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Are You Training for the Gold?. For What Do They Strive?. Olympic athletes train very hard for up to 4 years to excel in their events. They sacrifice time spent with family, friends and careers in order to have a chance to win a medal. . The Value of a Medal.
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For What Do They Strive? • Olympic athletes train very hard for up to 4 years to excel in their events. • They sacrifice time spent with family, friends and careers in order to have a chance to win a medal.
The Value of a Medal • Gold medals at the London 2012 games will cost about $700; silver and bronze medals significantly less. • Olympic medals can be purchased on E-Bay, where a surprising number of impoverished athletes eventually sell their medals for cash. • Olympic medals for the 2012 Olympic games…
The Duration of Fame • The medals award ceremony actually takes only about 3-5 minutes. • The national anthem of the gold medal winner is played and photos are taken. Many Olympic medal winners are not even known in their own countries.
We, also, have a race to run! “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1
Let’s be “running to win”! Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! - 1 Cor. 9:24
For What Do WE Strive? “… I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Rev. 2:23 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to His work.” (Rev. 22:12)
The Crown of Life • "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who love Him.“ James 1:12
The Incorruptible Crown “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an incorruptible crown. So I run with purpose in every step.” 1 Cor. 9:25,26a
The Crown of Rejoicing "For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Is it not even YOU in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His Coming?" 1 Thess. 2:19
The Crown of Righteousness • And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8
The Crown of Glory Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…not greedy for money, but eager to serve… …being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4
The Value of a Crown…the Duration of Fame… If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. 2Tim 2:12 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth. Rev 5:10 …and they shall reign for ever and ever. Rev 22:5
Where will our crowns be kept? The twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. - Revelation 4:10,11
The Final Word… "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.“ 1 Timothy 4:8