The Christian life is often described as a race not of speed, but of endurance, discipline, and devotion. In this sermon, Pastor Wall walks us through 1 Corinthians 16:5-16, offering a heartfelt and urgent exhortation to every believer: stay alert, stand firm, grow up, lean on God’s strength, and do everything in love. Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s closing words to the Corinthian church, this message is a timely reminder that we are each called to finish our race well, for the glory of God.
Be Watching: Stay Spiritually Alert
Paul’s call to “watch ye” is a command for continual vigilance in the Christian life. Believers must remain spiritually awake because the enemy, Satan, actively seeks to destroy. Much like a soldier in a war zone or a driver on a dangerous road, Christians cannot afford to be distracted or complacent. We must also remain on guard because our own flesh is weak. Even seasoned believers can fall prey to temptation when they let their guard down. Additionally, spiritual carelessness rarely happens all at once, it creeps in slowly through indifference and apathy, often when we think we are safest. Our world is also filled with false teachers whose subtle errors lead many astray, especially in a time when digital platforms allow them to spread unchallenged. Finally, life itself is fleeting. None of us are promised tomorrow, so the urgency to live watchfully is ever present. Every moment counts in the race we are running.
Be Steady: Stand Fast in the Faith
When Paul instructs the church to “stand fast in the faith,” he is issuing a clear and non-negotiable command to remain firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word. In a culture where truth is often redefined, the faith once delivered to the saints must be our anchor. This call to steadiness is not about being stubborn or unchanging in our preferences; it’s about holding tightly to the revealed truths of Scripture. Our convictions must not be based on what others think, not even spiritual leaders, but on what the Bible actually says. Like Martin Luther, who famously stood his ground on biblical conviction even when it meant risking his life, we too must resolve that God’s Word is our final authority. If we fail to stand fast, we are vulnerable to drifting into error, which inevitably leads to compromised behavior. Right belief is the foundation for a faithful life.
Be Growing: Act Like Spiritual Adults
The phrase “quit you like men” can sound strange today, but it simply means to act with maturity and courage. Paul was calling the Corinthians to grow up spiritually, to leave behind childishness and pettiness, and to embrace the responsibilities of mature believers. Christian growth does not happen passively or automatically it must be intentional. Every believer, no matter how long they’ve been saved, has a next step to take. Maturity is a process, but it has a clear purpose: to glorify God and reflect His character more clearly in our lives. The primary tool for this growth is the Word of God. While podcasts and sermons can help, it is the personal intake and application of Scripture that equips us to become mature and complete in Christ. Growing in faith means developing a heart that beats with God’s priorities and finding our fulfillment in His purpose for our lives.
Be Strong: Draw Strength from the Lord
When Paul says “be strong,” it’s important to understand that this strength is not something we conjure up ourselves. The verb is passive, meaning we are to allow ourselves to be strengthened by the Lord. This is not a call to self-reliance or human grit. It is a call to deeper dependence on God’s grace. Strength in the Christian life comes not from confidence in our own ability, but from recognizing our weakness and leaning fully on Christ. Paul learned this lesson firsthand when he asked God to remove a thorn in his flesh and was told, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” God’s strength is perfected in our weakness. Whether we’re facing personal trials or spiritual battles, our power must come from Him. As we rely on the Lord daily, we find renewed strength that allows us to endure, overcome, and glorify Him in every season.
Be Loving: Do Everything with Charity
The final instruction is perhaps the most comprehensive: “Let all your things be done with charity.” Every command that precedes this one must be carried out in love. Without love, our watchfulness can become harsh, our steadfastness can turn into rigidity, our growth may lead to pride, and our strength might make us overbearing. True Christian love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, selfless, and enduring. It doesn’t rejoice in wrong but celebrates truth. It bears burdens, believes the best, hopes in the darkest moments, and never fails. Everything we do, whether in ministry, relationships, or daily life, must be wrapped in this kind of love. It is not a feeling but a choice to act in a Christlike manner toward others. A church or believer marked by love is a powerful testimony of the gospel to a watching world.
Final Thoughts:
Pastor Wall’s sermon from 1 Corinthians 16 is more than a closing charge to an ancient church, it is a living call for us today. The race we run as Christians is not easy, and it’s not without opposition. But with watchfulness, steadfast faith, spiritual growth, divine strength, and sincere love, we can finish well. Whether in the dark valleys or on the mountaintops, our aim must be the glory of God and the joy of hearing Him say, “Well done.”
