The Power of Perseverance

Intro

One of the things about the Olympics is that it has provided some of the most inspiring stories for decades. (Need pic collage of these athletes)

Miracle on Ice in 1980 - US Hockey Team

Carl Lewis: Versatility and Longevity (1984-1996)

Usain Bolt: Fastest man on Earth, only person to win 3 consecutive golds in 100m and 200m ‘08, ‘12, ‘16

Michael Phelps: 23 gold and 28 total medals, most medals of all time (by 10 medals)

Simone Biles: redefined gymnastics - biological parents were addicts and grew up in a foster home - proof biology doesn’t determine destiny

No Pain, No Gain

Athletes of the 90s understand this statement

It hurts so good...really who ever says this

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

No one goes through life with out troubles and trials. We can often feel powerless in these moments. But when we persevere we find power for the times in our lives we are struggling. There is Power in Persevering.

Persevere through Persecution

Jesse Owen’s (famous photo of nazi salute next to Owen’s)

Overcoming adversity and persecution Jesse Owens is one of the most famous Olympic athletes in history. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Owens shattered Nazi propaganda by winning four gold medals in track and field. His victories in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay were a powerful statement against racism and discrimination. Owens' story is a testament to overcoming adversity and achieving greatness against all odds .

Jesse Owens’ Olympic success was unmatched until 1984, when Carl Lewis also won four Olympic gold medals in the Los Angeles Olympics. Since then, some Olympians have won more gold medals, but Jesse Owens’ Olympic gold medals stood for more than just athletic success. During a time of segregation as well as the rise of Nazi Germany, Jesse Owens rebuked Hitler’s race theory.

Jesse Owens showed the way for millions of athletes and the world at large.  Owens dedicated his time to working with kids, and was generous in sharing his time and resources.  Jesse Owens demonstrated the potential for humanity and the good that can be accomplished through courage, determination, and resiliency.

Persecution today

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

How this looks today:

We are boarding if not already experiencing a totalitarian state - may not be put in jail for our beliefs but we are being ostracized for our beliefs.

In his book, Live not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, author Rod Dreher (pic of book with quote)

a totalitarian society is one in which an ideology seeks to displace all prior traditions and institutions, with the goal of bringing all aspects of society under control of that ideology. A totalitarian state is one that aspires to nothing less than defining and controlling reality. Truth is whatever the rulers decide it is…Today’s totalitarianism demands allegiance to a set of progressive beliefs, many of which are incompatible with logic—and certainly with Christianity. Compliance is forced less by the state than by elites who form public opinion, and by private corporations that, thanks to technology, control our lives far more than we would like to admit.

John 15:18–20 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

When I decided to follow Christ, my friends literally told me they no longer really wanted me around - 30 years ago and the story still feels fresh…tell story

Persecution today can look like this:

Loss of friendship

Don’t get a promotion because your beliefs and integrity

Don’t get the job

Lose business because you won’t compromise

How we respond matters

Matthew 5:44 ESV

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Persevere through Pain

Kerri Strug

Won the first ever women’s team gold in gymnastics for US on a bad ankle

In 1996, Strug qualified for the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 as part of a stellar line-up known fondly as the Magnificent Seven. But even though this was a home Olympics and the USA were in a rich vein of form, their gymnasts had never won the team competition. The strong favourites were once again the Soviet team, who had claimed the gold medal on nine separate occasions.

But while history was against them, Team USA managed to put themselves in a commanding position as the competition neared its conclusion on 23 July 1996.

In the final rotation, the USA was leading by a dominant 0.897 points with only one competition left for them to participate in: the vault.

It would take a collapse of epic proportions for the Americans to not win their first ever team gold medal.

Perhaps it was the pressure, perhaps it was nerves, but with four athletes already having vaulted, the USA team were yet to land cleanly. But when 14-year-old Demonique Moceanu stepped up things went from bad to worse. On both of her vault attempts, the young gymnast fell.

It meant everything rode on Strug's shoulders. Her two vaults would mean the difference between gold and silver for Team USA.

With her first vault, disaster struck. She landed awkwardly on her feet and her ankle gave way underneath her. Pain was etched on Strug's face, the crowd stared on in shock, and it looked for all the world as if her competition was over.

"Do we need this?" she asked desperately as she faced up to the idea that she would have to perform her final vault with an injured ankle. The answer was yes.

Clearly hurting, Strug limped up for the gold medal-defining vault. As she catapulted herself through the air, all eyes were on the landing. When her feet hit the ground, her ankle seemed to waver as the impact of the jump shook through her body.

She raised her arms in triumph as she winced in pain.

Strug had done it. She stuck the landing and won team gold for the USA for the first time ever.

Paul

2 Corinthians 11:24–28 ESV

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Pain & Suffering is a very real part of today’s world - how we respond in the moment determines how we make it through

Senior Year running sprints

Pain of Losing Landon

How to persevere

Wealth, success and status are no real defenses against suffering or persecution

You have a choice to make

Understand it is not God’s will

Focus on the right thing

One day at a time

Abound in the work of God

You are not alone

1 Peter 4:12–14 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Romans 8:16–17 ESV

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

With Christ

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

You get to choose how to handle each moment -

Focus on the right thing

How will you fill in the gap?

Gap from where you are to where God is taking you...how will you fill it?

Worry? Fear? Anxiety? Food?

Faith and the promises of God

God’s Word -

Are we shaped more today by social media or the Word of God?

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

One Day at a Time

Matthew 6:34 ESV

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Exodus 16:21 ESV

Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

Abound in the work of God -

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.