Evening Sermon - 15th February 2026 - Fighting, Not Shadow-Boxing: The Christian's Lifelong Conflict

This evening's sermon is delivered by Rev. George Speers.

Preaching from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, the Reverend George Speers takes Paul's image of a boxer who does not merely 'beat the air' as a picture of the real, demanding nature of Christian discipleship. Rev Speers argues that the Christian's conflict is a genuine fight, an inevitable part of following Christ, and a continuous, lifelong struggle that only ends at glory. Drawing on a wide range of Scripture and voices from Calvin and Spurgeon to J.C. Ryle, John Owen and Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he urges believers to abandon half-hearted 'shadow-boxing' faith and to fight with discipline and purpose until Christ crowns them with the imperishable wreath.

Bible passages referenced:

• 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
• 1 Corinthians 9:26
• Ephesians 6:12
• 1 Timothy 6:12
• 2 Timothy 4:7
• Matthew 7:13-14
• Matthew 4:1-11
• 1 Peter 5:8-9
• James 4:7
• Jude 1:3
• Joshua 1:9
• 1 Samuel 17
• Psalm 144:1
• Nehemiah 4
• 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
• Ephesians 6:10-18
• James 5:16
• Colossians 3:2
• Genesis 39:6-12
• John 16:33
• Galatians 5:17
• Romans 7:15-25
• Matthew 26:69-75
• Job 1-2
• Psalm 77
• Proverbs 24:10
• 1 Peter 2:11
• Philippians 3:12-14
• Hebrews 12:1-4
• Revelation 12:17
• Genesis 12-25
• Hebrews 11
• Acts 9:1-19
• Philippians 1:27
• 1 Kings 17:8-16
• Luke 22:39-46
• Matthew 2:13-16
• Isaiah 40:31
• Galatians 6:9
• Revelation 21:4