Self-Discipline and Sacrifice for Eternal Rewards
Summary
In a compelling discourse, Pastor Ben Sanders explores the concept of self-discipline and sacrifice in the pursuit of spiritual victory. He draws parallels between the dedication of athletes striving for a perishable crown in ancient games and the Christian journey towards an imperishable reward. Sanders emphasizes the importance of self-control and the willingness to endure hardship for a greater cause, underscoring the sacrifices made by the early disciples and apostles who witnessed Jesus' life, death, and resurrection firsthand.
Sanders recounts the Apostle Paul's trials, including imprisonment, beatings, and eventual martyrdom, as evidence of his genuine encounter with the risen Christ. He argues that such extreme sacrifices are not made for falsehoods, but for truths that have been experienced. This historical perspective serves as a foundation for understanding the level of commitment expected of believers.
The discourse then shifts to address contemporary challenges faced by Christians. Sanders points out that modern believers often struggle with seemingly minor issues, such as controlling sexual desires, substance abuse, and balancing leisure activities with spiritual disciplines. He references Jeremiah 12:5, where God challenges the prophet Jeremiah on his ability to endure greater trials, suggesting that if one cannot manage small difficulties, they will falter when faced with greater adversity.
Sanders further explores the Apostle Paul's teachings in Philippians 4:12, where Paul speaks of learning the secret of contentment in both abundance and need. This passage is presented not as a promise of ease, but as an assurance of strength through Christ to endure all circumstances.
The message concludes with a vision of the Christian hope, which includes a new body, a robe of righteousness, a harp, and a crown of glory. Sanders describes the ultimate act of worship in heaven as casting these crowns before the throne of God, signifying that the true purpose of the rewards is to honor the Creator.
Throughout the discourse, Sanders calls for a reevaluation of priorities, urging believers to crucify their fleshly desires and sufferings, and to align their lives with the teachings of Jesus. He challenges the audience to consider what they are willing to sacrifice for the sake of an eternal reward, contrasting the temporary pleasures of this world with the eternal glory promised in the afterlife.
Key Takeaways:
- The sacrifices of the early disciples, who chose to preach boldly about Jesus despite severe persecution, serve as a powerful testament to the authenticity of their experiences with Christ. Their unwavering commitment in the face of death underscores the transformative power of encountering the divine. [29:56]
- True Christian living requires a level of self-discipline and sacrifice that goes beyond superficial changes. It involves a deep crucifixion of the flesh, where passions, desires, and even sufferings are surrendered to Christ. This process is not merely about giving up vices but reorienting one's entire life to be subject to Jesus' lordship. [23:02]
- The concept of winning oneself before attempting to influence others is crucial. It is a reminder that personal spiritual health is the foundation for effectively ministering to others. Without first securing one's own relationship with God, efforts to guide others may be in vain. [02:53]
- The Apostle Paul's contentment in all situations, as described in Philippians 4:12, is not a guarantee of constant prosperity but a testament to the sufficiency of Christ's strength in every circumstance. This perspective encourages believers to find peace and resilience regardless of life's fluctuations. [35:19]
- The ultimate goal of the Christian life is not to accumulate earthly rewards but to receive heavenly ones that will be used to worship God. The imagery of casting crowns before God's throne in Revelation 4:10 symbolizes the eternal purpose of all achievements and honors: to glorify the One who is worthy of all praise. [40:56]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "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. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
2. Philippians 4:12-13 - "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
3. Jeremiah 12:5 - "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to describe the Christian life, and what is the significance of this metaphor? [03:30]
2. According to Philippians 4:12-13, what has Paul learned about contentment, and how does he achieve it? [35:19]
3. In Jeremiah 12:5, what challenge does God present to Jeremiah, and what is the underlying message for believers? [33:31]
4. How does Pastor Sanders describe the sacrifices made by the early disciples and apostles, and what does he suggest these sacrifices indicate about their faith? [25:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 help us understand the level of self-discipline and sacrifice required in the Christian life? [03:30]
2. What does Paul mean when he says he has learned the secret of being content in any situation in Philippians 4:12-13, and how can this perspective be applied to modern-day challenges? [35:19]
3. How does the challenge presented in Jeremiah 12:5 relate to the struggles faced by contemporary Christians, and what does it imply about spiritual growth and resilience? [33:31]
4. Reflecting on the extreme sacrifices of the early disciples, what can we infer about the authenticity of their experiences with Christ and the transformative power of their faith? [25:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: What are some areas where you need to exercise more self-discipline to align with the teachings of Jesus? How can you start making those changes this week? [06:48]
2. Think about a recent situation where you struggled with contentment. How can you apply Paul's secret of contentment from Philippians 4:12-13 to find peace and strength in Christ in similar situations? [35:19]
3. Identify a minor challenge you are currently facing. How can you use this challenge as an opportunity to build resilience and prepare for greater trials, as suggested in Jeremiah 12:5? [33:31]
4. Consider the sacrifices made by the early disciples. What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of your faith? How can you start making those sacrifices today? [25:22]
5. Pastor Sanders mentioned the importance of crucifying fleshly desires and sufferings. What specific desires or sufferings do you need to surrender to Christ, and what steps can you take to do so? [12:47]
6. How can you reorient your life to ensure that all aspects are subject to Jesus' lordship? Identify one area of your life that needs reorientation and create a plan to address it. [22:28]
7. Reflect on the ultimate goal of receiving heavenly rewards to worship God. How does this vision impact your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live with this eternal perspective in mind? [40:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Authenticity in Faith's Witness
The unwavering commitment of the early disciples, who faced persecution and death, is a testament to the authenticity of their experiences with Christ. Their sacrifices demonstrate the transformative power of divine encounters, inspiring believers to consider the depth of their own faith. [29:56]
Hebrews 11:36-38 - "Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them."
Reflection: How does the steadfastness of early Christian martyrs challenge your own commitment to faith in the face of adversity?
Day 2: Crucifixion of the Flesh
True discipleship involves a deep crucifixion of the flesh, where every passion, desire, and suffering is surrendered to Christ. This surrender is not just about abstaining from vices but about a complete reorientation of life under Jesus' lordship. [23:02]
Galatians 5:24 - "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to practice self-discipline? How can you actively crucify this aspect of the flesh to live more fully for Christ?
Day 3: Winning Oneself for Ministry
Personal spiritual health is foundational for effective ministry to others. Securing one's own relationship with God is essential before attempting to guide others in their faith journey. [02:53]
1 Timothy 4:16 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your personal spiritual health to better serve and minister to those around you?
Day 4: Contentment in Christ Alone
Contentment in every situation is rooted in the strength that Christ provides, not in external circumstances. This divine strength allows believers to find peace and resilience regardless of life's fluctuations. [35:19]
Philippians 4:11-13 - "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship or period of want. How can you cultivate a spirit of contentment through your reliance on Christ's strength?
Day 5: Glorifying God with Heavenly Rewards
The ultimate purpose of heavenly rewards is to glorify God. The imagery of casting crowns before God's throne symbolizes that all achievements and honors are meant to honor the Creator, not ourselves. [40:56]
Revelation 4:10-11 - "The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.'"
Reflection: Consider the rewards and achievements in your life. How can you use them to bring glory to God rather than seeking personal honor?
Quotes
1) "All things in my life must be subject to Jesus Christ period. Everything must be reoriented into their proper position, some of which we need freedom from." [23:02]
2) "We've got to crucify our suffering and appetites because that's the cost of winning, to receive the crown that will never perish." [14:27]
3) "I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified." [06:48]
4) "The sacrifices of the early disciples, who chose to preach boldly about Jesus despite severe persecution, serve as a testament to the authenticity of their experiences with Christ." [29:56]
5) "Life doesn't get any easier when you turn to Christ, but it does get more hopeful because you have something you're shooting for, a reward that is imperishable." [36:26]
6) "We don't want to go to heaven just coasting. I want to go to heaven totally spent, poured out, tested, scarred, maybe walking with a limp, but in a moment, transformed into victory." [37:34]
7) "Our crowns will be used to worship Him. When we get to heaven, our bodies, robes, and harps will serve purposes, but our crowns will be cast before the throne to honor God." [40:56]
8) "You are going to make it. We are going to go to heaven together, thick or thin, hell or high water, not by the skin of our teeth but by His grace and power." [43:15]
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