The Glorious Gospel for SportSample

As sports people we all understand the concept of power in particular ways:

• An uppercut that leaves the opponent shaken.
• A thunderbolt backhand winner down the line.
• The revving engine of an F1 racing car on the starting grid.

Power is associated with action, physical might, or mechanical force. Power in this sense is raw and ruthless.

But power can also be associated with a status – to possess an authority over others through control or influence: Think of your club owners or the heads of your governing bodies.

Have a look at the power that Paul is writing about in these couple of verses we’re focussing on in this series;

Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”"

What is Paul describing as powerful? He says that the gospel is powerful. That is why he is not ashamed. Paul understands what the gospel is and the power it holds.

We’ll have a look next time at exactly what the power of God in the gospel is able to do – that is, to bring salvation to everyone who believes. Today let’s take some time to grasp the power of God and simply marvel at its true essence.

Throughout the Bible we see God’s raw and ruthless power in action, showing us His ability to move and act to bring about His good plan. One of the best displays of this power is found in the story of the Exodus. Remember the plagues God brought upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians?

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

It was this raw and ruthless power displayed through mighty acts that brought about the rescue of his people. It was the mighty hand of God that proved his power and authority over all things.

Take a moment to ponder on the power of God.

He’s in charge of the universe. He directs the stars and the planets. He’s created the world in which we live and keeps it spinning on its right axis.

He has shown his power in rescuing his people by the works of his mighty hands through the plagues and then He has sent his son Jesus in whom all Godly power resides to rescue you and I.

Today, Gameday, do you feel a little weak and helpless? Out of form or out of favour with the coach? Powerless to speak about the hope you have in Jesus to others in your sports club?

Know that God, the all-powerful, has you. You’re his and He is yours. With his mighty hand, he has rescued you and promises to keep you and sustain you. To hold you and to provide for you.

So today before you play, collapse your full being on Him. He is the powerful one to hold you up.

Pray for yourself

Dear Lord,

Thank you that you are a powerful and mighty God. Thank you that you are powerful to both sustain the universe and to rescue me from my sin.

Help me to remember your awesome power and help me to depend on you to sustain me as I play today.

In your name,

Amen

Pray for your sports friends

Pray for opportunities to speak to your sports friends about Jesus today.