Friday, July 24, 2015

Runner's Bible Study: Run to Win


Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24, NASB95)

I distinctly recall the first time that I heard 1 Corinthians 9:24 as a stand-alone passage for runners. We gathered in a teammate’s home to devour spaghetti the night before a cross country meet near the end of the season; crunch-timethe state meet—quickly approached.

While I initially grasped the direct message of the verse, I automatically assumed that this passage verified the innate desire for our team to win.


Let’s begin with an overview of the Corinth and the book of 1 Corinthians.

Introduction


(written for an assignment for Dr. Stan Tousaint)


Corinth—a city of Achaia—located between the Aegean and the Adriatic Seas with proficient commercial imports and exports, enjoyed significant economic benefits. Corinth served as the hub for all north and south tertiary travel, including the pathway to Athens.[1] Early history indicates Corinth’s industry comprised of ship manufacturing, “pottery, bronze metal work, and decorative handicraft.”[2] Romans destroyed Corinth in 146 B.C., plundering the city’s amazing art. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar sent discharged military veterans to Corinth in an effort to rebuild the city.

Eventually the city’s population and attractiveness exceeded the original. Unfortunately, idolatry, “luxury, pride, vanity, effeminacy, greed”[3] and immorality also thrived. A plethora of shrines and temples included Apollo and Poseidon, the goddess of love—Temple of Aphrodite—which provided a home for approximately one-thousand religious prostitutes.[4]

This temple stood on a 2,000-foot elevated granite mound, otherwise known as Acrocorinth which served as the acropolis—literally high city—for defense. 1 Sufficiency of space enabled this as the refuge for Corinth’s citizens, and the surrounding rural population in the event of an enemy attack. Secular principles infiltrated the Corinthian church, directing the members’ thoughts, decisions and resulting actions. Paul lived and preached for eighteen months in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:11).

The Lord used a night vision during this visit in AD 51 to instruct Paul to preach with assurance of safety (Acts 18:10). During Paul’s initial visit to Corinth he met fellow tent makers and believers, Aquila and Priscilla. A Pauline authorship date of 54 or 55 AD from Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, proves congruent with most scholars.

Purpose


(Written for an assignment for Dr. Stan Tousaint)


Paul writes with applied directives of corrective Biblical principles for the local Corinthian church. The aforementioned secularism infiltrated the church. Chloe’s household (1 Cor. 1:11-12) and Apollos who returned to Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:12),[5] each sent Paul letters expressing concern of this secularism causing division in the church. Other letters may have existed.

Human generated wisdom began replacing wisdom from the Spirit of God, with causative effects of intra-church lawsuits, division, immorality, idolatry, denial of the Resurrection and secularizing communion. Additionally, three men from Corinth came to Paul, apparently presenting him with a letter of inquisitions (1 Cor. 7:1; 16:7). Paul clearly articulates the significance of sanctification and unity.

Questions and Discussion



  1. What does “run the race” refer to in regards to both individual Christians and the local Church in Corinth?
    1. Does the preceding verse, 1 Co 9:23, affect the interpretation and application of 1 Co 9:24?
    2. Does this principle of “run the race” apply to our lives in 2015 and beyond?
      1. If so, how and why?
        1. Professionally
        2. Personally
  2. Why does Paul use the analogy of running a race?
    1. How does the definition and action of Run compare to Walk?
  3. How do we discipline our body in running?
  4. How does this affect our daily decisions?
  5. What, if any, sacrifices do we make to run to win (run our best) a race?
  6. How do or should we discipline our body in regards to running and becoming a partaker of the gospel?
  7. How does this affect our day to day choices?
  8. What similarities do we find in our response to #4 with choices regarding our running for the sake of the gospel?
  9. How does our conduct and interactions at races affect how others perceive Christ?
    1.  What steps may we take to increase our striving to live for the sake of the gospel?
  10. Whether running a race or living our daily life, should we using “winning” or “losing” right as stand-alone standards to measure our value?
  11. Reflect back over the past week, month or year and share or write out how you chose the incorruptible prize over the corruptible and vice versa.
  12. Reflect again on how God used one of your perceived failures to serve and glorify Him and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rights of an Apostle 9:1-27


(Written for an assignment for Dr. Stan Tousaint)


Paul illustrates applying the principle of love preceding knowledge within Christian liberty. The first issue focuses on his financial support from those whom he shares the gospel, including as a spiritual mentor.
He lays out six reasons for paying him:
  1. His apostleship
  2. Common for workers to receive pay
  3. God’s law allows monetary pay
  4. Other leaders receive payments for their services
  5. A widespread practice
  6. Jesus approves it.[6]
Expecting affirmative responses, Paul rhetorically addresses his freedom, apostleship, seeing Christ, and preaching the gospel in Corinth during his second missionary journey which generated the believers whom he now writes. He continues by giving examples and asking questions to further his point of each of the six reasons. The Corinthian church had questioned its responsibilities of supporting Paul’s ministry. Paul illustrates his sacrifices, such as avoiding food and drink, to prevent offending others when necessary. He also instructs this in chapter eight, as well as avoiding offending Jews in various situations, and he did this to reach non-believers.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he asks about a runner who races to win—Paul sought to win the incorruptible award in Jesus Christ. This running illustration carries power, as a runner’s training causes every fiber in their body to ache during their workouts, and throughout the day. Runners who train to win, sacrifice social and professional opportunities, and are often sick to their stomach several hours after training runs. A winning runner’s training consumes and affects every aspect of their life. A winning runner increases flexibility, and adjusts to every imaginable physical and emotional scenario.
Paul uses this extreme comparison of a runner training to win a corruptible prize to the spiritual training and life consumption necessary when seeking and preaching the incorruptible prize of Christ. The champion pastors and evangelists--including those serving in the market place--must also adapt to every imaginable scenario, increasing their flexibility in communications, and relationships. Paul concludes describing how a primary key to winning resides in controlling your body, instead of your body’s desire of controlling you, the Corinthian Christians.


Additional Notes:
1) Men gave and received a pine wreath that represented the crown for winning a race in Corinth's stadium during the biennial games. Paul illustrates that this pine wreath is a temporary, corruptible crown.


2) Conversely, Christ presents incorruptible, eternal crowns (3:13–14; 2 Cor. 5:10). "Paul’s crown would be the consummation of the reward (1 Cor. 9:18) he partially enjoyed, the opportunity to glory before Christ in those he had been able to win (2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thes. 2:19)." Bible Knowledge Commentary

Running on Faith Ministry Inc. passionately focuses on Discipleship and Evangelism with runners. You are welcome to join Running on Faith Ministry in serving God through evangelism and discipleship of runners either as a Runner or through your Prayer and Financial Support.

While waiting for the Elite Runner shuttle to pick us at the airport, these Kenyans graciously agree to take their picture with my nephew's "Flat Stanley". We later enjoyed powerful discussions of the Gospel, Family, Farming, Fishing and Running.
We prayerfully, joyfully and gratefully desire that you diligently pray like Solomon (a) for a hearing heart (1 Kings 3:9), responding to God's desire placed on your heart.
Support the Running on Faith Ministry share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Runners around the globe.

Click on the button below to make a monthly or one time donation. We highly value any amount that you feel led to invest. We appreciate your partnership as we seek to eternally, through the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, impact lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.


http://www.rickemeyer.com/running-on-faith.htm
Award Winning Speaker, Certified Trainer and Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, Rick E. Meyer illustrates Biblical truth and love as the foundation of enduring success in business, academics, athletics and all relationships. During his uplifting presentations, Rick connects these truths to creating success in our daily lives, sending listeners away with the ability to imagine greatness while encouraging them to trust God in Christ.


[1] (MacAurthur 1984, vii, viii)
[2] (Coffman 1984, 03)
[3] (Pringle n.d., 38)
[4] (Boa, et al. 1997, 1252)
[5] (D. S. Toussaint 2012, Class Notes)
[6] (MacAurthur 1984, 200)

No comments:

Post a Comment