Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Arrogance; Endurance; Perseverance; Pride References: Hebrews 10:36; 12:1–2; James 1:3–4 I was at the Pennsylvania Relays, a famous Eastern track meet, and our relay team was running in the championship race. I was the leadoff man and in the second lane. The man in the first lane held the 100-meter dash record for prep … Continue reading “WAITING
AT THE FINISH LINE”

Topics: Acceptance; Church; Community; Encouragement; Perseverance; Weakness; Witnessing References: Philippians 3:13–14; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Hebrews 10:24; 12:1–3 Eric Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea was an unlikely hero of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The twenty-two-year-old African had learned to swim only nine months before the games, had only practiced in a twenty-meter pool without … Continue reading “CHEERING
THE SWIMMER IN”

Topics: Communication; Eternal Life; Glory; Honor; Rewards References: Hebrews 12:25–29; 2 Peter 1:11 Kenny Walker, born deaf, felt like an outsider. As Walker matured, however, he compensated for his deafness with physical strength. His large frame, extensive knowledge of football, and intense focus attracted the attention first of his high school football coaches and then … Continue reading “WALKER’S
REWARD”

Topics: Adversity; Character; Winning and Losing References: Romans 5:1–5; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 4:12 Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson is the only manager in history to win World Series titles in both the National and American Leagues. He led the Cincinnati Reds to the top in 1975 and ’76, and the Detroit Tigers to the … Continue reading “LESSONS
FOR SPARKY”

Topics: Authority; Judgment; Law; Morality; Power References: 1 Corinthians 3:10–15; 2 Corinthians 5:10 In Cuba baseball rules, except when Fidel Castro, Cuba’s former dictator, would go up to bat. During an exhibition game against Venezuela, the Cuban dictator grabbed an aluminum bat and walked to the plate. Not to be outdone, the president of Venezuela, … Continue reading “UPSTAGING
THE UMPIRE”

Topics: Ambition; Anger; Competition; Ego; Gender Differences; Winning and Losing References: Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14 Consider these stats on what happens to a man’s hormones when his team plays:      •     average percentage points by which a male sports fan’s testosterone level rises when his team wins: 20      •     average points by which the level falls when … Continue reading “HORMONES
AND SPORTS”

Topics: Dependence on God; Experiencing God; Prayer References: Psalm 127:1–2; Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 The baseball game was tied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The batter stepped into the batting box and made the sign of the cross on home plate with his bat. Yogi Berra, Hall … Continue reading “LETTING
GOD WATCH”

Topics: Achievement; Hope; Perseverance; Persistence; Success; Winning and Losing References: Acts 20:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1–3 U.S. runner Marla Runyon, legally blind for twenty-two years, competed in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She qualified for the finals in the 1,500-meter race, then finished eighth, just seconds … Continue reading “RUNNING
BLIND”

Topics: Dedication; Discernment; Experience; Spiritual Disciplines; Spiritual Perception; Sports References: Proverbs 14:33; Philippians 1:10; 1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 5:13–14; 1 John 4:1 The floor of the Princeton gym was being resurfaced, so Princeton basketball player (and later United States senator) Bill Bradley had to practice at Lawrenceville School. His first afternoon at Lawrenceville, he began … Continue reading “HITTING
A FLAWED RIM”

Topics: Disappointment; Glory; Hope; Promises; Rewards; Success References: Matthew 6:18; Philippians 3:7–14; Hebrews 6:10; 11:24–26; James 1:12 When I was a senior in high school, I was presented with two trophies at the annual sports assembly, one for being cocaptain of the basketball team and one for being the most improved player on the team. … Continue reading “STOLEN
TROPHIES”