Ready:
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
Set:
The 2005 Northwestern College football schedule appeared to have a misprint on it, showing two games scheduled for October 8. It was no mistake, though, and the Division III school became the first to play two football games in one day, knocking off Trinity Bible College and Macalester College 59-0 and 47-14 respectively.
Prior to the first game, one group of players was asked to come up to the chalkboard and answer the question, “What will you give?” Players wrote things like intensity, love, respect, etc. Then senior defensive back Dan Pazurek approached the board and wrote, “All the glory to Jesus Christ.”
How many times do you go into competition asking, “What can I give today?” I have to be honest and say that I can be a pretty selfish competitor, often thinking about what I hope to GET out of competition (victory, praise, self-satisfaction), not what I can give.
In Colossians 3:1-17, Paul described what the conduct of a Christian should look like, and he wrapped up the passage with the all inclusive “whatever you do … do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The “whatever” includes competition, which we should approach with the attitude and goal of giving glory to Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Go:
1. In competition, do you focus more on what you can get or what you can give? Explain.
2. How can you give “all the glory to Jesus Christ” today? The next time you’re in competition?
(Be specific.)
Workout:
1 Peter 4:11
Revelation 14:7
Revelation 19:7