THOSE OLYMPIC GAMES

THOSE OLYMPIC GAMES

Pray for the Olympic Games in China. Pray God will open doors with these. Even in communist China, Christians are quietly sharing the message of Christ behind the scenes during the Olympics. China officially forbids evangelism. But there's not a lot the Government can do against the Olympics just now. Only the Lord knows how many Christians are in China. Estimates are at least 85 million, mostly in house churches.

"There are moments in history when a door for MASSIVE CHANGE opens. It is in these moments that key men and women risk everything to BECOME THE HINGE OF HISTORY. That pivotal point determines which way the door will swing." Lou Engle. It is the Lord's work to CHANGE and TRANSFORM people. But He works through individuals. Some trust Him to the point that they will give themselves and everything to accomplish His Purpose.

What The Olympic Games Teach Us.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:1-2 (NKJV)

"To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12 (NKJV)


1. Olympic Games in Paul's Day.

"By representing them as contestants in a racecourse, surrounded by all the faithful ones referred to in the preceding chapter (ch 11); who, as a cloud of witnesses for the truth, are represented as being also anxious spectators of the great contest for the crown of life. The imagery is drawn from the foot races then celebrated in Palestine, Greece, Italy, and other provinces of the Roman empire." Robert Milligan (Restoration pioneer)

In an outburst of joy the author of Hebrews contrasts the gloom and terror of Law, with the light and liberation of God's faithful people and the vision of the New Jerusalem as the climax of our journey of life. The Olympic Games were in some sense a celebration of humanity and victory.


2. Refined and purified.

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10 (NKJV) compare Psalm 78:38-39.

"You're standing there, all confident; then, from nowhere, DUCK! - too late, you're flat on your face. All these dark things that suck you in just prove you are human. God's not gone AWOL. HE won't let them turn up the magnetic force of temptation past your personal capacity. You'll be getting drawn in, and HE will make sure there's a door within arm's reach for you to step out of the pressure and keep your integrity. You've just got to use it!" Lacey on 1 Cor. 10:12-13.

"The most eminent of God's saints were the. most afflicted. God leads them by a way they know not (Isa 42:16). We too must look at each trial by itself, instead of taking it in connection with the whole plan of our salvation, as if a traveler were to complain of the steepness and roughness of one turn in the path, without considering that it led him into green pastures, on the direct road to the city of habitation." —Jamieson- Fausset-Brown Commentary


3. Run to win!

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Cor 9:24-25 (NKJV) [temperate - submits to training and discipline.]

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col 3:12-15 (NKJV)

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb 6:10-12 (NKJV)

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:" Heb 10:35-36 (NKJV)

Hebrews 10:35-36 (MsgB) "So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion."