The Glorious Gospel for SportSample

The word ‘salvation’ is not an everyday word. In sport, it might be used to describe a moment when a player who has fallen from grace is reinstated and given another chance or when someone grabs a last-minute goal, but it’s not a common term.

When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome the word salvation in everyday language meant ‘recovery of health from life-threatening illness’ or ‘rescue from dire peril’. Here he uses it to describe the deliverance from the wrath of God on judgment day.

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.”

Paul says that he has no shame when it comes to the gospel because he knows that is where the power of God lies to save people. The gospel is the rescue mission of God from the wrath of God, from his righteous anger against a rebellious people. This rescue mission was completed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

How is this salvation obtained?

• It’s not through action of the recipient.
• It’s not through obedience or service.
• It’s not as a result of hard work or following a rule book.

Paul is quick to point out that it’s for everyone through belief. Salvation is obtained through trusting that the Lord Jesus has moved into my place of judgment and taken the wrath of God for me.

Because salvation is obtained through trusting, it is open for anyone and everyone who believes. Paul says that it was first available to the Jew (the people that God had chosen to show his saving power through) and afterward for anyone (Gentiles).

He has saved you and you must believe that He can save others.

Think now for a moment of all the people that are somehow involved in your sport.

• Those you compete with and against
• The coaching staff and medical team
• The officials
• The supporters

Paul is saying that the offer of salvation is open to all, can be received by all, and experienced by all.

The defining factor is a belief over an unbelief.

Later in his letter in Romans 10:14, Paul defines the process of belief:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Sport gives us a wonderful context in which to pass on the good news of Jesus. If the offer of salvation is open to all and salvation is simply obtained through belief, we have to do two things.

1. Pray that God would enable belief in the hearts of our sports friends
2. Tell them about Jesus – simply share the hope that we have in the salvation offered to all who believe.

Do you sometimes think that friends you play sport with are so far from believing in the truth about Jesus? Don’t give up. Keep praying and keep offering this salvation out in conversation and invitation to church or outreach events. Keep praying, keep sharing and leave God to do the rest.

Pray for yourself

Dear Lord,

Thank you that your offer of salvation is open to anyone who believes, thank you that through Jesus’ death on the cross, I have been saved.

Help me to share this wonderful news in my sport, please enable my sports friends to hear the gospel and believe in it for themselves.

In your name,

Amen