What Is Your Goal?
B.A.L.L. • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Three weeks ago, I started a four-week series called BALL, and this morning we are going to finish talking about B.A.L.L.
Just like last week, I won't focus solely on football and neglect God’s word; instead, we will use some sports principles to help us understand it.
B. A. L. L.
B. A. L. L.
We talked about what it takes to “Make The Team.” This is symbolized 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.
We then discussed 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
If we are going to abide, then we must stay connected to our coach, Jesus Christ, and do things that will help us improve our technique of abiding.
Last week we moved from technique to skill. Our skill is found in Loving Jesus’ commands.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
The first “L” in B. A. L. L. stands for Loving His Commandments.
L. = Love His Commandments
L. = Love His Commandments
The last 'L' in B. A. L. L. is based on the concept of setting goals.
Every good team begins each season with a clear goal in mind.
As a coach, I have always set goals with my other coaches; we would discuss things we needed to accomplish together to have a successful season.
Then we would set goals for the team.
For most teams, the goal was to aim for a championship.
Over the years, some teams bought into that vision, while others did not.
The main difference was their mindset.
If we want to live our lives here on earth as God intended, our minds must be focused on the right things.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
So the last “L” in B.A.L.L. is to “Live Life With Eternity In View”
L. = Live With Eternity In View
L. = Live With Eternity In View
What does it mean to live life with eternity in view?
Let’s put this in sports terms.
If a team wants to have any chance of winning a championship, it starts with sticking to the techniques and skills they’ve been taught and are improving.
Living with Eternity in View means applying the techniques (abiding in Christ) and skills (loving His commands).
Colossians 3:2 reminded us to set our minds on things above. Therefore…
Live with Eternity in View is waking up daily with a heavenly mindset.
What does this look like?
If mindset is everything, then it's essential to understand ourselves.
I believe it begins with “Knowing Who You Are!”
Know who you are!
Know who you are!
If you are a believer here this morning, this is not your home! You are a citizen of Heaven!
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
We are here to recruit others to heaven.
The skill of sharing the Gospel
Not only are we citizens of heaven, but we also serve as ambassadors of Christ.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
I used to tell my players that they needed to understand that everything they did reflected not only on themselves but also on the school, their teammates, and their entire team.
Whether you are aware of it or not, every word and action you do is a reflection on Christ!
It’s are reflection on this church.
It’s also a reflection on Christians across the globe.
Sadly, there are many who have given Christ and Christianity a bad name.
How are you representing your home country and your country’s King?
One other area where we need to understand who we are is that we are sons and daughters of God!
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
The moment you believed and placed your faith in Christ, you were born again. You were born into the family of God.
If realizing that your citizenship is in heaven or that you are an ambassador for Christ, perhaps understanding that you are His child will help.
Every moment, thought, word, and action is based on who we already are.
Mindset is everything!
Are you living like a pauper or a child of the King?
How are you representing our homeland and our King?
As we live with eternity in view, not only do we get our mindset right, but we also understand our time here on earth will come to an end.
In football…
Not every team I coached reached the championship game.
Some didn’t even make the playoffs.
However, the way the players conducted themselves and developed was important.
Some were recruited by colleges.
Others knew they had given everything they had.
Then there were others who went on with regrets.
Part of “Living With Eternity In View” is understanding that the season ends. The Lord will either call us home or we will be raptured.
Unlike my football teams, you and I have already won the championship because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. However, what we do today matters for all eternity.
Often at the end of the sports seasons, we would have a sports banquet, and this was when players were recognized for their accomplishments.
You and I will also be recognized for the things we do while here on earth. This is called the BEMA Seat.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Yes, there will be an award ceremony, but at this ceremony, the work we have done on Earth will be judged.
Those things we did for selfish gain or in sin will be burned up
Those things we did for Christ will last forever.
Rewards are awesome and can be motivating, but I think there is a greater motivation.
When I was playing football, I wanted my dad to be proud of me. So, I made sure I worked hard on my technique and skills. I wanted so badly for him to be proud of me.
How much more should we be living a life to make our Heavenly Father proud?
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
I believe that we all would like to hear our Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Lastly, if I may share one of my prayers for myself that I pray nearly every day.
I ask God to make me a man after His own heart, a man that when my life is complete, I can look back in review and know I gave Him everything I had.
Paul prayed a similar prayer for the Thessalonians, and I think it is a prayer we ought to pray for one another.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In other words, if we truly live life with eternity in mind, we will likely lead a life that pleases our Lord and Savior.
In Closing
I encourage you to reflect on the four points of B.A.L.L. this morning.
Are you part of the team? If not, come talk to me.
If you are on the team, how is your technique? Are you abiding in Christ? If not, is there sin in your life you need to confess? Maybe there is a person you need to make things right with.
Are you actively working on developing the skills? Our skills begin with loving Jesus' commandments. That starts with loving God and loving others. Our church slogan is “To Know Jesus And To Make Him Known.” Are you making Him known? Have you shared Christ with someone recently?
Are you living a life with eternity in view? Everything we do today has eternal impact. When Christ comes back, will you shy away or are you ready?
Let’s Pray
