PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study 10 - March 17th to March 23rd 2008.
Reading – John Chapter Ch14: verses 12 to 14.
Coach Inspiration!
“ I am telling you the truth: whoever believes in me will do what
I do – yes he will do even greater things, because I am going to
the Father.” John Chapter 14: verse 12. (Good News Bible)
The time is coming for the US Masters, the first of the four major tournaments
on the world professional golf scene, a tournament that no Australian
has won. What history and memories this tournament has? Each year at
the PGA Merchandise Show I play a Video called “The Master’s
Champions”. This is a video on the life, career and faith of Larry
Mise and Bernhard Langer two Christians who have won the US Masters.
We Australians grieve that shot Larry Mise made to win by chipping in
from the edge of the 11th green in the play off who robbed Greg Norman
of the chance to win. We have a lot of great up and coming players so
I am hoping one of them will win in the near future.
One of the most amazing victories is when American Ben Crenshaw won
the masters for a second time. Ben played incredible golf in memory of
his coach who passed away shortly before the event.
It was the relationship that meant so much to Ben that inspired him to
play such great golf.
There are many coaches who are inspirational. A coach seeks to impart
knowledge and experience and guidance in helping their players perform
at their peak.
In a similar way Jesus was like a coach. He called 12 disciples to follow
him and others who made up a group of about 120 formed the nucleus of
the first church. Jesus inspired the disciples to continue his work.
Jesus was like a coach; (the word disciple means a learner) and those
that followed Jesus sought to do what Jesus did as Jesus indicates in
our reading above.
I have said many times that for me the word Christian today is an unhelpful
word for the simple reason that it means too many things to different
people. People are simply putting their own slant on the word.
The true source of the word Christian comes from our relationship to
Jesus, as the Son of God, the Word of God and the great example he led
of a wholesome, compassionate and good life.
To call ourselves Christian is to define who we are by our relationship
to Jesus. In our thoughts today, he is like a coach, one that we rely
on for guidance, knowledge about life and one who helps us live life
at its peak.
We may recall the words of Jesus again from John chapter 10 verse 10
“I come that you might have life, life in all its fullness”.
There is so much inspiration to be gained from Jesus; especially as
we enter the Easter season. We recall the events that led to his entry
into Jerusalem, to establish a new rule as our King, his rejection by
the leadership of the time for calling himself the Son of God, the Messiah,
his death on a cross for our sins and his rising again from the dead
to never die again. To unite ourselves to Jesus is to share in his victory.
Prayer. Thank you Lord Jesus for being our coach that has led
us to a great victory over sin and death. Amen. |