Olympic Christianity

With all the hoop-lah over the Olympics lately (and yes, I'm part of that hoop-lah when gymanstics is on!), the Lord prompted me to prepare a Bible study lesson for my girls at American Chinese Fellowship on the topic of Olympic Christianity. I was greatly impacted by this study and decided to post it here, complete with the insights from my Bible study girls in answer to questions I posed. Despite the fact that this post is therefore considerably longer than usual, I hope it will be a blessing to those who read it. May it cause each one of us to examine our Christian lives in the light of God's Word, and cause us to walk more closely with Him.

Olympic Christianity:

- Sacrifice - Determination - Discipline
- Focus - Hard Work

Sacrifice

When you think of an Olympian, what sacrifices do they have to make in order to achieve their dream of an Olympic medal?

"Family relationships, food, normal school life, free time, sleep, entertainment, hobbies, private life."

Read the following verses to understand the concept of sacrifice in a Christian's life:

Romans 12:1,

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Philippians 3:7-8
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

What sacrifices will a Christian possibly be called upon by the Lord to make for His sake?

"Life, family relationships, ambitions, material possessions, worldy 'success', reputation."

Determination

In order to make it into the Olympics, let alone win a medal, athletes must be determined. Determination is a mindset that says, “I will achieve this goal no matter what the cost is.” This mindset then lives itself out in disciplined actions, perseverance in the sport, a willingness to push oneself more each day, a steady focus on the goal, and sheer hard work. Without the mindset of determination, it would be much easier for an athlete to give up in his pursuit of making it to the Olympics and winning gold.

In Christianity, determination is also a key factor. A Christian determination is a mindset which says, “Because Jesus paid it all for me, I will live completely for Him. I will strive for the goal of pleasing Him in every way possible, no matter the cost. I will give my life to His service and will not deny the Lord who saved me.”

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 10:22-23
Let us draw neart with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised).

Discipline

In what ways do Olympians have to be discipline in order to win a gold medal?
"Work-out schedule, the food they eat, the sleeping schedule they maintain."

Areas for a Christian to be disciplined:

- Daily Bible reading
- Prayer
- Faithfulness in church
- Giving tithes and offerings
- Personal hygiene
- Healthy eating habits
- Cleanliness and orderliness

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate(self-controlled) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

II Timothy 2:1,3
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Thou therefore endure hardness as a good solider of Jesus Christ.

Focus

An Olympian’s focus must be on bettering himself in the sport, performing it with excellence, and winning the prize. Distractions must be ignored and obstacles overcome in order to maintain this focus.

So it is with the Christian. Our focus must be on Jesus; His glory, His work, His reward. We cannot let distraction or obstacles hinder us!

Hebrews 12:1-2
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…

II Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

What are some examples of “affairs of this life” that could be distractions to a Christian?

"Hollywood/movies, video games, computer games, boyfriends, shopping."

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 4:25-27
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Hard Work

Becoming an Olympian takes sheer hard work. Winning a gold medal takes hard work. World class athletes do no have easy lives, easy schedules, or easy goals. Neither does the Christian.
Living as a follower of Christ is hard. While there is much joy along the way, there is also much hard work building the Kingdom of God; often suffering and persecution as well. It is not easy to be a living sacrifice, to turn the other cheek, to give away what is valuable, to minister to the hurting and destitute, to serve others at personal expense, to praise the Lord when mocked or imprisoned for His Name’s sake. But it is always worth it in the end.

Colossians 3:23
Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being revilved, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of this world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Hebrews 11:33-38
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valient in fight, turned to flight the armies of aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflickted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).

The Christian’s “Gold Medal”:

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hands.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

- Rhea F. Miller