Going for the Gold

What Makes an Olympian?

We have just recognized our champions – individuals who are a part of the iServe volunteer teams throughout the church. Volunteers are the champions, the Olympians, of the Church. They have determined to be a part of the ministry of Grace Chapel, but even larger than that, they are a part of the work of the Kingdom of God – identifying with, valuing, and putting their shoulders into the advancing the Kingdom.

Over the last week the Olympics have been taking place in Italy. Currently, the US is in 3rd place in the medal count. I’ll admit that I am not an avid Olympics viewer, but I have been picking up on bits and pieces of the events…like the USA beating the Russians in men’s hockey after a shoot-out. Or the devastating injury to the skier Lindsey Vonn.

I don’t remember an Olympics when curling got so much coverage! Sliding stones on ice 150 feet to try to put it in “the house”. It is like bocce balls but with a 44-pound stone. Regardless of the event, you have to appreciate the hours of training, commitment, and resources that go into each athlete trying to reach the podium.

It’s All About the Gold

In one promotional for the Olympics, an athlete is described as, “The DNA of an Olympic legend is shaped by an extraordinary blend of talent, dedication, and resilience. Beyond physical prowess, mental fortitude and unwavering determination drive these athletes to greatness. Their journey serves as an inspiration, reminding us all of the power of relentless pursuit and belief.”[1]

The Bible teaches us that like the Olympian’s pursuit of the gold, Christians ought to pursue the kingdom of heaven with an even greater passion.

Matthew 13:44–46 NIV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

In just two short but profound parables, Jesus teaches us that we ought to pursue heaven with everything we have.

I am no Olympian, but I do remember running, doing pushups and sit-ups, and more in pretty miserable weather in the Army. But the Army exercises put me in good physical shape that made me feel good. In high school, soccer practices and games in the rain and snow were uncomfortable. However, whether it was rain, snow, or sunshine, winning the game was fun. As Christians we are destined for more:

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

The Mindset of an Olympian

God and His kingdom are worth more than anything we can possibly imagine or cling to. Giving up everything we love should be a joyful prospect in light of the incomparable greatness of what we find in God Himself.

Champions Recognize Value

Can we appreciate value? I mean are we good at seeing something of value? I think that my brother and I destroyed some amazing baseball cards when we were kids. Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Sr., Cesar Geronimo were names that I remember and probably ended up being destroyed by the spokes of my bike. PJ, Mark, and Craig are cringing because I didn’t see the value of the cards and they know the value of good cards.

Many today don’t see the value of the kingdom. In these two parables one stumbles into a valuable treasurer while another is in the business of finding value but comes across a once in a lifetime treasure, a priceless pearl. A hidden treasure and a surprise of a lifetime…in both cases the men are immediately struck with the reality that they have found things of great value which command their next responses…

Champions Sacrifice for the Prize

After the man discovers the treasure, it takes him no time to conceal it again (probably in different location, right?) and then sells everything else he had to buy the field.

Matthew 13:44 NIV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

The pearl merchant recognized instantly the value of the one pearl, because he had measured the value of many lesser pearls throughout his life.

Matthew 13:45–46 NIV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Like the treasure finder, he went and sold everything he owned in order to possess the pearl.[3]

I believe that for most people who choose to serve Christ and for those who choose to serve in a church they have realized the value of the Kingdom and are willing to invest sacrificially through their time, talents, and treasures. A simple explanation of what Christians will experience is:

            Come and See – finding Christ and seeing the value

            Come and Be – joining community and purpose through sacrifice and commitment

            Come and Go – joining in the mission of telling others about their joy

The Kingdom of Heaven is so valuable that it calls for a total investment (radical discipleship) from those who find it. This isn’t about calculating profit margins; rather, God and His kingdom are worth more than anything we can possibly imagine or cling to, and giving up everything we love should be a joyful prospect in light of the incomparable greatness of what we find in God Himself. The kingdom’s supreme worth reframes all other losses as trivial by comparison.

I was listening to a podcast by John Bevere the other day. He was discussing ‘Why God Allows the People He Loves to Suffer’ and made an interesting point that, honestly, I’m stilling contemplating. He pointed to Romans 8:17-18

Romans 8:17–18 NIV

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Jesus’ love for us was affirmed in His willingness to suffer for us. But, Bevere says, the same is true in reverse.[4]Love that costs nothing proves nothing! Jesus proved His love on a cross. We prove ours in surrender.

Champions Refuse to Look Back

In just a few minutes the famous Nascar race, the Daytona 500 will begin. In elite racing, drivers are trained to focus primarily on what’s ahead—not what’s behind. In events like the Daytona 500, drivers do have mirrors—but they don’t stare into them. If a driver locks eyes on the rearview mirror for even a few seconds at 200 mph, disaster is almost guaranteed.

Why? Because whatever you focus on, you drift toward. Professional drivers are taught Glance back for awareness—but lock forward for victory. Learn from the past but don’t dwell on it! The moment a driver becomes consumed with who is behind them—who’s gaining, who bumped them, who passed them—they lose rhythm, confidence, and often the race.

Champions refuse to live in the mirror.

The Apostle Paul understood this mindset.

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul had plenty to look back on:

· Regrets (persecuting the church)

· Successes (religious status)

· Pain (beatings, imprisonment)

But he knew something powerful:

· If you stare at your past failures, you lose confidence.

· If you stare at your past victories, you lose hunger.

Either way, you lose momentum. Champions don’t pretend the past didn’t happen. They just refuse to drive forward while staring backward.

Go for the Gold!

Do You Understand the Value?

The Kingdom is not …silver. It’s not bronze. It’s not participation.

It is the only prize that lasts forever.

Every earthly medal tarnishes. Every trophy gathers dust. Every record gets broken.

But the crown Christ gives never fades!

Are You Willing to Pay the Price?

Today you have a choice:

            Treasure the field or walk away.

            Sell everything – or cling to comfort.

            Press on – or drift back.

There is no podium for spectators.

Champions Win, But Only Through Christ

Grace Chapel, we are not casual Christians.

· We are not mirror-watchers.

· We are not comfort-chasers.

We are Kingdom pursuers.

· We will serve.

· We will sacrifice.

· We will press on.

We will go for the Gold. And we don’t run for applause. We run for eternity.

[1]https://olympic-speakers.com/news/the-dna-of-an-olympic-legend

[2]Francis Chan and Mark Beuving, Living Crazy Love: An Interactive Workbook for Individual or Small-Group Study(Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2011), 46.

[3] Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 203–204.

[4]Bevere, John. The John Bevere Podcast. Episode 54.