I. THIS VERSE CALLS TO MIND WHAT’S HAPPENING TONIGHT IN VANCOUVER, CANDADA
A. Closing Ceremonies – Anyone Watch Opening? Anyone Watch Olympic Events?
1. Four years of hard work is over - celebration – marking end of all events
2. Medals have been handed out
3. After the flag bearers of every participating nation enter
4. The athletes all enter – not each following in blocks behind their respective flag, but all mingled together – without national distinction
B. Sounds A Little Like Heaven – Doesn’t It?
1. Years of hard work is over, competition is over, sweat & exertion is over
2. Glorious celebration to mark the end of all events
3. The rewards have been meted out
4. Gathering of the nations, all mingled together without national distinction
II. PAUL – IMAGE OF AN ATHLETE, A COMPETATOR IN HIS WRITINGS
A. Emphasizing Importance Of “Pressing” and “Reaching re-read Phil 3:12-14
B. If I Could Attach Title = GUTS & GLORY – how bad do you want it?
1. As an athlete stretches, Paul is talking about spiritual stretching
a. stretching yourself physically = push yourself – flexibility, growth
b. stretching yourself spiritually
c. exercise / PT - Stretch just to the point of slight discomfort
d. hold it just long enough- eventually discomfort goes away,
e. muscle is more pliable / range of motion increased
f. “no pain, no gain!”
2. As an athlete sets specific goals, Paul talks about setting spiritual goals
a. goals = measurable, I can know when I’ve reached the goal
b. it gives me something to press toward
c. press toward it you must – it won’t come to you, you go to it
d. Paul put it this way – read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
III. TO GROW, TO EXCEL, TO PRESS TOWARD THE PRIZE
A. Paul Emphasizes Stepping Beyond Past Achievements
1. Yes, we celebrate what God has done in the past
2. But what is he doing in the present – each has a present-day testimony
a. it’s one thing to brag about what God has done in the past
b. it’s another thing to brag on what God is doing right now!
3. Olympic athletes after tonight will begin training next week for next Olympics
a. yes they may get their picture on a box of Cheerios or get some
b. commercial endorsements – but that’s all based on past
B. To Compete In Race Of Life, Can’t Stop Training Hard, Eating Right, Conditioning
1. The athlete who’s planning on competing, the sacrifice & focus never ends
a. working hard, training, stretching, faster, longer, quicker
b. eating, training, dreaming for that next chance to compete
c. it’s in their blood
2. Q: Christian, is it in your blood? – not sitting down, but pressing forward
a. “press on” = Greek conjunction of 2 words = to “run-afraid”
b. as you press or run toward a goal – it is a fearful thing
- fear of turning back must be greater than fear of pressing forward
- fear of shriveling up, entropy – deterioration
c. got to work hard just to prevent it from going backwards
d. too many want to change & life better but unwilling to expend the energy, effort, sacrifice
e. why? The answer is simple…It hurts! It involves sacrifice
C. No Guts, No Glory!
1. When I think of Guts & Glory & the Heroes of the faith, I could point out the
a. Billy Graham’s
b. Mother Theresa’s
2. But I really think of the people who never did get much of the spotlight
a. young person who never got faith support at home, came anyway
b. man who lost most precious thing in his life, rage of alcoholism, fought back and will finish the race
c. elderly person in so much pain, temptation to give up, battle on
3. Not star Gold-Medal athletes like Lindsey Vonn, Shawn White, Apolo Ohno who will get their fame and endorsements
4. But the ones who never gold-medaled, but battled to finish with dignity
IV. JUST LOOK AT THE STORIES OF GUTS & GLORY FROM THE PAST 2 WEEKS
A. US Cross-Country Skier - Kris Freeman
1. Ten yrs ago diagnosed diabetic – doctors, “he would never compete again”
2. Kris Freeman trained & made the Olympic team
3. During 30 KM race a week ago – everything ok – tucked in a group of 20 racers – just 11 seconds behind the leader
4. At half-way point – no Kris Freeman – he was “missing
5. "I got a twinge that something was wrong, and then a few minutes later I came to a standstill . . . No one was coming to help me, because my coaches weren¹t around, and people thought I just dropped out of the race, so they wanted to leave me alone."
6. But Freeman started yelling to the crowd, asking for sugar.
a. German coach prodded spectators to go through their bags
b. gave Freeman a PowerAde drink and one of the goo packets that endurance athletes use to keep their energy stores up.
c. was enough sugar to get Freeman up and skiing
d. didn’t want a “DNF” beside his name “Did Not Finish”
7. Freeman finished last – point is – he finished the race
8. Guts & Glory! - how bad do you want to cross the finish line?
B. Slovenian cross-country star Petra Majdic
1. Just before her race – during a training run, - 10 feet down into rocky hole
2. Bruised up, she refused to bow out and went on to begin the race
a. race involves Four 1.4 Kilometer loops over hilly, twisty terrain
b. major lung exertion and hard poling by both arms and torso
3. She managed to capture bronze
4. Crossing finish line – immediately taken to a hospital
a. checked by doctors
b. had raced with 4 broken ribs & collapsed lung
5. Guts & Glory! - how bad do you want to cross the finish line?
C. Canadian Figure Skater - Joannie Rochette
1. Her mother said these words 1 week before they traveled to Vancouver : "I always encouraged her to have confidence in herself, to believe in her dreams . . . The hurdles she faces motivate her to rise above them, Joannie has always been naturally determined and persevering."
2. Less than 2 hours after arriving in Vancouver – mother died of heart attack
3. Just 2 short days later, biting her lip, Joannie took the ice to compete
4. With her grieving dad watching, with the whole world rooting for her, it was an Olympic performance that few imagined possible
5. Confidence / dreams / determined / persevering . . . a mother's public thoughts carried her through those 2 long minutes on ice
6. She soared, she skipped, she danced, she scored
8. It was worth a personal best 71.36 – worthy of a Bronze Medal
9. Guts & Glory – Christian – how bad do you want it?
IV. THERE’S NO WAY HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE MEDAL STAND
A. 19 Yr-Old Speed-Skater JR Celski.
1. Going into final turn the 1,500-meter short-track speed skating final
2. J.R. Celski was fifth – skating behind Apolo Ohno who was in 4th
3. The South Korean skaters had a firm grasp on the gold, silver and bronze.
4. And then inexplicably, two of the South Koreans crashed, and Celski followed teammate Apolo Anton Ohno across the finish line to stunningly finish second and third.
B. A Bigger Reason Why It Should Have Been Impossible For Him To Have Been On That Medal Stand
1. 5-months earlier - Olympic trials - horrible skating accident – full speed
2. Skate of a competitor sliced through his thigh
3. Lay on the ice – profusely bleeding
4. Cut = 6” wide x 2” deep – barely missing major artery
C. "When I was laying on that ice, I was in defeat at first . . . I thought my whole career was over. But I guess in those moments is where we truly define ourselves."
D. "After it happened, I knew I needed to get back on my feet…”
E. Medical Director For The US Olympic Team Said, "There are never any guarantees with an injury like this, but I will say this: Whatever happens to J.R., it will not be because of a lack of effort. He is working so, so hard,"
F. By October, Celski was able to throw away his crutches. Though he still couldn't skate, he stayed motivated by going down to a rink near his place at the training center in Colorado and watching his friends…
G. He finally got back on the ice on November 16, just 8 weeks before the Olympics. It was difficult for him, and he was tentative and he skated very slowly,
H. In Just 8 Short Weeks, He Was Able To Get Strong Enough To Compete
1. Skated the 1500 meter short track
2. That night, stood proudly on medal stand with a Bronze around his neck
I. Guts & Glory – how bad do you want it?
V. IT’S WORTH IT – PAUL SAYS GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT
A. You May Feel Injured, Broken – All The More Reason To Put The Past Behind You And Press Forward
B. At Some Point You Got To Throw Away Your Spiritual Crutches And Get Back On The Ice – There’s A Race To Be Won
C. Paul Said – but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
VI. Closing Hymn – “I’m Going On” or “I’m Pressing On”
