August 9, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

The Summer Olympic Games, currently underway, are a gift to the world. They bring together the best athletes from around the world to compete against one another in their sports. The competitions are all about the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Every Olympics has its share of heart-pounding excitement, heart-stopping photo-finishes, and unforgettable athletic achievements. Olympic athletes have trained for hours every day for years and years to compete at the highest level. The modern Olympics are modeled on the ancient games held near Mt. Olympus in Greece every four years. Most major cities had stadiums where athletic games were held on a regular basis. The ancients loved sports as much as we do. Even the Apostle Paul was a sports fan. He used illustrations from sporting events to teach basic principles of Christian living. Paul knew that athletic success is a product of single-minded intentional living. The same is true of the Christian life. Following Jesus is all about dedication to an ultimate goal. The only difference is that in sports there is only one winner. In the Christian race we can all be winners. More about these thoughts on Sunday morning.

SERMON: Intentional Living in Challenging Times

SCRIPTURES:  1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (my rendering)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to everyone I meet that I may lead as many as possible to Christ. When I am with Jews, I live like a Jew under that law. And, even though I am not subject to the law, I live by it that I might bring those who are under the law to Christ. But, when I am with Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I don’t follow it either, so I can perhaps lead them to Christ. But I always follow the example of Christ. I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do my best to spread the Good News and share its blessings. In a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body daily just like an athlete, training it to do what I need it to do.

THE BREAD OF BROTHERHOOD

by Lucia Trent

The course of each life must vary as the flight of each falling leaf.

For some the journey is lengthened, for some the journey is brief.

But praise to the one who travels with eyes on the fields of good,

Who makes from each storm-wracked harvest the bread of brotherhood.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This Service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/mAEt9Gle_GM?si=Ns3Mb1F5Hmh_eRXn