What is the Gospel? | AIA Tennis

What is the GospeL of jesus?

As athletes, we know the drive for excellence and the pursuit of a goal. We push ourselves to be better, faster, and stronger. But even in our best moments—whether it’s winning a match, reaching a personal record, or receiving praise—we can still feel something is missing.

The gospel is the good news that our ultimate purpose, satisfaction, and peace come not from our achievements, but from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. Created for a Purpose

Just like a tennis racquet is designed for a specific purpose, you were created for a purpose. God made you to know Him, to enjoy a relationship with Him, and to reflect His love and greatness. True success and peace are found in being aligned with God’s design for your life—something sports can’t fully provide.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

2. The Problem: Brokenness

No matter how hard we try, we all fall short of God’s perfect standard, just like a tennis player who practices for hours but still misses the mark in a match. Our selfish choices, distractions, and mistakes create a gap between us and God. This is why life feels broken—nothing seems to fully satisfy, no matter how much we accomplish.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

3. The Solution: Jesus

Just as we train to improve our game, God took the ultimate action to close the gap between us and Himself. He sent Jesus, who lived the perfect life we couldn’t, and sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins. Jesus took the loss for us so we could experience victory over sin and death. Through Him, we can have eternal life and be restored to God.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” – 1 Peter 3:18

4. Our Response: Trust & Follow

Salvation isn’t about earning points or keeping score—it’s a gift. Just like in tennis, we can’t control every outcome, but we can choose how we respond. Jesus invites us to trust Him and follow Him, turning from our brokenness and stepping into the life He offers.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

What About You?

Where do you see yourself in this story? Are you still striving to win in your own strength, or are you ready to surrender and experience the peace, purpose, and life that only Jesus can offer?

If you’re ready to learn more, or if you have questions about what this means, we’d love to talk with you!