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Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Run to Win 2 - The Secret to Spiritual Success" 
series: Sage Advice for a Godly Life
Sunday, June 6, 2004 

Key Scriptures: Running the Race 
Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:24; Gal. 5:7; Phil. 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:7,8; Heb. 12:1-3 

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (page 1134 in pew Bible)
Success Principle #1 - Purpose to Win vs. 24
Success Principle #2 - Prepare to Win vs. 25
Success Principle #3 - Plan to Win vs. 26-27

1 Corinthians 9:24-27--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. 
²⁵Everyone 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. 
²⁶Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 
²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

1. Purpose to Win: What is the prize we must purpose to win? (1 Cor. 9:24) 

1. Our goal is to intimately know Christ and to share in His Way of Life. (Phil. 3:10) 
2. Jesus and His likeness are both the goal and the prize. (Phil. 3:12-14) 
3. Godliness is our finishing line. (1 Tim. 4:8) 

2. Prepare to Win: Why are spiritual disciplines so important? (1 Cor. 9:25) 

1.  It is the command of Scripture. 

1. We are to train ourselves to be godly. (1 Tim. 4:7,8) 
2. God’s Word will train us in godliness. (2 Tim. 3:16) 
3. We train to receive an eternal crown. (1 Cor. 9:25) 

2. It was the example of Jesus’ life. 

1. Jesus prepared Himself for life’s major challenges by intensely engaging in 
   spiritual disciplines. (Matt. 4:1,2; Mark 14:32-41; Luke 23:34) 
2. Jesus was prepared for life’s normal challenges because He regularly 
   practiced spiritual disciplines. (Matt. 6:5,16; Luke 11:1; Matt. 14:23; 
   Luke 22:39-46; Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46; John 6:15,17; 7:53-8:1; Luke 9:28,37) 

3. It was the pattern of Paul’s life. 

1. Paul and the early church practiced the same disciplines 
   and adopted Jesus’ Way of Life. (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; Acts 13:2) 
2. Paul disciplined his body to serve Christ. (1 Cor. 9:27) 
3. Paul practiced many spiritual disciplines. (Acts 9:9,11; Gal. 1:16-18; 
   1 Cor. 9:19; 1 Cor. 15:30) 

3. Plan to Win: What is God’s plan for training us to be godly? (1 Cor. 9:26,27) 

1. Regular and consistent practice of these Disciplines of Abstinence will train us in godly living and make us like Christ: 

1. Solitude 
2. Silence 
3. Fasting 
4. Frugality 
5. Chastity 

2. Regular and consistent practice of these Disciplines of Engagement will train us in godly living and make us like Christ: 

1. Study 
2. Worship 
3. Celebration 
4. Service 
5. Prayer 
6. Fellowship 

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The Disciplines of Abstinence
As a Christian, I too must enter strict training...training in godliness (I Tim. 4:7,8). To run the race to win, I must cease... 

1. Being mastered by my schedule, the tyranny of the urgent, and anything else that steals me away from focusing on God, my family, and God's priorities for my life. That's why I practice the discipline of solitude. 

2. Being mastered by all the voices and noises of this world that confuse my mind and make it difficult to hear the voice of God. That's why I practice the discipline of silence. 

3. Being mastered by food and fleshly appetites that try to make me forget that my daily sustenance comes from God alone. That's why I practice the discipline of fasting. 

4. Being mastered by the materialistic things and the pursuit of pleasure which make me numb to the needs of others and the life of simplicity that Christ lived. That's why I practice the discipline of frugality. 

5. Being mastered by sexual thoughts or acts which if given a chance will dominate my relationships and destroy my ability to love as Jesus loved. That's why I practice the discipline of chastity. 

6. Being mastered by the need to be noticed and applauded which disqualifies my good deeds in the Lord's eyes and keeps me from serving as Jesus served. That's why I practice the discipline of secrecy. 

7. Being mastered by self-preservation, self-sufficiency, and self-centeredness which erodes my faith and dependence on God. That is why I practice the discipline of sacrifice. 

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The Disciplines of Engagement 

A. These disciplines should be practiced daily: 

Why Study? (Bible study, memory & meditation.)
Studying God's Word focuses my life on knowing God's Will, distinguishing God's wisdom from the world's delusion, and on learning to live a life of godliness. 

Why Worship? (Personally ascribing worth to God.)
Worship focuses my life on living to proclaim His wonder and majesty. 

Why Prayer? (Conversing, communicating with God.)
Prayer focuses my life on communicating, co-laboring, and living in communion with God. 

Why Service? (Ministering to others & for God's Kingdom.)
Service focuses my life on living each day to bless others without expectation of anything in return. 

B. These disciplines should be practiced weekly:
Why Celebrate? (Holy delight in God & His goodness.)
Celebration focuses my life on rejoicing in the great things God has done and refusing to live a life of despair or hopelessness.. 

Why Fellowship? (Worship & service with other disciples.)
Fellowship focuses my life on being a faithful member of the Body of Christ. 

C. These disciplines should be practiced as needed:
Why Confession? (Transparently confiding in trusted disciples.)
Confession focuses my life on righteous living and strengthens me as I reach out to mature Christians for encouragement, accountability, and prayer support. 

Why Submission? (Receiving counsel from mature disciples.)
Submission focuses my life on becoming like Christ and grows me in humility as I willingly receive godly counsel from mature Christians.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Bounds, E.M. Power Through Prayer. Grand Rapids: Bake Books, 1972.
Bridges, Jerry. The Practice of Godliness. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1983.
Bridges, Jerry. The Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1978.
Eastman, Dick. No Easy Road. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1971.
Eastman, Dick. The Hour that Changes the World. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1978.
Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1978.
Foster, Robert. The Navigator. Colorado Spring, CO: NavPress, 1983.
Fox, John. edited by Forbush, William Byron. Fox's Book of Martyrs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1926.
Henrichsen, Walter. Disciples Are Made, Not Born. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1974.
Hybels, Bill. Honest to God? Becoming an Authentic Christian. Grand Rapids. Zondervan, 1990.
Hybels, Bill. Too Busy Not to Pray. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Lehmann, Danny. Before you Hit the Wall, Shaping Up Spiritually to Win. Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 1991.
MacDonald, Gordon. Ordering Your Private World. Nashville, TN: Oliver Nelson, 1984.
Murray, Andrew. With Christ in the School of Prayer. Old Tappan, NJ: Flemming H. Revell, 1953.
Nee, Watchman. Practical Issues of this Life. New York: Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1975.
Nee, Watchman. Spiritual Authority. New York: Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1972.
Ortberg, John. The Life You've Always Wanted. Grand Rapids. Zondervan, 1997.
Ortiz, Juan Carlos. Disciple. Carol Stream, IL: Creation House, 1975.
Palmer, Earl. The 24 Hour Christian. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Phillips, J.B. Your God is Too Small. New York: MacMillan, 1961.
Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization. New York: Currency Doubleday, 1990.
Taylor, Richard Shelley. The Disciplined Life. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1962.
Tozer, A.W. Gems from Tozer. Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, Inc, 1969.
Trueblood, Elton. The Company of the Committed. San Francisco, Harper & Row, 1961.
Verwer, George. Hunger for Reality. 2nd British Ed. Bromley, Kent, England: STL Books, 1972.
White, John. Daring to Draw Near. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1977.
White, John. The Cost of Commitment. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1976.
Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines. San Francisco: Harper, 1988.

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(See also 2 Peter 1:5-8 and Galatians 5:22,23) 

...we will not drift into godliness, we must decide to discipline ourselves... 

Small Group Discussion Questions: 

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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