Run the Race - 1 Corinthians 9

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction

Today, we’re continuing our message series called “Bondservant.” Every believer is a bondservant of Jesus Christ, that’s what it means to call Jesus your Lord or master. A bondservant serves their master for life and a bondservant believes in their master for life, which means a bondservant of Jesus perseveres once they’ve committed their lives to Him.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Lord in the Greek is kurios, which means the master of a slave. To be saved, you must confess that Jesus is your master. Secondly, you must believe in your heart the miracle of the resurrection.

For if Jesus was not raised from the dead, then He’s still dead and unable to save anyone. But if you confess Jesus as the living Lord, raised from the dead, you will be saved. Today, we’re going to look at another metaphor for how a bondservant of Jesus lives.

My message today is called “Run the Race.” This metaphor is used repeatedly throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testaments. The life of a believer is like running in a race, something that just about everyone can relate to.

You’ve either run in some races yourself at some point in your life or you’ve watched others run races. Real athletes in a race run to finish the race and receive a prize at the end, and nobody likes to run in a race and drop out. Why would someone drop out of a race when the goal is to finish?

The person may not have trained properly and just didn’t have what it took to finish. The runner may have an injury that prevents them from running the race, or the runner may not have the mental focus and just quits when it gets too hard. Or finally, the runner may be disqualified by breaking the race’s rules.

Regardless of the reason, the runner who quits does not finish and does not receive the prize at the end of the race. Scripture reminds us that faithfulness over the long haul matters more than how fast we start.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

He looks forward to the prize, the crown of righteousness, the Lord will award to him and to all believers. The crown of righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that will be received in fullness at the Judgment Day. The crown symbolizes the eternal life that every believer who finishes the race will receive.

As true believers, we mustn’t just talk about running the race, we must do it. So, let’s see what the Bible says running the race is all about and how that shapes the life of a bondservant.

Win as Many as Possible

1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV) Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

In this series, we are talking about being a slave or bondservant to Jesus Christ. Here, Paul says that not only is he a bondservant of Jesus, he also makes himself a slave to everyone. This means that Paul determined, in the freedom that he had in Christ, to serve others intentionally.

Why did he do it? He did it in order to win or save as many as possible. Paul’s priorities in life were to win others for Jesus, even though not everyone he witnessed to would become a believer.

Our goal is not to win everyone but to win as many as possible. We are to bring as many people to heaven with us as we can, because that is an essential part of running the race. Paul even writes that we are to follow his example as he follows Christ.

Each of us should have the goal in our minds every day, God, help me to do whatever it takes today to win as many as possible. This mindset reshapes how we see our time, our relationships, and our daily decisions.

Deny Yourself for Others’ Sake

1 Corinthians 9:20–22a (NIV) To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

Paul is saying that he denied what he wanted to do in order to help others. He was willing to adapt his approach without compromising his beliefs so that people could hear and understand the Gospel. In doing this, Paul was really following the example of Jesus Himself.

Jesus came down from heaven to earth and became a human being. He entered our world fully and completely. He did this to seek and to save the lost.

In the same way, Paul lived and presented the Gospel in a way that was understandable and appealing to different types of people. His life showed that loving others often requires personal sacrifice and intentional humility.

Use All Possible Means to Save Others

1 Corinthians 9:22b–23 (NIV) I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The word all occurs repeatedly in these verses, revealing an all-encompassing passion to save other people. Paul was willing to forgo his own comfort or preferences for the sake of others hearing the truth. This kind of commitment reflects a heart fully surrendered to the mission of Christ.

There is not just one way God brings people to salvation. God uses many methods, personalities, and circumstances to draw people to Himself. We must be willing to let God use us in all kinds of ways to save others.

Our efforts are done for the sake of the gospel, the good news that Jesus died and rose again so we can be forgiven and saved. The blessings of the gospel belong to those who embrace it and actively share it with others.

Enter the Lives of Others with Sacrificial Love

In the 2012 London marathon, more than 37,000 runners competed, and the winner finished in just over two hours. Another runner, Simone Clark, finished the race in six and a half hours, and her story is unforgettable. Simone was an epileptic who suffered about four seizures a day.

Her friend Tally Hall trained with her and ran the marathon beside her. Over the course of the race, Simone suffered multiple seizures, collapsing and losing consciousness each time. Every time, Tally caught her, waited with her, and helped her continue.

Tally could have finished with a far better time alone. Instead, she denied her own desires so that Simone could finish the race. In the same way, we are called to enter the lives of those who are struggling and help them stay in the race.

Who are you working to get into the race for Jesus? Who are you helping stay in the race? Ask God to help you do whatever it takes to win as many as possible for Christ.

Run to Get the Prize

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV) 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.

In a race, there are many runners but only one first prize. The winner runs with everything he has to finish strong. Believers are called to approach the race of life with the same intensity and determination.

Many people are not even in the race, and others have started but veered off course or dropped out. God calls us to run faithfully, focused on finishing well. So how do we run to get the prize?

Commit Yourself to Strict Training

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV) Everyone 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.

Athletes undergo strict training to prepare for competition. Their training requires self-control, discipline, and endurance. They are willing to sacrifice temporary comfort for a lasting reward.

In the Christian life, believers must also commit themselves to strict training. Spiritual growth requires intentional habits that prepare us to endure and finish the race. Without discipline, we are more likely to drift off course.

Strict training involves both avoiding sin and practicing spiritual disciplines. Persisting in sin can derail a believer and prevent finishing well. When sin is recognized, repentance brings us back on track.

Some basic disciplines include gathering with other believers in worship and small groups. Daily Bible reading and prayer strengthen our faith and endurance. Giving, serving, and sharing the Gospel are also essential parts of training for the race.

Make Wise Use of Your Time

1 Corinthians 9:26 (NIV) Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

Many people drift through life without purpose, spending time on things of no eternal value. God’s Word tells us not to live aimlessly but intentionally. Like a boxer aiming his punches, our actions should be directed and meaningful.

Each of us has a limited number of days, hours, and minutes. Every moment is a gift from God to be used for His purposes. Running the race well requires wise stewardship of the time we have been given.

Exercise Self-Discipline to Avoid Disqualification

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV) No, 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.

Paul emphasizes the importance of self-discipline in the Christian life. Starting well does not guarantee finishing well. Ongoing obedience and vigilance are required.

Just like runners feel tempted to quit when exhausted, believers face moments of weariness and temptation. We must press on rather than give in. God’s strength sustains those who remain faithful.

A race has rules, and ignoring them leads to disqualification. Paul understood that compromise could cost him the prize. Self-discipline protects us and helps us finish the race with integrity.

Finish the Race with Enduring Faith

Charles Templeton became a believer at a young age and preached the Gospel to large crowds. His ministry was fruitful, and many came to faith through his efforts. He was once considered a rising star alongside Billy Graham.

Over time, Templeton began to doubt the Bible and ultimately renounced his faith. Near the end of his life, he admitted that he missed Jesus deeply. His story reminds us of the tragedy of starting well but not finishing.

We must run to get the prize and never give up. Faithfulness to the end matters. Endurance is essential for those who desire the crown.

Conclusion

If you are a believer, you are in the race. Part of running the race is recruiting others and helping them stay in it. We are called to win as many as possible.

We are also called to run hard, train well, exercise self-discipline, and finish strong. Only those who finish receive the prize. May God give us grace to persevere faithfully.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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