Attributes Of A Powerful Christians

2 Timothy 2:1–8 KJV 1900

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

The Christian life is a powerful life

The Warrior the soldier attribute

Faithfulness

Excitement

Eternality

You are a part of the battle wether you like it or not

The attribute of the Athlete = There is a disciplined life in Christ involved in the

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We Wrestle

There are tactics

2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

There is strategy involved in wrestling

Bitterness allows Satan the advantage

Forgiveness allows us to have the advantage

Satan doesnt play fair

1 Corinthians 9:26 KJV 1900

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

We are here to inflict damage to the kingdom of darkness

I was saved in the spring of 1994 Satan has been after me, but I’m going after him

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are running in a race - there is a life of discipline

2 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Strive = competition, contending

Masteries = Spiritual athletics

Strive lawfully = legitimately according to the laws

1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV 1900

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

This is extreme sports = run all

this is not a game

Run to obtain

Run with seriousness and sobriety

1 Corinthians 9:25–26 (KJV 1900)

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Temperate in all things

Moral boundaries

Physical boundaries

You are competing you are to be temperate

Everything in your life is to be under the control of our Coach the Lord Jesus

They = the world is competing for the temperate

The athlete in the competition is focused on winning

Focused

Giving it all

We should be striving to excel in every area in our Christian

The Christian life is not a life of complacency

2. The Reward is a Prize that is incorruptible

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

In Bible days there would be a wreathen

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Crowns:

Incorruptible Crown

Crown Life

Crown of Righteousness

Crown of Glory

Crown of Rejoicing

Crown that do not fade

Eternal

Cannot be stolen

I workout when I can

I believe we should take care of our body

But more important than striving on the corruptible

It is a shame to not strive for souls to be saved

not strive to pray and hear God’s word speaking

Its a shame for a christian not to strive to pass on the faith to the next generation

Everything is temporal here

Everything will fade here on this earth

all the trophies I earned in baseball

All the

I still have two of my home-run baseballs

We are to have a passion to win for Jesus

3. The Path is a life of Discipline

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Temperate in all things

The indulgence of pleasure

Not a glutton

Sleep does not control him

Self restraint is what characterizes his life

4. The Victor Does not Break the Rules

Boundaries are important to the victor

Cheating is an enemy to the victor

breaking rules in the physical realm leads to breaking rules in the spiritual realm

When the teacher isn’t looking

When the boss isn’t looking

God’s athlete understands that rules help protect him

Rules help develop him

Rules are guidelines given by a loving lawgiver

Breaking the rules is an evidence of a broken character

There are people that hate rules

rules in family

rules in relationships

rules in church

Don’t disqualify yourself

Rules teach

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 KJV 1900

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

I have a purpose therefore I will control my body

Don’t break the rules

Moral lines are there for a purpose

Relational lines are there for a purpose

Castaway = not usable, cast aside

When I played sports I didn’t want to sit on the bench

If you’re not in practice you can’t play in the game

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Run in faith with all you have

Lay down the weight = lay down things that slow you down

When I played sports I wanted to play

To be used

We played basketball at another school the coach said you’ll wear a shirt and tie

There is something wrong when we put other things before our relationship with the Lord

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

I have finished my course

Finish your course

I have fought

2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.