We are in a spiritual race1 Cor. 9:24-27

•Challenges•Stakes

If Paul had to discipline himself,So must we!

•Not better than Paul•Not in a different world•Not in a different race

Every athletic race has rules•100-yard dash

100 yardsStart lineStarting gunFinish line

Every athletic race has rules•Olympic mile

5,280 feetOval trackStarting line & timeID numberChemical blood tests

Every athletic race has rules•Boston Marathon

26 miles, 385 yardsSet route

Every athletic race has rules•Boston Marathon

26 miles, 385 yardsSet routeQualify by age & timeID numberStart time

Race for our soul has standards1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25

•Start: obedienceMk. 16:16

Race for our soul has standards1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25

•Course: Narrow wayMt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4-6

One body, Col. 3:15One Spirit, 1 Cor. 2:10; 14:33One hope, Eph. 1:18-20One Lord, Jn. 14:6

Race for our soul has standards1 Cor. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:5; Jas. 1:25

•Course: Narrow wayMt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4-6

One faith, 1 Pt. 1:13-16One baptism, Acts 2:38One God, Jn. 17:3

An easier path may be found•Less resistance•Less effort•More companions•No prize

Run with diligence or be lost•Without diligence, no restHeb. 4:11•Patient continuance, lifeRom. 2:6-10

Learn from biblical examples•AbrahamHeb. 11:8, 9•Paul1 Cor. 8:13; 9•JesusHeb. 12:1, 2; Phil. 2:5-8

Sacrifice is necessaryHeb. 12:1, 2; Mk. 9:43-48

•Sin1 Pt. 4:3, 4•Every weight

EntertainmentRecreationAssociation

Jesus had one goal – finish God’s work•Sustained Him in lifeJn. 4:34•Carried Him through deathJn. 17:4, 5

There is a costLk. 14:28, 29

•Study•Prayer•Worship

The faithfully run race will not be in vain•Crown of righteousness2 Tim. 4:7, 8•Crown of lifeJas. 1:12•Crown of glory1 Pt. 5:4•Imperishable crown1 Cor. 9:25

We are in a spiritual race1 Cor. 9:24-27

•Challenges•Stakes

If Paul had to discipline himself,So must we!

•Not better than Paul•Not in a different world•Not in a different race