There's always something special going on at our church! This morning I dedicated Kylie and baptized Kelly...
AND we clapped for all who are helping spruce up our church...BUZZ painted the outside modular...BO's almost done painting the church...Kathy just painted the women's restroom...This week ARROW will be filling in the parking lot with goo...
Sermon Notes from this morning's Celebration Service:
I always like to start my sermon with something funny...
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Answers: KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads. CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question. MOSES: And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing. RICHARD M. NIXON: The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did NOT cross the road. MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was. JERRY SEINFELD: Why does anyone cross a road? I mean, why doesn't anyone ever think to ask, What was this chicken doing walking around all over the place, anyway?" FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying insecurity. BILL GATES: I have just released the new Chicken Office 2000, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads. EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference. BUDDHA: Asking this question denies your own chicken nature.
COLONEL SANDERS: I missed one?
AND MY FAVORITE ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die. In the rain.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is BALANCE…
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…phelps, gymnastics, more clothes)
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel… Tamika Catchings
You’ve probably already figured it out that all of life requires an understanding of BALANCE…
Just as the gymnist tumbles all over the balance beam, life demands a balancing act…keeping all the commitments around us in right order, prioritizing etc…
My mentor often uses the word BALANCE when advising my life choices…I can become tunnel visioned…we all have a tendency to begin to veer off the right course or fall off the horizontal bar, maybe even causing an injury…
The only way to keep things in balance is to follow the manual, so to speak…
If your wanting to achieve excellence in a sport it takes more than just trying hard, you must practice yes, but without an instruction manual or without studying the rules of the game you won’t achieve much…
For the Christian, I’m ofcourse speaking of God’s word
You’ve heard the different silly acronymns for the Bible
Like…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Actually that’s more than a silly little acronymn, it’s truth…
We need a manual to help us Balance the pressures of everyday life…practicing the Word of God can help us achieve a balanced life…
For instance…walking the balance between TRUTH and GRACE seems impossible to me…
Only God is good at it…
When do I respond to an issue lovingly confronting and when do I Let Grace swallow the issue in forgetful forgiveness???
Walking the balance beam between truth and grace needs much practice in the Word…
The Olympics have their own bible, so to speak…
The Olympic Charter (OC) is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organisation, action and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games. In essence, the Olympic Charter serves three main purposes:
a) The Olympic Charter, as a basic instrument of a constitutional nature, sets forth and recalls the Fundamental Principles and essential values of Olympism.b) The Olympic Charter also serves as statutes for the International Olympic Committee.c) In addition, the Olympic Charter defines the main reciprocal rights and obligations of the three main constituents of the Olympic Movement, namely the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees, as well as the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, all of which are required to comply with the Olympic Charter.
Fundamental Principles of Olympism
1 Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.2 The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.3 The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.4 The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.5 Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement…BOY does that translate into the Christian faith…since our adoption Holly and I have been running into all kinds of ignorance in this area…6 Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
You may be wondering why your pastor has been talking about all this stuff…
Well, I’m inspired by the apostle Paul… he often used the ancient Olympics in his teaching of Christian principles…
I can really understand this…I think you could insert Christianity everywhere you see Olympism in what I just read and find balanced truth…
For instince…If I go back to the number one fundamental principle of Olympism and insert Christianity…
Christianity is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body will and mind. Christianity seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles…
This sermon series is centered around Paul’s words in
1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)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. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
We have already focused on this scriptures mandate for discipline and being temperate in all things…
The words that stuck out to me this time was…THUS I FIGHT
Sometimes we have to fight for what’s right
When was the last time you stood up for something even if it made you unpopular…
Pleasing God over man
And today’s focus on Balance sometimes requires a fight…
There will always be many issues or people in your life trying to throw you off balance…sometimes you have to fight for balance…sometimes you have to just say no, no matter how much they guilt trip ya, somebody knows what I’m talking about…
ACTS 14…fighting for God’s glory
We’ve already talked about the fact that Balance requires an adherence to a manual, set of rules, scripture
But BALANCE also requires the right tools
HERE’S THE 3 POINT SERMON ON BALANCE
1…scripture 2…fight 3…tools
We all have tools, gifts God has placed, purposed for us…
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy you are gifted for His Glory!
The rarest medal in the Olympics wasn't created from gold, but a bolt.
The story begins on a cold, winter afternoon in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic two-man bobsled competition. A British team driven by Tony Nash had just completed its first run, which had put them in second place. Then they made a most disheartening discovery. They had broken a bolt on the rear axle of their sled, which would put them out of the competition.
At the bottom of the hill, the great Italian bobsled driver Eugenio Monti, who was in first place, heard of their plight. Without hesitation, Monti removed the bolt from the rear axle of his own sled and sent it to the top of the hill. The British team affixed it to their sled and then completed their run and won the gold medal. Monti's Italian team took the bronze.
When asked about his act of sportsmanship, Eugenio Monti deflected any praise, saying, "Tony Nash did not win because I gave him a bolt. Tony Nash won because he was the best driver."
The story of Monti's selfless act spread. And because of it he was given the first De Coubertin Medal for sportsmanship. The award, named after the founder of the modern Olympics, is one of the noblest honours that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.
In other words, the most precious hardware any Olympian can own.
I believe you will find a Christian principle behind every inspiring story…Jesus is the very creator of the parable…test me on this one…even secular stories, I guarantee the author of all stories is behind any inspiring moment…for instance, this bolt can represent what we’re all about at RRAG, LOVE, behind every selfless act is love…
We are athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Commitment, Focus, and Balance are important tools for the journey…
AND we clapped for all who are helping spruce up our church...BUZZ painted the outside modular...BO's almost done painting the church...Kathy just painted the women's restroom...This week ARROW will be filling in the parking lot with goo...
Sermon Notes from this morning's Celebration Service:
I always like to start my sermon with something funny...
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Answers: KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads. CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question. MOSES: And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing. RICHARD M. NIXON: The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did NOT cross the road. MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was. JERRY SEINFELD: Why does anyone cross a road? I mean, why doesn't anyone ever think to ask, What was this chicken doing walking around all over the place, anyway?" FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying insecurity. BILL GATES: I have just released the new Chicken Office 2000, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads. EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference. BUDDHA: Asking this question denies your own chicken nature.
COLONEL SANDERS: I missed one?
AND MY FAVORITE ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die. In the rain.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is BALANCE…
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…phelps, gymnastics, more clothes)
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel… Tamika Catchings
You’ve probably already figured it out that all of life requires an understanding of BALANCE…
Just as the gymnist tumbles all over the balance beam, life demands a balancing act…keeping all the commitments around us in right order, prioritizing etc…
My mentor often uses the word BALANCE when advising my life choices…I can become tunnel visioned…we all have a tendency to begin to veer off the right course or fall off the horizontal bar, maybe even causing an injury…
The only way to keep things in balance is to follow the manual, so to speak…
If your wanting to achieve excellence in a sport it takes more than just trying hard, you must practice yes, but without an instruction manual or without studying the rules of the game you won’t achieve much…
For the Christian, I’m ofcourse speaking of God’s word
You’ve heard the different silly acronymns for the Bible
Like…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Actually that’s more than a silly little acronymn, it’s truth…
We need a manual to help us Balance the pressures of everyday life…practicing the Word of God can help us achieve a balanced life…
For instance…walking the balance between TRUTH and GRACE seems impossible to me…
Only God is good at it…
When do I respond to an issue lovingly confronting and when do I Let Grace swallow the issue in forgetful forgiveness???
Walking the balance beam between truth and grace needs much practice in the Word…
The Olympics have their own bible, so to speak…
The Olympic Charter (OC) is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organisation, action and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games. In essence, the Olympic Charter serves three main purposes:
a) The Olympic Charter, as a basic instrument of a constitutional nature, sets forth and recalls the Fundamental Principles and essential values of Olympism.b) The Olympic Charter also serves as statutes for the International Olympic Committee.c) In addition, the Olympic Charter defines the main reciprocal rights and obligations of the three main constituents of the Olympic Movement, namely the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees, as well as the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, all of which are required to comply with the Olympic Charter.
Fundamental Principles of Olympism
1 Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.2 The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.3 The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.4 The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.5 Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement…BOY does that translate into the Christian faith…since our adoption Holly and I have been running into all kinds of ignorance in this area…6 Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
You may be wondering why your pastor has been talking about all this stuff…
Well, I’m inspired by the apostle Paul… he often used the ancient Olympics in his teaching of Christian principles…
I can really understand this…I think you could insert Christianity everywhere you see Olympism in what I just read and find balanced truth…
For instince…If I go back to the number one fundamental principle of Olympism and insert Christianity…
Christianity is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body will and mind. Christianity seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles…
This sermon series is centered around Paul’s words in
1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)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. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
We have already focused on this scriptures mandate for discipline and being temperate in all things…
The words that stuck out to me this time was…THUS I FIGHT
Sometimes we have to fight for what’s right
When was the last time you stood up for something even if it made you unpopular…
Pleasing God over man
And today’s focus on Balance sometimes requires a fight…
There will always be many issues or people in your life trying to throw you off balance…sometimes you have to fight for balance…sometimes you have to just say no, no matter how much they guilt trip ya, somebody knows what I’m talking about…
ACTS 14…fighting for God’s glory
We’ve already talked about the fact that Balance requires an adherence to a manual, set of rules, scripture
But BALANCE also requires the right tools
HERE’S THE 3 POINT SERMON ON BALANCE
1…scripture 2…fight 3…tools
We all have tools, gifts God has placed, purposed for us…
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy you are gifted for His Glory!
The rarest medal in the Olympics wasn't created from gold, but a bolt.
The story begins on a cold, winter afternoon in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic two-man bobsled competition. A British team driven by Tony Nash had just completed its first run, which had put them in second place. Then they made a most disheartening discovery. They had broken a bolt on the rear axle of their sled, which would put them out of the competition.
At the bottom of the hill, the great Italian bobsled driver Eugenio Monti, who was in first place, heard of their plight. Without hesitation, Monti removed the bolt from the rear axle of his own sled and sent it to the top of the hill. The British team affixed it to their sled and then completed their run and won the gold medal. Monti's Italian team took the bronze.
When asked about his act of sportsmanship, Eugenio Monti deflected any praise, saying, "Tony Nash did not win because I gave him a bolt. Tony Nash won because he was the best driver."
The story of Monti's selfless act spread. And because of it he was given the first De Coubertin Medal for sportsmanship. The award, named after the founder of the modern Olympics, is one of the noblest honours that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.
In other words, the most precious hardware any Olympian can own.
I believe you will find a Christian principle behind every inspiring story…Jesus is the very creator of the parable…test me on this one…even secular stories, I guarantee the author of all stories is behind any inspiring moment…for instance, this bolt can represent what we’re all about at RRAG, LOVE, behind every selfless act is love…
We are athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Commitment, Focus, and Balance are important tools for the journey…
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