Life Is a Game: Play It for All You Are Worth 9/24/00

I Corinthians 9:24-27

JESUS CHRIST should be our primary source of motivation.

Coach Grant Teaff, one of the most successful football coaches in the history of Baylor University, the only coach to beat the University of Texas ten times, told me he made an on going study of the crucifixion of Christ because it was the ultimate sacrifice. He acknowledged that if he was going to ask his players to sacrifice for the good of the team he should have an understanding of what sacrifice really way. He used this example of Christ to motivate his teams. Christ’s example in life and death is a matchless motivating factor.

Last week a dear friend asked me what motivates me. I have thought a lot about that this week and resorted to our text for a fuller explanation. Nothing motivates like a good example.

Sixteen years ago a little eight year old girl named Brooke Bennett watched the American swimmer Janet Evans win a gold medal. Right then she was motivated and resolved to strive for the same. This week Brooke Bennett won her gold medal in Sydney and no one was more proud than her model Janet Evans.

Mike Marsh, Barcelona Gold Medalist in the 200 meters, tells of a friend who was a coach urging him to participate in track without success. He finally motivated him to watch one of the world’s greatest athletes run on TV. Mike watched Carl Lewis and was fired with excitement. He was motivated by Carl’s example as no one had ever been able to motivate him. That motivation created an Olympic Gold Medalist in the person of Mike Marsh.

You may lack motivation for life. You may be without motivation to achieve your best in life. If you study the life of Christ you will find inexhaustible motivation in Him. He then can create in you the best “you,” you have the capacity of becoming. Contained in that “best you” is the most happiness and contentment for which you have the capacity.

Will it make you a Gold Medalist? Likely not, but there are other benefits. There is an old TV ad that will illustrate this.

A famous athlete is depicted as using a certain deodorant. An aspiring younger athlete holds up a container of the deodorant and asks, “If I use “Ban” will it make doors open for me?”

A voice comes from nowhere saying, “No, but it will make windows open.”

Turning to Christ in faith and trusting Him as Savior might not make you a Gold Medalist but it will make you the best “you,” you can be. Trust Him and see! He will motivate you
to strive to be your best at everything you do.

Our text is a vivid summary of the drive and dynamic resulting from following Christ. The letter is addressed to Christians in Corinth. This great city with a population of 500,000 was the “Vanity Fair” of the Roman Empire. It was one of the most famous “good time cities” of all times. It was an athletic crazed city. The Isthmus Games, which were larger than the Olympic Games, were held in Corinth.

In considering what was required to participate in the games we can gain insight into what is involved in serving our Lord Jesus. To participate you had to – – –

I. BE A CITIZEN
Athletes represented various Greek City States. To represent a city the athlete had to prove he was a citizen of that city.

To represent Jesus Christ you must be able to prove you belong to Him. That is, that you have by faith trusted Him in the forgiveness of sin. It is as simple as A, B, C.

A. – ACKNOWLEDGE you are a sinner.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That’s us.

B. – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ.
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…”

C. – CONFESS Christ as Savior.
“…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you. How about last night? Some have established their citizenship but failed to become competitors.

II. BE CONTROLLED
One common characteristic of every great athlete is self- control. To participate in the Isthmus Games every athlete had to check into the training facility nine months before the games. When they checked-in they checked-out of society. They went into isolation from the public and were completely cut off from everything and everyone outside.

The Greek word describing this experience is AGONIZOMAI. Various translations of the Greek New Testament make its meaning more understandable. Some are:
“Every man who strives for the matches trains himself by all manner of self-restraint.”

Josh Davis, the swimmer who won three gold medals, spoke of his twelve years of training that resulted in a few moments of glory. Our life time of discipline will result in an eternity of glory.

“Anyone who enters a contest goes into strict training.”

The many splendid athletes competing in the Olympics have done so. There is an English word that has come from the Greek word describing this intensive training. It can be heard in the Greek word AGONIZOMAI. Our word is “agony.”

If you are going to follow Christ submit to the self-discipline required to be obedient to Him.

III. BE COACHABLE
Each participant in the Isthmus Games was given a personal trainer. He was the athlete’s master. What he said the athlete did. If we are going to be spiritual victors we must submit to Christ as our master\trainer.

If you have watched gymnasts they listen intently to their coaches just before their event. They then go out and try to do exactly what the coach said do. So must we.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

IV. BE COMPLIANT
Every competitor did the same exercises during this nine months of agony. The boxer, distance runner, weight lifter, jumper, and sprinter all did the same exercises. Today greater knowledge and techniques let it be known various exercises need to be tailored to the sport.

The point this illustrates is there are no favorites with the Lord. We are all alike.

They wore only oil and nothing else. In Scripture oil is used as an illustration of the Holy Spirit. He is often represented as associated with oil.

If we are going to strive for the mastery in spiritual matters we must allow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, to cover and control us.

V. BE CERTAIN “Not as uncertain”
If you want a victorious spiritual life it requires being spiritually focused. The word in verse 26 translated “uncertainty” is ADELOS and it means “I do not run without clarity.”

Every athlete comes to the games with clarity of purpose. Each knows in what he or she is to compete and is focused on that.

What is your goal in life?

Are you a wondering generality or a meaningful specific?

VI. BE COMMITTED
Athletes have to make demands of their bodies.

Your body is a demanding master if it isn’t a good servant.

In the months leading up to the game in which we played the Brazilian Olympic team I trained hard. Training methods were not as defined as now nor was equipment as sophisticated. My personal road work involved running long distances on gravel roads. To toughen myself and build endurance to pain I ran bare footed. When I think of today’s sophisticated shoes I get envious.

It all paid off when we won and I was given the game ball for being the high scorer in the game.

Spiritual victory doesn’t happen without keeping your body under control.

VII. BE A COMPETITOR “Thus I fight …”
The figure of speech now changes from a runner to that of a fighter. In 684 B.C. the Olympic Games were expanded to include boxing.

“Thus I fight not as one who beats the air…”

This is a description of a person shadow boxing — pretending. The Christian life isn’t a pretend world. It is for real.

To gain an understanding of what was involved in boxing in the Isthmus Games let me share these insights.

The boxer wore only oil and a pair of potentially lethal gloves. That’s all. These gloves were known as “Caestus.” They consisted of leather thongs set with metal knobs of lead or iron. Round one began with the competitors towing a line and starting at a given signal. Round one ended when one of the boxers had been knocked out or killed. Round two began when the boxer who had been knocked out was revived. He was then given a certain amount of time to resume the fight. A line was drawn and he had to tow the line within the time limit. When he did round two began. The fight ended when one had either been killed or beaten senseless.

We too have to tow the line for Jesus.

There was a technical term employed in boxing used in the text. The decisive first blow was the “fist blow under the eye” known in the Greek as the HUP-OPIAZO. “Hupo” meaning “under” and “ops” meaning “eye.” It was the term of that era comparable to our term “knock out.” In our text it is used in the Greek and translated “I buffet” or “I discipline my body” (vs. 27).

In verse 27 the word in the AKJ translated “disqualified” and in the AKJ “Castaway” is ADOKIMOS.

It was a word used to describe an heirloom that had become cracked and no longer being usable was put on a shelf.

Do you discipline your body? Is there ever a craving you desire that you know to be wrong and you say “NO,” to your body?

Are there quantities of food your body craves and you discipline your body to abstain. Are there times your body indicates it feels lazy and you discipline it to get the exercise needed? Are there sexual drives you know to be inappropriate and you discipline your body and exercise self-control?

Like such a boxer we must mentally use our spiritual resources to control our bodies if we are to be spiritual victors.

VIII. BE CROWNED
If an athlete didn’t do all this he became disqualified.

If he did strive for the mastery and became a winner there was a reward.

When the Olympics were held in Atlanta Michael Johnson set a new world record in the 200 meter dash. Joe DeLoach, winner of the gold medal in the 200 meters in Barcelona commented: “Michael Johnson didn’t just break my record, he smashed it. That just goes to show how temporary are the earthly things we strive for.” Why would one go through nine months of agony? Why would one be willing to box in such a fight? Because of the award awaiting.

They didn’t give medals. They gave leaf crowns. In verse 25 it is described as a “perishable crown.” That was only part of the award.

The Olympic Games honored Zeus, also known as Jupiter. The wreath was made of olive branches, a tree preferred by Zeus. At the Isthmian Games, which honored the mythical Greek sea god Poseidon, the wreath was made from the god’s sacred tree the spruce.

Before the contests the wreath was placed at the feet of the statue honoring the god of the games. At Olympia it was Zeus. At the Isthmian Games it was Poseidon. This was referred to as “the joy lying before them.” It was a term used of Christ enduring the cross because of the “joy lying before Him.”

There are five different crowns mentioned in the New Testament. The faithful were crowned:
The Victorious Fighter with the wreath of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8).
The Steadfast Runner with the unfading wreath (I Corinthians 9:25, 26).
The One Faithful unto Death with the wreath of life (Revelation 2: 10, James 1:12).
The Unselfish Laborer with the wreath of Honor (I Thessalonians 2:19).
The one who is an Example to Others with the wreath of glory (I Peter 5: 3, 4).

He was then taken back to his home town for a celebration. If the city was walled as most were a hole was cut in the city wall in the profile of the athlete. After he entered through it, once again it was sealed.

A parade followed in which the athlete rode through the city in a chariot. The people celebrating threw flowers in his path. Women splashed perfume on him.

The parade led to the center of the city where he was greeted by the equivalent of the mayor. There the city poet read an ode to him about himself. Next, the mayor presented him a citation which in part gave him a life-time exemption from income tax. Now you know why they were willing to compete!

If they did all that for an corruptible crown how much more we should be willing to strive for an incorruptible crown!
That is a term referring to a heavenly home with our Lord.

The reward awaiting all faithful citizens of the kingdom who go through agony in obedience to the Master is a heavenly home. That will make it all worth while.

In the Book of the Revelation is given another depiction of the honor given a winner. It has a spiritual application.

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).

That is the ultimate reward awaiting the person who will spiritually “compete for the prize,” that is, “strive for the mastery.”

The Four Gifts of the Wise Men

The Wise Men traveled over a thousand miles to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child. In doing so they evidenceD characteristics becoming of all. They were warm-hearted and worshipful.

Scripture assigns more than one use and symbolism to each of the items. Origen, who died in A.D. 251, was the first writer to prescribe specific symbolism to each. He said the Magi brought “gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to God.”

Frankincense, literally means “pure incense.” It comes from  a Boswellia tree grown in limestone rocks in South Arabia and Somalia. An incision was made in the bark of the tree and the white sap formed the frankincense.

Myrrh comes from the odoriferous Balsamodendron tree of Arabia. It was used as a perfume, an anaesthetic, and also anointing the dead. This gift associated with death may have caused the brow of the maiden mother to furrow at the reflective thought of the message spoken by the angel regarding a sword that would pierce her heart.

The recipient of these gifts was of inestimable merit to the Wise Men who undertook their arduous journey to pay homage to the Christ child.

They considered His presence worthy of their presents.

Of the gifts offered the fourth is most often overlooked. It was their worship. In Jerusalem the wise men had expressed to Herod the purpose of their mission, acknowledging they had “come to worship Him.” Conjecture regarding the nature of the star and absorption with the three material gifts often causes their real objective to be obscured. They left their homes, braved the desert, and endured the fatigue for this moment of worship. Doubtless it remained an immortal moment locked in the treasury of their memory bank.

Not all can give the three uncommon gifts normally referenced, however all can give Him worship. Those who give Him worship have no difficulty giving their substance.

Their form of worship is a needed additive in today’s style of worship. Their falling down indicates contrition and submission. It is an admirable attitude involved in worship regardless of one’s posture. A sense of divine wonder and awe must have prevailed as they knelt. It should be a jewel in our worship. Such had drawn them into the vestibule of His presence. The Hebrew word for “to worship,” when translated, literally means “to bow to.” In bowing to the Christ child they were bowing to the will of the Father. When we truly worship Him we are bowing to the plan that God has for us. Worship must be Christocentric, not self-centered.            

These star-guided men first opened their hearts to Him before they opened their treasures. Their awareness of who awaited them beneath that natal gem, the star over Bethlehem, drew them to this moment. By no means could they fully understand what would unfold as a result of this birth. Their awareness this was a heaven sent gift motivated them. The sequence of their action involved seeing, falling down in worship, and then giving of gifts.

Their journey rewarded them with the knowledge that – – – –

“Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh….”  (I Timothy 3:16).

Now you can give Him a replica of the fourth gift, daily worship.

Sounds Like Greek to Me

The following is a bit lengthy, but well worth reading if you are interested in a bit of Bible background as it relates to you.

God arranged for there to be a definitive language in which the New Testament should be written. He did so in a most unusual way.

Years before the writing of the New Testament a redheaded boy named Alexander sat on a mountain overviewing a battle formation that was revolutionary called a phalanx. Instead of lining up in a straight line and marching into each other, one army was formed like a large human wedge and drove through the opposing army dividing it and conquering them.

Later a more mature Alexander the Great used the style to conquer vast territories. When he first united his various Greek tribes, they all spoke different dialects. Alexander called his scholars together and ordered them to devise a definitive language to be used to unite his forces. The new form was Koine. He spread it throughout the Mediterranean Basin including Israel. It was so definitive there were seven Greek words for our one word, love: Eros: romantic, passionate love. … Philia: intimate, authentic friendship. …Ludus: playful, flirtatious love. … Storge: unconditional, familial love. …Philautia: self-love. …  Pragma: committed, companionate love. …Agápe: the highest form of love, selfless, unconditional “God” love.

God  chose agape for use in John 3:16. He wanted it known His love is unconditional and boundless. It is the word Jesus used most often when speaking of love.

Now begins a bit of conjecture. Jesus spoke more than one language, but one He spoke was Greek. There are three internal Bible examples where Greek would have been the logical language He used..

In Mark 5 he encounters and has an exchange with the demoniac of Gadara. Alexander the Great and a large contingency of his army populated this area for some time and a large remnant remained. The language of that region was Greek. It is logical that Jesus used the language of the people.

In Matthew 15 Jesus encounters the Syro-Phoenician woman. Again for the same reason Greek was the popular language of the region and logically their interchange would have been Greek.

The third and most convincing reason for concluding Jesus spoke Greek was His trial before Pontius Pilate. All diplomatic and government business in the court was in Greek. Jesus response to Pilate would have had to be in Greek.

On the cross one of the languages in which the inscription over Jesus’ head was written was Greek.

If Jesus spoke Greek He had to learn it like any other youth. When and how did He learn it? His home town of Nazareth was so small and inconsequential that when the historian Josephus listed 250 villages in Galilee, he did not even include Nazareth. The village was about two hundred yards long and many of the citizens dwelt in caves. That is why when Nathaniel met Jesus he asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth.  Logically Jesus would not have learned Greek there. 

Nearby, less that four miles, was the thriving sophisticated Roman city of Sepphoris.  Seeking work and engaging in commerce, it is logical Joseph would have visited there often. It would not have been uncommon for the young Jesus to have accompanied him.

Today, as in that era, it is not uncommon in parts of the world that when a family of means encounters a less fortunate family with an obviously gifted child, they offer to take the child and see that he is educated.  

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, who was from Sepphoris and the steward of Herod Antipas, King of Judea, might have been such a wealthy benefactor.  Sepphoris was known as “the ornament of all Galilee. One of the duties of Chuza was to serve as the treasurer for King Herod Antipas. She is mentioned in Scripture as a person Jesus had healed. Later it is noted Joanna was one of the women who ministered to Jesus out of her private means. She is also indicated as having been one of the women who came to the tomb on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection.

She might very well have been the person responsible for Jesus having been taught  Greek during His adolescence. 

When Jesus said, “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him might have everlasting life,” He was using agape, the highest form of love, selfless, unconditional “God” love. He wanted to make it clear that you are loved.

Often overlooked is the fact agape is the love we are to have for Jesus. Do you?

Different Language

It is logical that the Bible being written in a different language and different time there should be challenges in translating. Nevertheless, the same meaning is expressed differently. A few examples are:

The “land flowing with milk and honey.” This meant the land had numerous flocks of sheep and date groves. The honey was a reference to the sticky sweet substance produced by dates. This described a wonderful land to the children of Israel coming out of forty years in the wilderness, one big oasis. 

John the Baptist ate “locus and honey.” No, not a cicada. There is a tree that produces a long bean similar to carob. It is called a locus tree. The “honey” from the date, and the carob bean (locus) combined formed a life-supporting diet.

Either way of expression still communicates having a nutritious diet. The meaning is not lost.

How Old Are You?

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

The following post is directed toward older persons, but is very relevant for younger people. If you are going to be older, read on.

Israel’s King Solomon gave this graphic description of ageing.

“the keepers of the house shall tremble.” (Hands shake.)

“the strong men shall bow themselves down.” (Legs grow weak.)

“the grinders cease because they are few.” (Teeth decay.)

“those that look out the windows be darkened.” (Vision fails.)

“the sound of the grinding is low.” (Digestion is poor.)

“then he shall rise up at the voice of a bird.” (Insomnia.))

“the daughters of music shall be brought low.” (Hearing is impaired.)

“fears shall be in the way.” (Phobias develop.)

“the almond tree shall flourish.” (Hair turns grey.)

“desire shall fail.” (Sexual impotence.)

“the golden bowl be broken.” (Cerebral trouble.)

“the pitcher be broken at the fountain.” (Heart trouble.)

“the wheel be broken at the cistern.” (Blood pressure problems.)

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to the God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:3 – 7

Compassionately Solomon offers this council.

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth before the difficult days come.” 

Based on his wisdom, and my experience in “these difficult days,” I offer similar advice. You will never be younger, and you are sure to grow older, unless…. 

The subtle pastels of Solomon’s painting are more beautiful in that light.

When adversity comes, and it will, are you going to spend your time sulking and getting bitter or building a bridge to get over it?

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13