Sermon Texts: The Gospel reading, (Matt. 6:3–4, 6, 17–18). and 1 Corinthians 9: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Years ago, Natalie’s Father died during Lent. We were up in New Jersey and family and friends were standing around somewhere, maybe church, and they were lightly chatting about what they gave up for Lent, as if they were talking about the latest football or basketball game. What is the purpose of fasting, praying and almsgiving? Jesus knows there is great temptation to show off about our spirituality to be seen by others: as it was then, is now. This is not the purpose of fasting, praying and almsgiving says Jesus, for then we have our reward: the adulation and praise of the world, by which the Church must not be led and is not fed. The world rewards itself yearly with award shows even with rewards for good deeds.
The world thinks itself quite ‘spiritual’, even using denial, but self-denial is a lot harder than denial. The purpose of self-denial teaches Jesus is to be seen by the Lord, our heavenly Father, for then He is our reward. He is our shield and great reward. He is our mighty fortress. The purpose of the Lenten discipline, for 40 days and nights…and other times as well…is to keep our eyes and hearts on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who bore the cross for our justification, our Captain in the well fought fight.
St. Paul wrote this encouragement and challenge to the Church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 10: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things, As a resident of Corinth in A.D. 50-52, he had probably witnessed the Isthmian Games in the spring of A.D. 51. This prestigious event, second only to the Olympic Games, was celebrated every two years about ten miles from Corinth. The basic athletic events included racing, wrestling, jumping, boxing, hurling the javelin, and throwing the discus. Paul begins with an illustration from the footraces in the stadium. A number of runners competed in each event, but only one could win the prize. The analogy to the Christian life is, of course, imperfect, for in the race all believers are prize winners. But Paul uses the analogy only to the exertion and self-discipline required of the successful runner. He challenges the Corinthians: “Run that you may win” (9:24).
The other purpose of the Lenten discipline is keeping our fighting trim. When my Father was in the FBI, he didn’t particularly care for his physical because he had to be a certain weight as a special agent in the Bureau. Our souls can become overweight with the love of the world and the world is ever too much with us.
The world seeks to be praised
And honored by the mighty,
Yet never once reflects
That they are frail and flighty.
But what I truly prize
Above all things is He,
My Jesus, He alone—
What is the world to me?
Fasting, prayer and almsgiving is the discipline of getting in shape as His Church, the Church militant. 1 Corinthians 9: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. By so disciplining himself, Paul’s faith was active and alive in Christ in loving service to all. If he were to live a life of self-indulgence, he would endanger not only the salvation of others, but also his own. Spirituality is not about our spiritual jollies, that’s just narcissism, and worse: hypocrisy, play acting… The root word of discipline is disciple, so we are prepared for our everyday lives living as the Body of Christ, His Church. “…if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?Jesus is as clear as Uncle Sam: I want you every man woman and child…but He does not point at us but points to His Wounds for us and our salvation.
The purpose of self-denial and discipline is also for battling for the souls of others in the clear sound of the Lord’s grace, mercy and peace for sinners. Giving up on satiation of food, we then want ever more the Bread of Life and Lord, open thou my lips. Giving up our words which does not create, redeem, and sanctify the world, we are focused on His Word, incarnate, written and heard Who alone created, redeemed and sanctified you and I. Yet our speech and prayers can guide the hungry man to His Feast. Giving up money, we can help our neighbor in all manner of services.
Is discipline difficult? Of course! For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Given the military associations with discipleship in the Bible, St. Paul’s advice is sound to Timothy: “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” This was written to a pastor…and for us as well. We can easily be entangled in civilian pursuits in the world to our detriment. I think of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the greatest of these are prayer. For prayer, like love, has no end. And the discipline is prayer, as Augustine wrote, fasting and almsgiving are wings of prayer: taking it to the Lord in prayer. Run the race. Remember:
We are called to please Him who was pleased to enlist us in Holy Baptism into His Church, the church militant, and out of the armies of the devil and the antichrist and to fight for the lost. As in Colossians, For in Him all the fulness of God was PLEASED to dwell. He is pleased to save us into His forces. As we sing at Christmas, “Pleased as man with man to dwell/Jesus our Emmanuel” (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing). Yet, we can become AWOL, absent without leave, run away from the Lord we love. Doing so in military and one is faced with punishments. We are too. But when we return to the Lord, repent, saying what I did was wrong, He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and mercy to restore us.
Lent has been practiced for a thousand years or more, a training period on earth a learning, discipling, praying for the joy of Easter and Baptism…for living in the world but not for the world, looking to our Captain of the well fought fight.
A noble army, men and boys,
the matron and the maid,
around the Savior’s throne rejoice,
in robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven,
through peril, toil and pain;
O God, to us may grace be given,
to follow in their train.
Concordia and Koinonia 
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