Go for the Gold

Thirty two years ago I attended the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (as a player on the Dream shorty shorts Team). This week, thousands of people have gathered in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and millions around the world are watching great athletes from over 200 countries compete for medals and the pride of representing their respective nations. Years of hard work, dedication, and desire are put to the ultimate test in the Summer Olympics.

Imagine if you saw an interview with a competitor who said: "Y' know, I don't really care about getting any medals, I'm just glad to be here to listen to the Bossa Nova music”. Personally, I wouldn't want that individual representing my nation. I want Team U.S.A to strive to be the very best they can be and to achieve the goals they set out to accomplish. Sure, the medals are hung around the neck of one person, but the whole world sees that nation proudly being honored.

The Apostle Paul was familiar with Olympic like games. Check out what Paul said:

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. I Corinthians 9:24-25

At Celebration Community Church we have compiled what I believe to be a world championship ministry team of men and women totally committed to fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives, their families and dedicated to giving their all to their church family. I am proud to stand on the platform with a Gold Medal winning team of staff, ministry leaders and Board of Directors who lead C³ to run the race that God has put before us all.

I encourage EVERYONE who calls Celebration their church home to “Go for the Gold” by striving to live out the five purposes presented in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission Jesus gives us in the New Testament. These five purposes are what our church is built upon and living a purpose driven, balanced and well disciplined life is what God invites and encourages His people to do.

This weekend Pastor Brant and I will be sharing Part 2 of our "Running The Good Race" series and we will be focusing on the discipline it takes to be a world class athlete as well as being a world class Christian. I hope you’ll be able to join us on Saturday at 5pm or on Sunday at 8:30, 10:00 or 11:30 am.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle