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Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 9:24—27, Philippians 3:12—14, 1 Thessalonians 2:17—20, 2 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 12:1—2
What The Olympic Games Teach Us
Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe | August 22, 1976Selected highlights from this sermon
In his letters to believers, Paul used the idea of an athlete as an illustration of the Christian life. According to Paul, whatever makes an athlete a winner, will make the Christian a winner. Pastor Wiersbe explores this illustration and encourages us to be faithful in the Christian life that we might get a reward in heaven.
Transcripts for Dr. Wiersbe's sermons are forthcoming. Below is an outline of his message.
Paul uses four illustrations repeatedly in his letters: the army, anatomy, architecture, and athletics.
Paul says that believers should put into their Christian life as athlete put into their career.
In Paul’s illustration, whatever makes an athlete a winner, will make a Christian a winner.
In Roman times, the people were very interested in sports, but Paul never uses sports as an illustration of how to get to heaven. You had to be a free citizen to compete in the games.
Paul encourages us to be faithful in the Christian life that we might get a reward in heaven.
Five essentials for being a winning Christian:
- Delight (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)
- You must find joy in something to stick with it and excel in them.
- The thing you delight in is what you live for and sacrifice
- Discipline (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
- God expects us to discipline our bodies and minds.
- An athlete learns to give up the bad and the good for the better and best.
- A lack of discipline erodes the spiritual life.
- Christians discipline themselves out of love for the Lord.
- Direction (Philippians 3:12-14)
- God has called each of us to certain ministries, and each is important.
- The direction of the Christian is forward, pressing on towards the goal of Christ Jesus.
- Determination (Hebrews 12:1-2)
- When an athlete is running a race, he strips himself to the bear essentials.
- Anything that keeps us from doing our best in the Christian life is a weight holding us back and may be a sin.
- We can look at all the heroes of the faith and be encouraged to keep going.
- We look at Jesus for strength, and, by the grace of God, we can determine to keep going.
- Duty (2 Timothy 2:5)
- As Christian athletes we must obey the rules given in the Word of God.
Are you putting as much into your Christian life as you are into hobbies?
When we stand before Jesus, He will reward us for what we have done on Earth.
