Sermon Tone Analysis

·       *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.

*8*But 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 - *2*Keep 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 - **3*When 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.