Go For Gold SERMON 31 AUG 2008
· Go For Gold
· The Olympics just finished. Isn’t it amazing to watch these amazing athletes excel, surpass themselves. They beat world records, Olympics records.
· They stand on the podium and are so proud when they are acclaimed by the crowds and watch all over the world.
ILLUSTRATION
On June 15, 1957, a brand-new car was buried under the courthouse lawn in Tulsa. In June 2007, the car was unearthed as the city celebrated Oklahoma’s 100th year of statehood.
Time had turned the once shiny car into a rusted monument to the past.
Spiritual inactivity corrodes the soul like moisture acting on metal.
Paul urged Timothy, But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. —1 Timothy 6:11
The spiritual disciplines require continued attention throughout our lives. If rest becomes our goal, then rust is right behind.
Oswald Chambers said: “The intellect works with the greatest intensity when it works continuously; the more you do, the more you can do. We must work hard to keep in trim for God. Clean off the rust and keep bright by use.”
Regardless of our age, pursuing the righteous life to which God has called us should never end. Don’t rust out! — David C. McCasland
Rom 2:7 NLT He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.
Bible uses expressions as: PURSUE, SEEK, RUN, COMPETES , STRIVES, DO YOUR BEST.
Develop into an athlete
Heb 12:1 NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
CLOUD OF WITNESSES
· Athletes who ran before you
· Athletes who participates along with you in the games and are watching
· (Professional commentators along with former athletes—often champion who won medals) help us understand the judges’ decisions (Do you disagree or wonder about decisions?)
(artistic, level of difficulties and certain routines that must take place, etc.
4 important expressions - LAY ASIDE - LET US RUN - ENDURANCE - THE RACE (AGON)
JESUS the supreme athlete (when it comes to faith)
(Heb 12:2) looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God
THE AUTHOR AND FINSHER OF OUR FAITH
· The pioneer and finisher of our faith
· The source and goal of our faith
The author – he’s done it first – the model, example to follow and to be inspired with
MESSAGE - 2Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
The finisher – The coach, the trainer
I was listening to an interview with the Gold winners of the rowing team (* athletes). One question is where should money be invested? In a Trainer (Coach)
· our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end
· who leads us and makes our faith complete
Coach and training - The pain and power of mental toughness
Mike Spracklen creates the most demanding training regime in the world. We train every day in sun, rain, snow, hail, strong wind and high waves.
I have crystal memories of pea-sized hail flicking my ears, rowing shells sinking because of high wind and waves, my sliding seat freezing and not moving, my body freezing and barely moving.
I remember watching a few athletes put their boat away because of bad weather. Mike with his calm, soft British accent asked what they were doing. “We’re putting our boat away. Its far too windy to row.” “That’s OK,” he replied, “Not everyone can be a world champion.”
· Expressions describing what the super athlete had to go through: Endured (Cross, pain, hostility)
Despised the shame (The put down, insults)- if you miss one time, you get up and try again
Striving (doing its best)
2008 – Beijing - Australian Steve Hooker has won the gold medal in the pole vault at the Beijing Olympics.
· And it's hard to believe four years ago Hooker cleared just 5.30m and failed to make the Olympic final in Athens.
· At those Olympics Hooker's technique lacked speed and was quietly laughed at by other coaches. He placed 28th at the 2004 Games. Here he is No. 1.
· Hooker entered the competition at a height of 5.60m, at his first attempt.
· Then the bar was raised to 5.80, which he cleared on his third and final try.
· Hooker then missed with his initial two attempts at 5.85m before he cleared a height of 5.90 metres on his last effort.
Hooker set a new Olympic record of 5.96m with his second attempt.
"That was without question the hardest thing I've done in my life, physically and mentally,"
"I feel like I have that self confidence now, where I can stand at the end of the runway, "
(So that you will not grow weary and lose heart)
message - 3When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
(Another great Athlete)PAUL- The mind of Paul
Phil 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
I COUNT ALL THINGS A LOSS IN VIEW OF THE SURPASSING VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST.
· Are you proud of knowing Christ? Do you represent your heavenly nationality in an honourable manner? ( Flag of the kingdom of God)
Paul’s training method in preparing for gold
Phil 3: 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
· Not perfect yet (Can do better)
· I press on … that I may lay hold of (must continue to press on for a better mark, to lay hold of) –goal
· (Special ) I was laid hold of by JC
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
· One thing I do (forgetting behind- reaching forward) (Vision) Mind set
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The prize is the upward call of God- (4 years of training for a prize)
· The team captain cheering his team mates
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
· Paul’s blog – (Athletes are using blogs to stay in touch with their supporters and families)
The disciplines of an athlete
1 Cor 9:23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
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.
· All those who run – They’re all running
· but only one receives the prize
· Run for the gold (Mr Phelps would be a good illustration) 8 gold
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.
· Perishable wreath & imperishable wreath
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
· I run in such a way
· I box in such a way
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.
Disqualified
A gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Games, Matos was winning the match 3-2 against Kazakhstan's with 1:02 in the second round when he fell to the mat after being hit.
· Taekwondo athlete Angel Matos of Cuba faces a lifetime ban after kicking the referee in the face following his disqualification in a bronze-medal match Saturday at the Beijing Games.
Competition rules
Olympic competition is excellent because Regardless of race, creed, religion, colour or political orientation, anyone who follows the simple rules of competition is free to test their bravery and ability against the best athletes of the world.
Training
Badminton is a very physical sport. It requires the aerobic fitness to be able to last for up to an hour per match (with up to three matches per day), while also demanding the fitness of being able to move very quickly and explosively around the court.
Badminton players train from 15 to more than 25 hours a week, usually six days a week. These hours are spent on the badminton court training specific drills and playing matches, as well as off the court in the gym lifting weights, running, biking and doing plyometric exercises. Plyometrics are speed and power exercises that train the fast twitch muscle fibres to react in a more explosive way. (Think aerobic class on fast forward).
Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in a specific sport. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal.
Footwork training
Footwork training is a must in every badminton player’s training plan. It’s actually a lot like dancing.
Footwork is basically badminton without the shuttle. You move around the court for specific time intervals, swinging as if you were hitting the bird, practicing the movements and teaching your body to memorize them while moving as quickly and efficiently as possible.
When you play badminton at a high level, every single step you make is accounted for, almost like a routine. The footwork required to move to and away from a shot changes in a split second, depending on which shot you have just hit and whether or not you’re in an offensive or defensive position.
Paul Wylie
During the winter Olympic in Calgary (88), Paul Wylie performing in figure skating in front of 20,000 people was very nervous. During his 1st jump, he touched the ice and heard the thousands of voices of disapproval – (In a fraction of a second he had a choice- abandon or continue and do his best).
This Psalm came to his mind:
Ps 37:24 Message - 24If he stumbles, he's not down for long; GOD has a grip on his hand.
GNT - 24If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up.
He chose to skate for the Lord and at the end; the crowd gave him an ovation for his courage and determination.
“Succeed is to get up again as many times as one fell.”
WFSM: What was your most memorable skating moment?
Wylie: "Albertville, 1992. Against the odds, I delivered the best performances of my career when all the chips were down. There was so much personal drama in it for me. It was my last performance of my amateur career, and I had made the team by one-tenth of a point. Reporters and judges were all calling on me to retire in my final season, but God was able to turn all of that around into a "happy ending," re-writing the end of my career with an exclamation point! Sure I trained harder and better for the event, but I believe the kind of turnaround I experienced was only possible with God's help, and he used the foolishness of my small, checkered figure skating career as an example of Grace."
Eric Liddell – Gold medal- 400 meters in 1924 Paris. A year later, he left for China where he spent 20 years.
In fact he ran the longest race of his life against opponents that we know well (Tough times, war, uncertainties, and sicknesses)
He was put in a Japanese prison camp along with 1500 other prisoners. There he lived (1 Cor 13:6-8)
He served others in needs bringing water to old people, being a referee for the teenagers games. He died of a tumour of the brain in 1945.
People said of him: He lived better than he preached.
He ran victoriously across the most difficult race…
Eric's Legacy
Although Eric was acclaimed as a national hero because of how he ran his Olympic race in Paris on July 11, 1924, this is not why we remember him as a hero. Dozens of other Olympians won gold in the 1924 games, and few, if any, are remembered today. The athletic heroes of yesteryear are seldom considered heroes by succeeding generations, since they are often quickly replaced by the newest sports sensation.
Eric Liddell remains a hero today because of how he ran the race of life. He did not live his life to earn prizes or the applause of other people. Rather, he lived his life and ran his race to glorify God. His legacy lives on in the people he influenced for God and the example he leaves for all of us to follow.
The oldest athletes in BJ Olympics
Equestrian rider Hiroshi Hoketsu of Japan, who is 67 years old (2nd Olympics).
· Israeli marathon runner Haile Satayin was one of the oldest athletes at the Beijing Olympics.
He immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia. While his passport says he's 53, he says he's only 48.
· Most days, Satayin gets up around 4:30 a.m. and runs at least a half-marathon before it gets too hot. He placed 20th in the world at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
"It would be great to win a medal, but in any case I'll compete and do my best. I'm the oldest runner there, and I thank God that he's given me strength to run. As long as I can, I'll keep running," he says.
There will be athletes well into their 40s and 50s in other sports besides equestrian. Six-time Olympian trap shooter Susan Nattrass of Canada is 57. Canadian fencer Luan Jujie, 50, will be at her fourth Olympics. French cyclist Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli will be back for her eighth Games at age 49.
“What people don’t understand is that athletes who get to this level are not normal — obviously they are not physically normal, but psychologically and emotionally, these people are about as competitive as they come,” Joyner said.
ILLUSTRATION
A Pastor’s wife had lost her husband to cancer (48 years old)
Why? A servant of God? So young? But for years there were no response.
Then while reading the death of Christ, the answer came…
John 17:4 4I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. NKJV
Philosopher William James wrote: “The value of a life is calculated not by his length, but by his contribution.”
If Jesus would have continued his life after his (God assigned) work was done, (doing more miracles wouldn’t have added more value to his contribution.
Paul Powell: “Our harvest is not always gathered during our lifetime.
Only one life
A plaque on a desk: Only one life, ’twill soon be past / Only what’s done for Christ will last.
According to Jesus, it’s what God thinks of us that matters, not what others think.
Jesus instructed us to pray in a closed room, where no one could see us, rather than in a public place where we might get credit for being spiritual (Matt. 6:6).
Do we seek for attention and achievement? Jesus invites us to let go of that competitive struggle, to trust that God’s opinion of us is the only one that ultimately counts.
How would our lives differ if we truly played to an audience of One?