

Disputable Discipline

Part of Embodied Spirituality—A Study of First Corinthians

August 6, 2023

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1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I. The indisputable need for discipline (vv. 24-25)
• The Christian life, like all meaningful things,

discipline.
• The purpose of competition is to

and to

.
• Life and eternity is about

and

.
• Self-control is a

of the Spirit essential for winning at life and faith (1 Tim. 4:8).
• Christians need self-control to not be distracted from the

or the

.
• Effective evangelism will be

and

.
• Self-discipline is not a

of freedom, but rather the

of freedom to accomplish something of value.
II. The indisputable possibility of disqualification (vv. 26-27)
• The discipline of training develops necessary focus for

.
• If we neglect our spiritual training we can lose the prize of

.
•

discipline establishes the foundational reality of

discipline.
• To reject biblically prescribed

as morally outdated, is justification of the rejection of all other biblical commands.
• Our salvation can be

by us or

by God.
•

is an unsound doctrine that leads to exploitation of God.
•

is an unsound doctrine that leads to exploitation of humans.
• Relational security with God or people is based on

to love commitments. (3:15, 6:9, 7:9)