Friday, June 18, 2010

#32) Christian Olympics

Christian Olympics

The Olympics are an exciting time. Countless people come together to watch everything from basketball goals to gymnastics to figure skating. Despite all of these events being very different from each other, they all share one common theme. That theme is discipline. Many of the contenders devote their entire lives to training for one particular event in hopes of winning the gold.

Ask congregation how many have ever thought of ourselves as Olympic athletes.

We actually have a lot in common. At least, we should have a lot in common. The unfortunate truth is that many Christians today don’t think about the personal discipline required of us if we truly desire to have a strong walk with God. Many of us go about our lives, go to church on Sundays, pray before meals, and read our Bibles when we can remember to do so. It is a tragic reality that I’m sure many, if not all of us, can relate to. The fact of the matter is that Christianity requires a strong form of self discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.


Paul has a lot to say in that passage. We are going to break some of it down as well as add to it. Hopefully, by the end, we will all be of the same belief that being a Christian should be no easy task but that the reward is well worth it.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.


Is this saying that all Christians are competing against each other and that only one of us will be saved in the end? Of course not! The great news is that we are only competing with ourselves and the trials that stand in our way. Picture an Olympic athlete who has trained all his life for the very race he is competing in. As soon as the gun goes off, this man takes off like never before. He has every intention of winning this race even if it kills him. He isn’t going to let anything stand in his way. This is the same way Paul urges us to run our race. Run in such a way that we may win. Our race is certainly not the short point A to point B type. We have all sorts of twists and turns that seem to go on and on. Just as any long distance runner, we must have endurance in order to run so that we may win.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God

Hebrews 12:1b-2
And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set out before Him endured the cross,


We are not to be content standing still. There are far too many complacent and stagnant Christians who have little to no growth and have almost no desire to learn the Word of God for all it has to say.

Ask congregation to silently answer how often they study their Bible.

R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man, pg 77
You can never have a Christian mind without reading the Scriptures regularly because you cannot be profoundly influenced by that which you do not know.


Paul urges us to press on to maturity. He spoke of this very same maturity to the people of Corinth.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as spiritual men, but as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,

Psalm 119:97-98
O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.


The people of Corinth were infants in Christ in many ways. If we don’t even know what God is telling us in His Word, how do we ever expect to mature? Too many in America today would fall under the same “infant” category that Paul used to describe the Corinthians.

James 1:2
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


The only way we can run the race is with endurance. The only way we can build our endurance is to press on through the trials of life by fixing our eyes on Jesus. The only way we can fix our eyes on Jesus is through maturity and discipline by diving into the Word.

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2 Timothy 2:5
Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.


Take a moment to think about the weight room on the ship. There are quite a few amateur athletes in there who are trying to bulk up. They spend hours per day lifting weights. They spend countless dollars on protein shakes. They count every calorie that enters their body. Now take someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime and multiply it by infinity. In order to get the intended result, self-control is a necessary rule that must be strictly followed.

The Olympic athletes of Paul’s day would train from day one all in order to win the wreath. This wreath carried with it a sense of popularity, respect, and pride. It is the equivalent of the gold medal that we have today. You win the gold and you are almost guaranteed to get a magazine article, a commercial, endorsements, etc. While all of this is wonderful, Paul’s point is that we are competing for something so much greater that it does not even compare. All of those rewards are temporary and will one day perish whereas ours are eternal and imperishable.

James 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Matthew 6:20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;


If Olympic athletes can maintain such level of self-control for something perishable, why is it so difficult, as a Christian, to maintain the same, if not an even greater, level of self-control?

1 Corinthians 9:26a
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;


Paul always had a goal in mind. Just as an Olympic runner would never run aimlessly, Paul never ran without a purpose. He knew his calling and he ran full force toward the finish line. He never lost sight of it.

1 Corinthians 9:26b
I box in such a way, as not beating the air;


Just as Paul always had a goal in mind, he also always had a very real plan of attack. He states very boldly that he never shadow boxed. He always fought very real opponents.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.


We are in a spiritual battle whether we like it or not. Satan and his demons are always attacking us. Most often, the attacks come in the form of temptation. Whether it be a temptation to sleep in instead of going to church, speak spiteful remarks out of pride instead of keeping our mouths shut, or any other combination, a battle is always waging. The only way to know our opponent is to stay in Scripture. The battle plan is laid out in Scripture. The enemies’ weak points are laid out in Scripture. Our battle strategy is laid out in Scripture. An Olympic boxer doesn’t enter the ring swinging at an imaginary opponent. He looks for the opportunity and takes action. He stays a step ahead and swings with a purpose.

1 Corinthians 9:27
but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.


Discipline has to be one of the most difficult things to perform and perfect. It is so easy to set discipline aside for a moment and then forget to pick it back up. Part of the reason for this is because discipline often hurts. We are creatures of comfort who tend to avoid pain if we can help it. I think back to the days of seeing my friends come back from football practice looking like they were ready to drop to the floor. However, as time progressed, they became less weary after practice and instead, became more disciplined. They knew their maneuvers inside and out. They had more endurance than ever. Their hard work and discipline paid off.

Paul speaks of making his body his slave. We have to realize that he is not necessarily speaking of a literal body as much as he is the Christian faith. He spent so much of his time teaching others and preaching Christ crucified that the very thought of neglecting his own walk and being disqualified was unthinkable. Just as the Olympic athlete needs to maintain a certain standard to qualify, the Christian has his or her very own set of standards. Paul uses the word “discipline” however, a better word to use would be “bruise”. The NIV uses the phrase “beat my body.” The Greek word used is hupopiazo (hoop-o-pee-ad’-zo) which means to hit under the eye or to disable an antagonist. Paul was willing to give himself a black eye so to speak if it meant keeping himself in check so that he might not only qualify but also run the race to completion.

1 Timothy 4:7b
Discipline yourselves for the purpose of godliness;


We are very limited in our wording with English. It is difficult to get the full effect of what is being conveyed without going back to the original Greek. In English, we see Paul uses the word “discipline” yet again. Before, it meant to hit below the eye. This time, a different Greek word is used. That word is gumnazo (goom-nad-zo) which means to practice naked. It is where we get our word for gymnasium. The word has always implied a sense of discipline.

One way Greek Olympic athletes ensured peak performance was to perform their events naked. This would prevent getting caught up in any loose clothing. We have to remember Spandex didn’t exist back then. Their loose robes would be a hindrance so they cast them off without even thinking twice. It was just normal practice.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Romans 6:12
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,

Romans 13:12b
Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness

Ephesians 4:22
That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,


Just as the athletes would strip their burdensome clothing, we should lay aside our old selves and any forms of sin that hold us down. Cast it aside and run the race with endurance! Here are a few ways that we can all practice with purpose and produce the results we seek out.

READ

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.


HEAR

Romans 10:17
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.


STUDY

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.


MEMORIZE

Psalm 119:11
Your word I have treasured in my heart that I might not sin against You.


MEDITATE

Joshua 1:8
This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.

Psalm 1:2-3
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither,; and in whatever he does, he prospers.


APPLY

James 1:22
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.


OBEY

John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.


SHARE

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.


My prayer is that each and every one of us will be able to quote Paul in the end and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

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