Having just completed the once-every-four-year worldwide games called the Olympics (and with the Paralympics set to begin soon), people from around the globe turned on their televisions or used their devices to view the celebrated competition held in Tokyo, Japan.

The top three athletes for each event are awarded either the gold medal for first place, the silver medal for second place, or the bronze medal for third place. The judging for each event is scrutinized, even to the hundredth of a second. Skills were assessed according to their difficulty and were weighed into the total score. The athletes celebrated on the victor’s podium as the national anthem of their home country was heard.

The ancient Olympic Games included boxing, horse races, chariot races, foot races, wrestling, among other events, developing into the present modern-day games. But neither the past nor present games include competitive preaching—which might be a most interesting contest! As we reflect on this recognized athletic competition what are the lessons that preachers can draw from the Olympic games as they reflect on their task?

Preaching Takes Diligence

The athletes of the Olympics employ training for the long haul. They know what it means to dedicate time to their sport. Likewise, preachers are expected to engage in painstaking study. This means thorough-going education. Too many preachers—and congregations, I dare say—think that all one needs is a powerful personality to preach well. Personality may or may not help, but study makes all the difference.

I remember informing my home church deacon board of my call into the ministry. They gathered around me with heartfelt excitement. I was just about to graduate from the university with a degree in education. However, my country church leaders were astounded when I shared with them that I was heading to seminary. “Why do you want to do that?” one deacon asked. I told him that although I was graduating from college that I needed to know the Bible better in order to serve the Lord’s church better. At first, they didn’t understand. They thought that all one needed was a call from the Lord to preach—and then, preach! But they came to appreciate the need for biblical content along with a call to preach. I needed something to say when I preach. Education in the scriptures provided just that. The church rallied around me and paid for my seminary studies.

Getting thorough biblical training is only the beginning for a preacher. He or she has the responsibility to use that training in the years ahead. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth,” urges the Apostle Paul to young Timothy (2 Tim. 3:15). The hue of diligence colors this plea to Timothy and to us as we handle God’s Word. Preaching takes diligence.

Preachers will be Judged

Every Olympian knows that he or she will be scrutinized for the performance they offer—in the meets, trials, and events leading up to these ultimate games. Every move, every routine has been and is carefully assessed according to the standards of the skill executed. Now, at the pinnacle of performance on the world stage, these athletes are judged.

A careful consideration of calling and training is the preacher’s responsibility as he or she steps into the role of preacher-teacher. We aren’t to enter into this calling carelessly or lightly. James soberly reminds his readers—teachers, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (Jam. 3:1).

Reformer Martin Luther confessed that every time he stepped into the pulpit he was overcome with a sense of fear. He recognized the discerning eye of the Lord on his preaching and teaching. Sometimes we fear those who are seated in front of us more than fearing the God who judges every word. “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned,” warns Jesus. Preachers will be judged.

Preachers will be Awarded

No gold, silver, or bronze medals were awarded to athletes who competed in the ancient Olympics. Instead, winners were presented ribbons and then latter the practice was to crown champions with a horseshoe-shaped olive leaf wreath placed upon their heads. Only one person was recognized as the victor.

The Bible speaks of several crowns awarded to those who are diligent, faithful followers of Christ. Some preachers may receive the victor’s crown as they have endured faithfully under persecution. John reveals what is written to the church in Smyrna and serves as an assurance to all those who suffer for the gospel, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Other preachers will receive the crown of righteousness, who are inspired to be diligent as they keep in view the promised return of Christ. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,” as Paul reminds Timothy, “which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

Still other preachers will be awarded the crown of life because of their sustained love for the Lord Jesus in the midst of difficulty. James encourages, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (Jam. 1:12).

In his letter to the scattered church, Peter reminds his preachers—the elders to whom he is writing—that “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Pet. 5:4).

This is our promise, too. Preachers will be awarded.

Conclusion

The Olympic athletes can inspire preachers as we execute the work of preaching. Their diligence can be our diligence. We also recognize that we will be judged for how we carry out our calling. And we look forward to the awards ceremony of all awards ceremonies.

Although we won’t receive a golden crown, we know one who will, the Lord Jesus Christ. John confirms this as he viewed the future when he wrote, “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand” (Rev. 14:14).

Jesus Christ is to have first place in our preaching. We serve the gold-crowned-one, the One before whom we’ll place our awards, who’s gained victory over all things. For, we will, like the twenty-four elders, “fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being.’”

Preachers, preach like an Olympian.

Scott M. Gibson is the Professor of Preaching and holder of the David E. Garland Chair of Preaching at Baylor University/Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas. He also served as the Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching and Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he was on faculty for twenty-seven years.