Sportsmen know the importance of having a good coach; the value of being trained by the best, to be the best. Many Christians don’t realize that they’re spiritual sportsmen. The Bible says that we’re running a race, likening us to sportsmen: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Corinthians 9:24).
Also, in 1 Corinthians 9:26 (TLB), Paul, by the Spirit, writes: "…I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around." Did you notice that? We’re not shadow-boxing; we’re actually in the ring. We’re sportsmen for the Lord, and sportsmen need seasoned coaches to put them through.
Can you see why being a member of a local assembly can’t be overemphasized? It shouldn’t be seen or taken as another routine; no! We learnt about that in our previous study. The church is a place of worship, where we assemble to be blessed, refreshed, strengthened, and energized for victory by God’s Spirit. We come to church to learn the Word of God, to be trained, and to be coached.
Notice our opening verses one more time. It says God gave the ministry gifts, the five-fold offices, for the edification and equipping of the Church, for the perfecting of the saints, and for the work of the ministry. This will go on until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto perfection, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That’s where He’s taking us. That’s the reason for the coaching, the spiritual training that we’re receiving through the Spirit.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for the Church of the living God, the ground and pillar of truth, where I’m trained in God’s Word. I’m a sportsman, equipped for the work of the ministry; I wax stronger, greater and more effective in the ministry of the Gospel, to the glory and praise of your Name, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
further study: Luke 4:16; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 AMP
: James 2-3:1-13 E zekiel 20-21
: 1 John 4:15-21 D aniel 3-4
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