OCTOBER 15, 2024
READ: 1 Corinthians 9 (Focus v. 24-27)
MEMORY VERSE
“I discipline my body and keep it under control.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 esv
BACKGROUND
It was June 2016 during the official celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s ninetieth birthday. From her carriage, the monarch waved to the crowds, passing in front of long lines of red-coated soldiers standing at perfect, unflinching attention.
It was a warm day in England, and the guards were dressed in their traditional dark wool pants, wool jackets buttoned to the chin, and massive bear-fur hats. As the soldiers stood in rigid rows under the sun, one guard began to faint.
Remarkably, he maintained his strict control and simply fell forward, his body remaining straight as a board as he planted his face in the sandy gravel. There he lay—somehow still at attention.
It took years of practice and discipline for this guard to learn such self-control, to hold his body in place even as he was falling unconscious. The apostle Paul describes such training: “I discipline my body and keep it under control,” he wrote (1 Corinthians 9:27 esv). Paul recognized that “everyone who competes . . . goes into strict training” (v. 25).
While God’s grace (not our efforts) undergirds all we do, our spiritual life deserves rigorous discipline. As God helps us discipline our mind, heart, and body, we learn to keep our attention fixed on Him, even amid trials or distractions.
By: Winn Collier
INSIGHT
Paul’s original audience would have immediately resonated with his sports metaphors. Corinth hosted the Isthmian games on the years before and after the Olympic games.
The athletes who competed were required by the rules to train for a minimum of ten months. Failing to do so would disqualify them entirely.
In his letter to the Corinthian believers in Jesus, the apostle exhorts them to live with the same kind of discipline that an athlete would have (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)—not to compete in the games but to live faithfully in the example of Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3).
He’s not pitting them against each other like the games would, but he does call them to the same level of commitment in following Jesus.
Instead of ten months, though, the life of the believer in Him calls us to a lifetime of growing discipline aimed at walking in His footsteps and ultimately sharing in His prize (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
APPLICATION
Where is it most difficult for you to discipline your heart, mind, or body? How do you sense God inviting you into deeper discipline?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“While God’s grace (not our efforts) undergirds all we do, our spiritual life deserves rigorous discipline. As God helps us discipline our mind, heart, and body, we learn to keep our attention fixed on Him, even amid trials or distractions.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“Discipline is not so much about self-denial as about choosing what you want most and willing to die for it.” Adapted – Anonymous
PRAYER
“Dear God, please teach me how to be more disciplined for You. I want to grow my love for You and keep my heart close to You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“LOOKING UNTO JESUS”
Looking unto Jesus,
Never need we yield,
Over all the armor,
Faith the battle-shield;
Standard of salvation,
In our hearts unfurled;
Let its elevation
Overcome the world.
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Never need we yield
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Over all the armor
Faith the battle shield.
Look away to Jesus,
Look away from all,
Then we need not stumble,
Then we shall not fall;
From each snare that lureth,
Foe or phantom grim,
Safety this ensureth,—
Look away to Him.
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus…
Looking into Jesus,
Wond’ringly we trace
Heights of power and glory,
Depths of love and grace;
Vistas far unfolding
Ever stretch before
As we gaze, beholding
Ever more and more.
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus…
Looking up to Jesus
On the em’rald throne,
Faith shall pierce the heavens,
Where our King is gone;
Lord, on Thee depending,
Now, continually,
Heart and mind ascending,
Let us dwell with Thee.
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Never need we yield
Looking unto Jesus,
Looking unto Jesus,
Over all the armor
Faith the battle shield.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
1 CORITNTHIANS 12
