Congratulations to Team USA for all of their achievements at the 2016 Rio Olympics.  Team USA won 46 gold medals, 37 silver medals, and 38 bronze medals.

Olympic athletes have goals in mind and work hard to achieve their goals.  For many of these athletes, their achievements were the result of many years of training, hard work, and personal sacrifice.  The “gold” did not come easy.

In many ways, the Christian life is like running a race.  The Apostle Paul talks about self-discipline and “running” with a purpose.  Paul’s challenge to Christians is to “run to win”.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win.   All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.   I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT)

 Run to win.

• Run with purpose.

I run with purpose in every step. (1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT)

• Discipline your body.

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT)

• Repent of the sin in your life which will hinder your performance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

•  Keep your eyes on Jesus.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)

• Be aware of and avoid false teaching.

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? …. I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. …. (Galatians 5:7-10 NLT)

• Challenge others to hold firmly to the truths of the Gospel.

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.  (Philippians 2:16 NLT)

• Press on. Don’t give up.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  (Philippians 3:14 NLT)

• Remain faithful to God and His Word.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT)

• Anticipate your (“gold medal”) crown of righteousness.

And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.  (2 Timothy 4:8 NLT)

Run to win.

• Run with purpose.
• Discipline your body.
• Repent of the sin in your life which will hinder your performance.
• Keep your eyes on Jesus.
• Be aware of and avoid false teaching.
• Challenge others to hold firmly to the truths of the Gospel.
• Press on. Don’t give up.
• Remain faithful to God and His Word.
• Anticipate your (“gold medal”) crown of righteousness.

I run with purpose in every step.
(1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT)

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