The Imperishable Crown 1 Corinthians 9 18 27

The Imperishable Crown 1 Corinthians 9: 18 -27

The Imperishable Crown Context, Discipline, Direction 1 Corinthians 9: 18 -27 Intro John Stephen Akhwari “My country did not send me 5000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5000 miles to finish the race. ” The last marathoner.

1 Corinthians 9: 18 -27 Hebrews 12: 1, 2 & 2 Timothy 4: 7 A brief review… Rewards are in the future and God distributes them. Jesus matt 6: 1, 2, 5, 16 -18. The examples of rewards in Paul’s epistles are often sports metaphors. 1 Cor 9: 24 -27

The Crown of Thorns — Mk 15: 17 The Imperishable Crown — 1 Cor 9: 24 -27 The Crown of Joy—Phil 4: 1; 1 Thess 2: 19, 20 The Crown of Righteousness— 2 Tim 4: 7, 8 The Crown of Life—James 1: 12 The Crown of Glory— 1 Peter 5: 1 -4 Smyrna—Rev 2: 10 & Philadelphia—Rev 3: 11

Diadem—Rev 19: 11, 12. Symbol of royalty for Jesus alone. Stephanos– represents worthy service. The Imperishable Stephanos 1 Cor 9: 24 -27 1 Cor 8: 1 1 Cor 4: 1, 2; 4: 11 -13; 4: 16; 4: 18 1 Cor 15: 17, 19

Paul describing his journey 1 Cor 9: 19 -23 The Imperishable Stephanos 1 Cor 9: 24 -27 Paul’s point: The essentials that make a winning athlete makes a stephanos believer.

What it takes… Application Discipline 1 Cor 9: 25— agonizomai — agonize Most of us are unable to grasp the hours of agony that go into athletic training. This one thing I do not the 15~20 things that I dabble in. Discipline in itself does not produce maturity, we grow in Christ as we trust and depend on Jesus.

What it takes… Application Direction 1 Cor 9: 26 …as not with out aim But with direction… Phil 3: 12 -14 Moses —Hebrews 11: 24 -26

What it takes… Application Determination Hebrews 12: 1, 2 1. Keep the weight down. 2. Keep our feet free. 3. Keep our eyes on Jesus.