March 21 | Daily Devotion | Disciplining Our Body Is Very Important To Run The Christian Race

Zac PoonenMarch 20, 202512mWatch on YouTube

CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen Excerpt from the message: Discipline Your Body - Zac Poonen To listen to the complete message click here : https://www.cfcindia.com/sermon/discipline-your-body Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com

Summary

The sermon emphasizes the critical importance of self-discipline, particularly regarding the body, to successfully complete the Christian race. Drawing parallels to Olympic athletes, the speaker stresses that discipline in eating, sleeping, and sexuality is necessary to avoid disqualification at the end. He encourages believers to discipline their bodies to serve God's will rather than their desires, using fasting as a practical example of this discipline.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Running the Christian race to winPaul encourages believers to run the Christian race with the intent to win, just as athletes exercise self-control to gain an imperishable reward.1 Corinthians 9:24

Making the body a slavePaul emphasizes that he disciplines his body to make it his slave, warning that failure to do so could lead to being disqualified after preaching to others.1 Corinthians 9:27

Three legitimate desires that can be abusedFood, sleep, and sex are all legitimate human desires, but they can easily become destructive if we fail to exercise discipline over them.

Jesus and John the Baptist on eating and fastingJesus was criticized for feasting while John the Baptist was criticized for fasting, demonstrating that followers of Jesus should balance both fasting and feasting.Luke 7:33–34

Why fasting mattersFasting helps us overcome our slavery to food, gives us a firsthand experience of hunger which builds compassion for the poor, and prepares us for spiritual service.

Fasting and casting out demonsJesus explained that certain spiritual breakthroughs, such as driving out demons, require a foundation of prayer and fasting to develop sufficient faith.Matthew 17:19

Practical ways to discipline the bodyBelievers can practice regular discipline by fasting once a week, skipping second helpings, or engaging in selective fasts like Daniel to seek God.

Jesus expects His disciples to fastJesus spoke of fasting using the word "when" rather than "if," indicating it is an expected part of a disciple's life rather than a strict legal command.Matthew 6:16

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CFC Daily Devotions

March 21 | Daily Devotion | Disciplining Our Body Is Very Important To Run The Christian Race

Zac Poonen · March 20, 2025 · 12m

Following Jesus Freedom from sin

Summary

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Running the Christian race to winPaul encourages believers to run the Christian race with the intent to win, just as athletes exercise self-control to gain an imperishable reward.1 Corinthians 9:24

Making the body a slavePaul emphasizes that he disciplines his body to make it his slave, warning that failure to do so could lead to being disqualified after preaching to others.1 Corinthians 9:27

Three legitimate desires that can be abusedFood, sleep, and sex are all legitimate human desires, but they can easily become destructive if we fail to exercise discipline over them.

Why fasting mattersFasting helps us overcome our slavery to food, gives us a firsthand experience of hunger which builds compassion for the poor, and prepares us for spiritual service.

Fasting and casting out demonsJesus explained that certain spiritual breakthroughs, such as driving out demons, require a foundation of prayer and fasting to develop sufficient faith.Matthew 17:19

Practical ways to discipline the bodyBelievers can practice regular discipline by fasting once a week, skipping second helpings, or engaging in selective fasts like Daniel to seek God.

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March 21 | Daily Devotion | Disciplining Our Body Is Very Important To Run The Christian Race

Summary

Outline

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March 21 | Daily Devotion | Disciplining Our Body Is Very Important To Run The Christian Race

Summary

Transcript

Outline

Related messages