Get In The Game (Part 1)
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Christian faith and football surprisingly, have a lot in common.
Just as football requires discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, so does our journey as a Christian.
In football, every player has a unique role, much like how every believer has a unique purpose in the body of Christ.
In football, the goal is to score and ultimately win the game, while in my Christian faith, the goal is to live a life that reflects Christ's love and ultimately attain eternal life.
There are numerous references in the New Testament depicting the similarities between the Christian life and the world of sports: the fighter, the runner, the wrestler, and so on.
We all have a position to play in life, just like in a football game…
We are all playing in the game of life and we all have a position we need to play.
“Get in the Game”
#1 Which team do you play for?
In football you can play on both sides of the ball but you can not play for both teams!
You remember when the Children of Isreal began to worship the golden calf…
then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.
What about when the people came into the promise land…
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
What about when Jesus was teaching…
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Who’s team are you on?
#2 This game has rules
Football is a games of rules
NFL Rule Book (Download)
How can I truly be effective in a game but I don’t know the rules of the game?
Rules help to maintain order and discipline
The rules that guide the game of football are akin to the teachings of the Bible that guide our life.
Both demand commitment, dedication, and a constant striving for improvement.
God tells Moses…
“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.
God told Moses
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
If you love me, follow the rules!
The golden rule
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Following the commandments of Jesus provides us a roadmap for living righteous and a meaningful life.
He teaches us the rules for love, forgiveness, compassion and selflessness.
Following the Apostles teachings gives us the rules for our spiritual walk.
In order to get in the game, I need to have a desire to learn the rules of the game.
#3 There is a playbook
A Playbook Translates Vision and Strategy to Tactics
A playbook defines what needs to be done to win the game, breaking the team's strategy down into actionable plays and defining roles and responsibilities to be successful.
Football players come to camp and are handed a binder filled with plays, formations, and adjustments built to withstand any opponent during the season.
A lot of work, foresight, and detail went into putting together what could be a championship playbook.
A playbook is useless without memorization and proper execution.
Our playbook gives us the strategy to handle Satan
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Paul was dealing with a person in the Corinthian church but he knew that there should be reconciliation.
He knew Satan would use this as a design to cause an issue in the church.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The playbook teaches me how to respond to life...
Situations out of are control
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The playbook teaches me how to respond to myself…
Call an Audible
A quarterback often calls an audible when he doesn't like how the offensive play that was called matches up with the defensive formation.
There are times when I will feel like I am under a blitz…
There are times when you feel that people are acting ugly and you want to act ugly right with them!
Go to the playbook!
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
You may feel anxious about your life…
Go to the playbook…
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Seek: Desire
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
I need the playbook to handle:
My marriage
My singleness
My money
My parenting
My friendships
My career
My next move
I need the playbook:
To shape my perspective
Shape my attitude
How I respond