How Is Your Technique?
B.A.L.L. • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Quarterback Story
Implemented a new offense
The older quarterback was a better athlete
The young quarterback studied the new playbook
The older quarterback assumed the job was his and never came to work with me
The young quarterback put in extra time and learned my expectations
That year, I named our sophomore quarterback as our starter, and the senior quarterback was the backup.
Last week, we started a four-week series which I am calling BALL, so this morning we are going to continue talking about B. A. L. L.
And just like last week, no, I am not going to talk only about football and neglect God’s word, but we will use some sports principles to help us understand God’s word.
B. A. L. L.
B. A. L. L.
Last week, we discussed what it takes to “Make The Team.” This is represented by the letter B.
B. = Believe
B. = Believe
Before we can play on any sports team, we need to know that we have “Made the Team.”
The same applies to us as Christians; before we can join Team Jesus, we must be saved.
Today, we want to discuss the next step, which is “Working on Technique.” This is represented by the letter A. Our technique is summarized in the word Abide.
A. = Abide
A. = Abide
What do I mean by Abide? When we think of the word “Abide” from a biblical perspective, it brings to mind a picture of intimacy, a close relationship with Christ, and not just a superficial acquaintance with Him.
In Revelation, we see a picture of the church of Ephesus. They started well, but they grew lazy, and this is what Jesus told the apostle John to write about them.
‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Many of us resemble the church of Ephesus. We get saved and either aren't properly discipled enough to know better or become lazy, ending our spiritual journey there. I like to call it...
Fire Insurance
Fat cat syndrome—the idea is, well, I have believed and go to church, but in reality, we become complacent and stop trying to improve ourselves.
We say things like, I am who I am.
Instead of saying, Jesus, change me into the person you want me to be.
How can we avoid this? How can we learn to abide?
We apply proper techniques in living the Christian life.
Let me explain it this way: Abide is the main principle, but there are several techniques we can use to help us abide.
In sports, a technique is the set of physical movements required to perform an action.
Each technique consists of small, sequential actions.
How accurately and efficiently these actions are performed determines the level of success and the quality of the technique.
For example, when I coached QBs, I always taught them that when handing the ball off to the running back;
They should ensure they have control of the ball.
Then look with their eyes and firmly place the ball in the running back's stomach.
This may sound simple, but without proper form and technique, pressure can lead to unnecessary fumbles and ball-handling issues.
We practice these drills hundreds of times so they become second nature.
When game pressure hits, the QB and running back know exactly what to expect and how to perform the task.
What Techniques can we work on (as we abide in Christ) to improve our efficiency and effectiveness for the Kingdom of God?
The first technique, which is vital, is to confess known sin.
Confess Known Sin
Confess Known Sin
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
When I was coaching peewee football, inevitably, I would get the new kid who, for some reason, mom or dad didn’t know how to dress them. They would show up with jeans and tennis shoes instead of shorts or cleats.
They were weighed down.
They would end up miserable the whole practice.
The principle of Abiding starts and ends with sin. In other words, we cannot abide if we have sin in our lives.
We cannot be connected to Jesus in a relationship with Him if that relationship is broken by sin.
The technique we must learn then is to confess.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you have a conflict with another person, address it promptly.
When we confess our sins, it opens a clear line of communication with our coach, Jesus Christ!
The first technique is to “Confess Known Sin.”
The second technique is to “Trust The Coach.”
Trust The Coach!
Trust The Coach!
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
When I called plays, I often had a plan of attack against the other team based on film study and tendencies.
To some, the calls made in the first quarter didn’t make sense, but they didn’t realize the calls were made to set up the other team’s defense so I could call plays that would work well after they adjusted.
My players had to trust me that I had a plan, and if they were to be successful, they needed to execute the plays called so we could hopefully win the game.
Jesus tells us in John 15:5 that He is the vine and we are the branches.
Branches don’t give life to the vine; the vine gives life to the branches.
If the branch is to bear fruit, it must stay attached and dependent on the vine.
Far too often, you and I think we have it all figured out, and that’s when we fall flat on our faces.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
The key technique for us as believers is dependence on Jesus, and that dependence is essential to abiding.
Many times, things or circumstances in our lives may not make sense at the moment, but God has a plan. Will you trust Him with that plan?
Just like when I called plays that may not have seemed to work in the first quarter, there was still a reason for calling each play.
The Bible tells us that God is for us and not against us. When we decide to trust Him and allow Him to call the plays, our eyes are often opened to what He is trying to accomplish.
Sometimes, these plays are difficult.
Someone once said, “God is more interested in our character than our comfort.”
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
We have the technique of “Confessing Known Sin.”
The technique of “Trusting the Coach (Jesus).”
The last technique today is to “Know The Playbook!”
Know The Playbook!
Know The Playbook!
The Playbook, of course, is the Bible.
I started today talking about my two QBs, one had studied the playbook, and the other had not.
I cannot emphasize this enough:
If you are struggling with sin in your life
If you are having trouble with dependence and abiding in Jesus
I can almost bet you are not spending time in the Playbook
It is the Playbook, “the Bible,” that gives us all we need for right living.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
I know it can be hard to find time to read the Bible, and part of that is our own laziness, but also our enemy, the devil, doesn’t want us in God’s Word.
He will come up with all kinds of reasons and opportunities for us to skip it.
However, the truth is that without God’s Word, we become spiritually malnourished because we aren’t feeding on truth.
Remember the rule of Four?
But sometimes we avoid reading because it convicts us... Let’s look again at 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Notice it says it’s profitable for:
Reproof – when I coached, I would correct my athletes for poor behavior. That is what God’s word does for us.
Correction – when the technique needed for success was poor, I would correct it. God’s word not only reproves us but also shows how to fix things so they are done the right way.
Training in righteousness – My players represented the school, their team, and each other. Their actions mattered. God says we are to be holy because He is holy, and God’s word shows us what that looks like.
Be adequate – I really like this word, adequate. I aimed for perfection with my athletes but understood I wouldn’t always achieve it. What I was truly after was their best. God knows we will fail, which is why the first step is confessing sin, but He does want us to strive every day to become more like Him.
Equipped – I never expected my players to perform what I wanted unless I trained and taught them first. What I did was equip them. God’s word equips us to face every situation in life.
What’s the purpose? – I worked tirelessly with my athletes so we could be the best team possible and hopefully have a chance to compete in a state championship. God tells us He trains us for good works!
Remember, being on Jesus' team means actively participating, not just sitting on the bench.
In closing, the question that must be asked is…
How is your Technique?
How is your Technique?
Do you have any known sin in your life that needs confessing?
Maybe you're having trouble trusting God.
Maybe it’s a lack of being in God’s Word.
While working on our technique is important, the danger of a list like I provided today is that we think we have to do everything, and that it all depends on our efforts.
The reality is we all falter and fail in every one of these areas, especially if we try to do so on our own strength.
A well-known verse that athletes often use is Philippians 4:13.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
The A in B. A. L. L. stands for Abide.
When we read Philippians 4:13, we often fixate on the “I,” but the real focus should be on the Who! The only way we can succeed in the techniques we practice is through complete surrender and abiding in Jesus. Then, yes! We can do all things.
Let’s pray.
