Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Our fourth Olympics parallel is celebrating wins and winners.

Today’s scripture, Luke 19:37‭-‬40 (KJV) shares Jesus’ triumphant entry on Palm Sunday…
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Consider…
Per Wikipedia, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics took place on July 26, 2024 across Paris, beginning at 19:30 CEST (17:30 UTC). As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings included an artistic program showcasing the culture of the host country and city, the parade of athletes, and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The Games were formally opened by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron.

The opening ceremony makes me think of the angels in heaven celebrating a sinner’s repentance. Jesus said…
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10 NIV

My first parallel is that Olympians and repentant sinners are both celebrated for making it in!

After the pomp and circumstance of making it is complete, it’s time for the athletes to do what they were called and chosen to do. In the same way, after a sinner repents, God expects them to do what they were called and chosen to do.

Paul said it this way in Ephesians 4:1‭-‬4 (NLT)…
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

Thinking about doing what we’re called to do made my mind hit play on Jonathan Traylor’s ‘Purpose Over Pleasure’. The lyrics say…

I be tryna make it into Heaven though
But you be tryna knock me off my course though
Voices in my head screaming YOLO (yeah)
But you only die once too

My flesh be like I’m gonna do what I wanna do
But once this life is over, there ain’t no re-dos
Either go up or to your eternal tomb
You either go up or to your eternal doom

It’s never that easy to choose purpose
But I will die to my flesh & live a life of worship
I’m really really really tryna make it into Heaven
I’m tryna hear him say two words
Like well done

Purpose over please
I ain’t got no time for your shenanigans
I’m tryna make it into Heaven
I ain’t got no time to be playing with sin
You can miss me with all that, boy
Miss me with all that

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing the importance of doing what we’ve been saved to do as explained in Ephesians 2:10 (ERV)…
God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.

The second Olympic parallel is that when the opening ceremony music stops, it’s time to do what you’re called and chosen to do.

It’s like Daryl Coley sang…

When the music stops
That’s when I live my song
When the band goes home
That’s when I live my song
When we’ve said Amen
And the crowd begins to fade away
That’s when I live the life
That I sing about in my song

My final parallel today comes from the celebration of the win and winner in an event. Two things stand out to me.

First, the winner rings the bell. This is the inspiration for today’s title. There’s not a hype man or surrogate bell ringer for the winner. It is the winner that let’s everyone know they’ve won.

I hear Jesus saying…
“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” – John 16:33 ERV

Whenever you feel like you’re losing, remember Jesus has already rang the bell to let you know that He has already won!

There’s another significance of the bell, it’s that the winner is wearing their country’s uniform when ringing it. No wardrobe changes, just ringing the bell in the uniform they won the event in. Not only that, after ringing the bell they wrap themselves in their country’s flag.

The parallel we can see is that when we win for God we should glorify Him! Remember if God’s not getting the glory, you’re telling the wrong story.

No one can worship and glorify God for you! But they can do it instead of you. God forbid someone else has to give God the glory for what He’s done in your life.

The second thing that stood out to me from celebrating the win and winner is the cloud of witnesses celebrating the winner.

In some post event interviews I heard athletes credit the cheering crowds for helping them perservere and win. This immediately ran my mind to Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

What also stands out to me from this scripture, and the event, is all eyes are on the champion. In the Olympics the focus is on the winner of an event, but with Jesus all eyes are on Him because He is the ultimate champion!

As I also gaze at Jesus in amazement, I hear Todd Delaney singing…

Hallelujah
You have won the victory
Hallelujah
You have won it all for me

By His stripes we are healed
By His nail pierced hands we’re free
By His blood, we’re washed clean
Now we have the victory.

The power of sin is broken,
Jesus overcame it all,
He has won our freedom,
Jesus has won it all

Hallelujah
You have won the victory
Hallelujah
You have won it all for me

Death could not hold You down
You are the risen King
Seated in majesty
You are the risen King

My God is risen
He is alive
He won the victory
He reigns on high

Knowing Jesus has won the victory over sin and death for you should be all the inspiration that you need to celebrate Him everyday in every way.

Let your life be a concert of praise, glorifying God for who He is and all He’s done!

God isn’t interested in a rock concert, He want’s to hear your voice.

Today’s song is…
Ain’t No Rock

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)