MPC
1st June 2008.June 1 - 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:22 - "Run, Fatboy, Run!"
MPC
1st June 2008.
Phil Campbell
I think my favourite movie so far this year has been Run, Fatboy, Run (here's the trailer). Not so much because it reminded me of what Lou says to me every time we go out for some exercise, but because of the delightful story it told of an underdog who just wouldn't give up.
Dennis Doyle starts out in the movie as the ultimate quitter. Dennis runs away from everything. Especially commitment. But five years after he's jilted his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, Dennis is desperate to win her back. He's out of shape, he's down on his luck; but Dennis vows he'll run the London marathon to prove he's committed to winning her back.
It's a story of two men competing for the same woman. It's a story of courage. It's the story of an unlikely overweigh hero... who refuses to stop running til he reaches the finish line. No matter what the pain.
Look, guys, I've gotta admit it was definitely a chick flick. But I've got to say at the end I had a tear in my eye and a smile on my face at the same time. I thought it was terrific. And Lou thought it was ok too.
The best thing about Run, Fatboy, Run was that it's a perfect illustration of what Paul's saying at the end of 1 Corinthians chapter 9. And a simple rule in almost every sport. If you don't run hard... you don't win. If you don't give it your best shot, you might as well not bother competing. It's that way in boxing. That way in running. If you're not ready to do the hard yards... why start the race? If you're not going to train hard, if you're not going to run to win, why run?
According to Paul here in 1 Corinthians 9 and 10, that's how it is running and boxing. And that's how it is in the Christian life as well. If you're going to throw in the towel as soon as it gets tough, then you're not really in it at all.
Which the Corinthian Christians need to know. Because no matter how strong the cultural headwinds, no matter how much the pressure to join in the temple feasts with their friends as they celebrate their non-existent Gods, Christians are called to be different. And no matter how strong the opposition, Christians are called to keep going. And no matter how seductive the temptation, Christians are called to not turn aside from the race. Ignore it and press on. No matter how tough the testing, they've got to see themselves like athletes in training. Running to win.
So take a look at chapter 9 verse 25 and 26. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. This is serious. Back then at Corinth it was the Isthmian Games every two years. You couldn't even enter unless you'd trained for 8 months. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it, says Paul, to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. He says if an athlete is going to go through all that self discipline, all that self denial, all the hard yards just for a crown of leaves, which is what they used to get for winning, how come we Christians are complaining as soon as the going gets tough. When we've got a far more lasting prize.
For the Christians in Corinth we're going to see this is all about cutting out their compromising. With their old life. For Paul, if you think back to last week, it's about constantly putting other people first.
He says, how hard are you prepared to go at it? As for me, he says, verse 26, I'm running to win. As for me, I'm serious. He says, I don't run like a man running aimlessly. I don't fight like a shadow boxer; I want to make it count. I'm not fighting like a man beating the air. I'm in training. Beating my body into submission. Making it my slave. So I'm in there to the finish line. And not disqualified for the prize.
Paul's running like he's in it to win it. Which is an example the Corinthians need to take to heart.
Because if they're not careful, they're going to join the ranks of famous non-finishers.
Do you know anyone like that? The sort of person who'll start almost anything. And finish almost nothing. Half finished knitting. Half finished woodwork project. A pile of books abandoned at page 37.
In the first half of chapter 10, Paul wants us to learn from the example of the most famous non-finishers of all. The people of Israel. Our forefathers in the faith. Who were great starters. And very poor finishers. Who started out on a journey to the promised land; chosen by God. God leading the way in a cloud. Taking them through the Red Sea on dry land. Showering them with food. Water from a rock in the desert. And yet most of them didn't make it. Because they pulled out too soon. Because when the going got tough, they gave up on trusting God. And looked for other options instead. When the going got tough they complained. When it got tough being different to the people around them, they threw in the towel. And so for a whole generation of them, they didn't make it to the promised land at all. Disqualified. Verse 5 in chapter 10. They all came out of Egypt. They all came through the Red Sea. Nevertheless, verse 5, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. You can read about it back in the Old Testament book of Numbers.
These Israelites are the most famous non-finishers of all. And they're meant to serve as an example. A warning. For anyone who wants to be a she'll be right mate sort of Christian. For anyone who wants to have an each way bet. For the sort of Christian who says, maybe, well, I'm okay because I've got the sacraments. I've been Christened. I come along to communion every time I can. And you know what good they'll do you if you don't keep running the race?
Well, says Paul, look at Israel. They were kind of baptised too, verse 2, when they came through the Red Sea. They all ate the same spiritual food, verse 3, when God fed them manna from heaven. They had their version of the sacraments. And look what happened. As an example... verse 6... to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things. As they did.
Do you notice, get to verse 11 and he says exactly the same thing again. Like bookends. These things happened to them as examples, and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfilment of the ages has come. We Christians... we're at the end point of God's plans. And yet we need to take warning from Israel. Four ways of dropping out of the race that are especially relevant for the Corinthians. As well as for us today.
Number 1, they can drop out of the race by going back to their pagan habits. By slipping back into the idol feasts at the temple like everybody else.
Some of the Christians in Corinth are saying, "What's the big deal." I mean, we go along to church on a Sunday; we join in the Lord's supper. So what's the problem if we party at the Temple on Saturday night? Eat the Idol Feast. Have some fun with our friends.
We've seen the issue before. Back in chapter 8. Though in this case it's slightly more pointed. Not just eating meat from the temple butcher shop. But actually joining in the temple feasting.
But take the warning of the Israelites. Famous quitters. Verse 7. Do not be idolaters as some of them were. As it is written. It's back in Exodus 32. Moses has been up the hill for a while, and the people say, he's been gone for a while, let's make some Gods. So they build a golden calf. And they throw a party. Paul quotes from Exodus 32 verse 6. The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.
And as you know, one thing very easily leads to another.
Verse 8. Warning number 2. Here's the second very easy and tempting way to drop out of the race. Paul says we shouldn't commit sexual immorality as some of them did. And in one day 23,000 of them died because of it. Under God's judgement in the wilderness.
A third way to pull out of the race. We shouldn't test the Lord. Verse 9. As some of them did. They're impatient. They say, we prefered it in Egypt. What's God think he's doing? They tested God's patience. And were killed by snakes.
And finally, drop out method number 4. You know this one. It's all too hard. My feet hurt. Actually, this one really is me when it comes to exercising. Verse 10. Don't grumble. As some of them did. Numbers 16. They grumble against Moses. Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die. Who do you think you are. What's to eat. What's to drink. And they grumble against Moses just exactly like the Corinthians are grumbling against Paul. And hundreds die in a plague. Killed, Paul says, by the destroying angel. Out of the race.
So there's the warning. Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Testing God. And grumbling against their leader. That's what led Israel into disaster after disaster. They don't finish the race. And in Corinth, they're making exactly the same mistakes. And they're saying "no worries."
To which Paul says, two things. Anticipating two possible responses.
Paul says, be careful. But don't be a defeatist. Don't say you've got it licked easily. Because that's always dangerous. You stop running hard. But equally, don't say you just can't do it. Because you can.
See, some of them are smug. No worries Paul. I mean, we're not as stupid as the Israelites. They say pride comes before a fall. If you think you are standing firm, if you're riding tall in the saddle... be careful you don't fall. There's no room for complacent Christianity.
A male Christian friend of mine a couple of years ago decided to go into business with an attractive female friend who was also very talented and capable and competent. Excellent business decision. And he told his wife and he told his pastor, there was no way it would ever be possible that he'd fall in love with her. Two years on, he's just told his pastor he's stepping down from his leadership position in the church... he hasn't filled in the rest of the story yet. But you can see it coming, can't you?
Verse 12, "So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall."
But at the same time, don't say it's just too hard either. Absolute rubbish. I mean, if you're a Christian in Corinth and all your mates are heading off for some food and fun at the idol temple, sure it's hard. But that's why you're meant to be in training. Don't whinge about it. That's what we're here for. Verse 13, you're not somehow special just because things are a bit tough. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. It's tough for all of us.
Paul says go hard or go home. No pain, no gain. It's tough saying no. But that's what you're here for.
Besides which, he says, there's always a way to say no if you want to. Just got to look for it. It's a guarantee from God himself. He will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. So when you're under test; the end of verse 13; when you're tempted to pull out of the race, he'll also provide a way out of the temptation, so you can stand up under it. Unless of course, you're still looking for a way in.
What's it going to be? Paul says, as for me, I'm running to win. What's it going to be for you? Whatever your temptation? Overconfident? Or too hard? Thinking your temptation is way worse than anyone elses?
You know, sometimes the best way to run hard when it comes to temptation is to run away. Which is Paul's advice as he closes the section.
The trouble with the Corinthians is they want to keep flirting with trouble. They want to have an each way bet. They want to be Sunday Christians and Monday Aphrodite Worshippers. Which just isn't on. They want to argue away the problem. Idols are just blocks of wood; they're not real, so it doesn't matter if we join in with the crowd.
And so they want to join in the Lord's Supper and count themselves united with Christ; and then join in the idol feasts as well.
Which Paul says is the dumbest sounding excuse for unfaithfulness and compromise he's ever heard. They're just making excuses. Instead of running away. Verse 14; therefore, my dear friends, he says... flee from idolatry. He says, I'm talking to sensible people; you're not idiots. Judge for yourselves what I say. I mean, it's just not on. You drink the cup and break the bread on a Sunday; you're participating in the body of Christ. In his sacrifice. Together with his people.
He says, look back at Israel. Here's how it worked for them. You join in the meal at Israel's temple after the sacrifice, you're participating in the altar. That's how you show the sacrifice was on your behalf. It's the same with the Lord's supper we'll be sharing this morning.
So don't say it's any different at the idol temple. Not that the idols are gods. They're blocks of wood. But at the same time they're the decoys of the devil.
Very easy to swallow the line that all religions lead to God. That all religions are equally true, just worshipping the same God in different ways. Which is the sort of excuse they're probably using. But each way bets are not on. Verse 20, he says, No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want you to be participants with demons. You can't have it both ways. You can't have a part in both the Lord's table the table of demons. So make up your minds. And flee. Before it's too late.
Flee from idolatry. Flee from sexual immorality. And stop trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy. Like parading your new girlfriend past your old one. If they're doing that, they're underestimating the fact that God is calling for exclusive allegiance.
Now for you and me today, being double minded, having it a bit each way... we're probably not facing issues like eating at the idol temple. And yet there's a lot that's the same. The need to just say no to some things. Instead of making excuses. To flee sexual immorality. Back then it was easy to make pious sounding excuses. And it is now as well. It was socially acceptable to be promiscuous back then. As it is now. But not for the people of God.
Paul says, don't make excuses about that sort of thing. I mean, it might be tempting. It might be available. Everyone else might be doing it. But you're an athlete in training. Running to win.
Or are you?
Maybe there are some parties if you're a teenager you just shouldn't go to. Maybe there are some movies you just shouldn't even think about seeing. Maybe there are some sorts of friends you just shouldn't mix with. If you're serious about running hard for Jesus.
Maybe if you're a married guy there are some relationships you should just run away from; like a one-to-one business partnership with an attractive single woman. You might say it's over-reacting. But be careful if you think you're standing firm, in case you fall. Maybe there are some websites a Christian man just shouldn't click on. Even if everyone else does. Because we're running to win.
You might not remember the name of Eric Moussambani. He's the guy from Equatorial Guinea who was granted a place in the Sydney Olympics. Eric became an overnight celebrity.
But his mum wasn't impressed. She said, I'm surprised. She said, I didn't know Eric cared much for swimming. He quit soccer. He quit basketball. Then he started to run and he quit that too. She said, I think the reason he went in the swimming race is that he mostly wanted to see Sydney.
And so there he was. All dressed up in his Speedo bodysuit, but struggling to make the finish line in the 100 metres. Dead last. More than a minute behind the winning time.
The Corinthians are being Eric Moussambani Christians. Taking it easy. Just in it for the sightseeing along the way. Maybe you are as well. Paul says, time to stop making excuses about being half-a-Christian, and make up your mind. Don't run like you're just running aimlessly. Don't fight like a man beating the air. Run like you're running for the prize. Or as they put it in the movie, Run, Fatboy, Run!