Ready:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Set:
Have you ever thought about how Easter impacts the way you coach or compete? Not in a “if our team doesn’t rise from the dead, we’re not going to win” way. Rather, because of Christ’s resurrection, not only is our future with the Lord secure when our faith is in Jesus—it changes why we do what we do here and now. That’s one of the main points the Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15, his great chapter on the resurrection.
Paul opens 1 Corinthians 15 by reminding us of the gospel: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (vv. 3-4). More than 500 people saw Jesus after His resurrection and would have been willing to give sworn testimony that it’s true (vv. 5-8). Paul then explains why Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all who trust and follow Christ. Paul also points to how Christ’s resurrection demonstrates that God’s new creation work is in motion: God is taking all of time and history to His desired goal.
1 Corinthians 15 concludes by sharing the difference these truths about the resurrection make for us in the present: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58). Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we know that the Gospel is true and our future is secure. And because of the resurrection, we know that how we live now matters for all eternity.
Christ’s resurrection fills us with new purpose: “excelling in the Lord’s work” because we “know that [our] labor in the Lord is not in vain.” When we compete and coach with the goal of pointing to Christ and exalting him, when our words and actions reflect the heart of Jesus, when we believe the eternal promises of God rather than giving into the empty promises of the world, when we train and lead with an excellence that honors Jesus, when we share and demonstrate the gospel in spite of resistance—all of this matters. It is not in vain. Instead, it makes a difference for eternity. It’s part of the Lord’s new creation work that’s been set in motion because Jesus rose from the dead.
Since this is true, in everything you do, be steadfast and immovable in doing it for Christ! Make it your daily purpose to compete or coach for Christ, work for Christ, serve others for Christ, and live for Christ. Nothing you do for the Lord is ever in vain, including as an athlete or coach. It matters for all eternity.
Go:
How does 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourage you?
How does this verse challenge you to reconsider the way you approach your sport and life day-by-day?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, thank You that because of Your resurrection, everything I do now matters. Please help me to be steadfast and immovable in competing and living for You. May You be glorified through me. Amen.”