THE OLYMPICS - AND THE CHRISTIAN RACE!

History of the Olympics.

According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.

As a sacred place used regularly in religious ceremonies, as well as playing host to the Ancient Games, Olympia was at the centre of Greek civilisation. “At its heart the Ancient Olympic Games was a religious festival held in a religious sanctuary.

Modern Olympics.

First modern Olympics is held. On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens, Greece, with athletes from 14 countries participating. The International Olympic Committee met for the first time in Paris in June 1984 and chose Greece as the site of the inaugural modern Olympiad.

Olympic Values and Ideals.

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 found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

To be a Olympic champion takes natural talent and many years

of hard work and discipline. Along the way many sacrifices have

to be made to remain focused on the goal of winning a prized

goal medal. Because age is a limiting factor in many events,

a Olympian will have a great sense of urgency to reach their

goal. Often gold medal winners go on to be ambassadors in

many fields and role models to the young.

The victors prize in the ancient games was a plaited crown of

leaves.The apostle Paul was very familiar with the goal of a athlete

and wrote the following verse's:

1 Corinthians 9 v 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

2 Timothy 4 v 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The Christian service and judgement seat of Christ.

Romans 12 v 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 Corinthians 12 v 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Hebrews 12 v 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Philippians 3 v 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Many put there bodies under  subjection and strive to seek that

one moment in time, where dreams are realised and a gold

medal placed around there neck. Our saviour Jesus Christ was

rejected by men and crowned with a crown of thorns. We can

so easily get caught up with the Olympics, and sport in general;

resulting in our spiritual lives being unfruitful. Yet Gods will is

for us to be ambassadors for Christ and share the gospel . We

 may only have a short window of opportunity and therefore

let us consider these things with some urgency.