Keith Battle - Keep Running - Part 6

All right, we’re in part six of our Keep Running series today. If you’re following along in a Bible, whether it’s a digital Bible or your own physical copy, I’m going to First Corinthians chapter nine. First Corinthians chapter nine, and I want to focus on verses 24 to 27. I’m still talking about Hebrews chapter 12, verse 1, especially about weight. Today, we’re going to do some weight management around our race. I want to focus on First Corinthians chapter nine, verses 24 to 27. If you are physically able, please stand wherever you’re joining us. If you’re with a gathering of people, please stand with me for the reading of the word. If you’re by yourself, it might feel a little odd to stand, but if that makes you feel connected, then by all means, stand up. First Corinthians chapter nine—I’m going to use the translation I often prefer, which is the ERV (Easy to Read Version). This is how it reads, beginning in verse 24: «You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that.» Run like that! Run like you’re the one! I just be having bars all the time; I’m about to drop an album! Run like that—run like you’re the one, run like you him, run like you her, run to win! Oh, run to win! If I’m going to lace them up, I’m going to win. I’m not running just to go through the motions. I’m trying to win! If I’m going to show up, I’m trying to win. I’m trying to win at Early, I’m trying to win at Spades, I’m trying to win at Checkers. If we’re pitching pennies, I’m trying to win! Where my winners at? How many people are saying, «Just tell somebody next to you, 'I’m trying to win'?» Yeah! I want to win in my marriage, I want to win in my life, I want to win financially, I want to win in my business, I want to win at work, I want to win in my family, I want to win in my health. I’m running to win! I ain’t faking; they still say ‘faking’. I ain’t bojangling, I ain’t half-stepping, I ain’t shucking and jiving; I’m trying to win! Yeah!

Verse 25: «All who compete in the games use strict training.» Hmm! They do this so that they can win a prize, one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. So I run like someone who has a goal. Somebody say, «I know where I’m going!» Yeah! I ain’t running aimlessly; I’m focused. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air!

Verse 27: «It is my own body. I fight to make it do what I want.» I’m going to talk about that next week. «I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.» Before you’re seated, I want to go back to verse 26. This is where I want to focus today: «I run like someone that has a goal. I fight like a boxer who’s hitting something, not just swinging at the air.» That’s a waste of energy. If I’m going to swing, I’m hitting something! I’ve got something I’m aiming at; I’ve got to make my punches count. I’m not wasting energy! Look at somebody and say, «Protect your energy! Protect your energy! Protect your energy!» You may be seated.

When I talk about running the race, if this is your first time being with us during this series, what I’m referring to are two things: your walk with God and your work for God. That is our race in the spiritual world: our walk with God, our relationship with God, and our assignment. What did He put us on this Earth to do? What difference are we supposed to make? We are not just here for pleasure; we are here for purpose. Oh, that’s a good statement! It ain’t even my sermon: «We are not just here for pleasure; we are here for purpose.» It ain’t just all about fun; it’s about assignment. That is my race.

When it comes to your race, your race didn’t start when you were born. Your race with God started when you were born again—the moment your spiritual relationship with God started; that’s when your race began. All that other time, you were running for yourself. The moment you said, «God, I want you to be my Savior,» then the race starts. And watch this: because He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day that Christ Jesus returns, your race doesn’t end until your life ends. Some of you needed this series because you forgot it’s not your life. Once you give your life to God, you’re running for Him. You don’t just get to quit and throw in the towel and check out. «I’m leaving everything! I’m leaving the church, leaving the faith.» It ain’t even your life anymore. When you gave the Lord your life, He took over. It’s His race now. Now you’re His vessel that He uses for His glory. Are you tracking with me? So, when I talk about running this race, I’m not talking about how fast you go. This race is not based on speed; it’s based on direction. Somebody once said, «Your direction is more important than your speed,» because you can be going fast the wrong way. So I’m not talking about how fast you can run…