Chapel - Living Sacrifice

Chapel talk - Living Sacrifice

Prayer.

Introduction: The daily process of training, learning, and competing in sport is one made of sacrifice and discipline. This culture includes daily sacrifice of time, energy, pain, emotion, relationship, and convenience. It uniquely enables each of us for grasping the dynamic truth expressed in Romans 12:1-2.

(Read Romans 12:1-2 aloud.) The apostle Paul urged his brothers in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices. He described such sacrifice as holy, acceptable, as a spiritual service of worship. They were not competing in sport, but their daily activities were no more inherently holy, acceptable, and worshipful than yours.

The apostle went further by challenging them regarding their worldviews. He said to not be conformed to the world's way of thinking, but to be transformed through daily renewal of their minds. The result of that was to fully realize the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

I would similarly challenge you regarding your life in sport:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (living not dead).
• Through all the training and competition. 
• Through the eating and sleeping.
• Through the rest, riding on planes and buses.
• Through the pain, soreness, and fatigue.
• Your sacrifice is holy - it is set apart for God's honor.
• Your sacrifice is your spiritual service of worship - as much as music or any other cultural expression of worship.
• Do not be conformed to the world's way of thinking about sport. (eg win at all costs, "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying," or any other foolish way of thinking.)
• Have your minds renewed by daily transformation. (The Lord Jesus will shape your thinking about sport and all of life. If you will listen and obey.)
• Experience the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God as you compete. (The Lord is pleased to work out His will in your life.)

Therefore I urge you, (insert team name and sport), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Prayer.