How to be a Super Bowl Christian

Introduction:

Him top priority tonite w/ Pastor Jeremy preaching. We’ll have a 'ball' tonite and he will probably

choose to run with it…hopefully it won’t be offensive. I suggest you choose to receive tonite as he is

choosing to 'defend' the faith. We will meet in the youth chapel on 2nd floor, and I suggest you

come down closer to the front by the heat vents so you have the 1st “draft” choice. As you can see in

your bulletin, the 2nd half will be a “finger-food fellowship” with games on 3rd floor and some of us

watching the game in HD on the 7' wall screen, free from the commercials we aren't interested in

and free from any wardrobe malfunctions.

Pastor Jeremy will be officiating for the 1st half. His main points will be audibles but there may be

some cool visuals as well. Prior to the offertory special, a full congregational “hand off” will take

place using offering baskets. Feel free to fumble thru your wallet as a simple coin toss is not

enough! Any young people found to be in illegal motion will be assessed a five pew penalty or half

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the distance to the front. Just camp out on your own end zone for the service.

Here’s our promise if you come back:

We promise not to “go long.” This will be a special service because, unlike most of his sermons,

tonite there will be no extra points. A sermon in excess of thirty minutes will be regarded as a

flagrant "Delay of Service." At that point the avid fans will look at their watches in plain view…

which will constitute the 2 minute warning.

This is your Sunday Ticket!

Tonite a football game will be played. Millions of people who desperately need exercise will sit and watch a few guys who desperately need rest. In each play these large men will face off across a line of scrimmage. A call will be made, leather will slap, and bodies will collide and crash. For four 15 minute quarters, men will expend enormous energy and Herculean efforts to move a piece of pig skin up and down a field of grass. In the end one team will emerge victorious.

watch a few guys who desperately need rest. In each play these large men will face off across a line

of scrimmage. A call will be made, leather will slap, and bodies will collide and crash. For four 15

minute quarters men will expend enormous energy and Herculean efforts to move a piece of pig

skin up and down a field of grass. In the end one team will emerge victorious.

What does it take to become a Super Bowl champion? Can you tell me?

Can you tell me?

Let me tell you who will win. The winner of tonight’s game will be the team that exhibits 5 specific traits:

traits:

1. The team that has the greatest desire,

2. The team that is the most disciplined,

3. The team that has the most determination,

4. The team that is willing to practice self-denial, and

5. The team that possesses the greatest distinction and character.

That team, whoever it may be, will win the Super Bowl!

In football, many people play the game. But there are only a few that rise to the status of a Super Bowl Champion. Do you know where the rest of the NFL will be tonight? At home watching the game along w/ most churchgoers.

Bowl Champion. Do you know where the rest of the NFL will be tonight? At home watching the

game along w/ most churchgoers. What separates a Super Bowl Championship team from the team

What separates a Super Bowl Championship team from the team with the worst record? It is desire, discipline, determination, denial, and distinction, applied day in and day out.

with the worst record? It is desire, discipline, determination, denial, and distinction, applied day in

and day out.

Vince Lombardi, former coach of the Green Bay Packers, and the winning coach of Super Bowl I, stated in a speech called "What it takes to be number 1": "Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. Every time a football player goes to play his trade he’s got to play from the ground up-from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play."

stated in a speech called "What it takes to be number 1":

"Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t

do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so

is losing.

Every time a football player goes to play his trade he’s got to play from the ground up-from the soles

of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play."

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I want you to know that another game is being played right now, and you are a part of that game. But, unlike the Super Bowl, your game has eternal consequences. And, like the NFL, only a few Christians will rise to the level of play exhibited by a Super Bowl Champion. So my question for you is what does it take to be a Super Bowl Christian? What separates a champion from a bush leaguer?

But, unlike the Super Bowl, your game has eternal consequences.

And, like the NFL, only a few

Christians will rise to the level of play exhibited by a Super Bowl Champion. So my question for you

is what does it take to be a Super Bowl Christian? What separates a champion from a bush leaguer?

The five traits of a Super Bowl Team are the same traits that define a Super Bowl Christian: desire, discipline, determination, denial, and distinction.

discipline, determination, denial, and distinction.

We find these traits in two passages of scripture.

Body:

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NLT

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to

Philippians 3:12–14 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

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: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:

In the Corinthian passage Paul is speaking of the Isthmian Games which were held every two years in Corinth. There, athletes would compete for crowns made of leaves. However, Paul was encouraging Christians to compete for a prize with more lasting significance.

lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and

reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the

high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In the Corinthian passage Paul is speaking of the Isthmian Games which were held every two years

in Corinth. There, athletes would compete for crowns made of leaves. However, Paul was

encouraging Christians to compete for a prize with more lasting significance.

1. THE FIRST TRAIT OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN IS DESIRE.

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DESIRE.

Paul says "Run to win!"

Desire is to want something. Great desire is to want something so badly that you can taste it.

Psalm 42:1 NLT

1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

That great Bible teacher J. Vernon McGee said that "the highest desire that can possess any heart is a longing to see God."

a longing to see God."

Such a desire for God should compel us and propel us to run with all that we have. Unfortunately, instead of going for the gold, we too often settle for silver or bronze. In fact I’m convinced that most believers never venture too far past the starting line. Instead of straining and pressing on, we get comfortable on the sidelines and in the pews.

instead of going for the gold, we too often settle for silver or bronze. In fact I’m convinced that most

believers never venture too far past the starting line. Instead of straining and pressing on, we get

comfortable on the sidelines.

Lombardi said, "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of

knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

Paul had such a desire. He was the Bart Starr, the Vince Lombardi of early Christianity.

Until you are saved, you have no desires of value. Once saved, you receive worthwhile desires. Yet, desire alone is not sufficient. Desires only take shape when they are accompanied by discipline!

desire alone is not sufficient. Desires only take shape when they are accompanied by discipline!

(A lot of us desire to get in shape; but, without discipline it won’t happen.)

James 4:2 NLT

2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

I may have the ’wanna’,

But if I don’t have the ’gotta’,

I’m never going to have the ’getta’.

This is where the next trait comes in.

2. THE SECOND TRAIT OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN IS DISCIPLINE.

DISCIPLINE.

Discipline is the fuel of success. You may be the prettiest car in the show room, but without gasoline you’re going nowhere.

you’re going nowhere.

Without discipline in the Christian life you will never grow. You will be forever doomed as a spiritual weakling, easy prey for

Christian life you will never grow. You will be forever doomed as a spiritual weakling, easy prey for

Satan and his team of evil minions. Worse, you may be so weak that he decides that you’re not worth his efforts.

worth his efforts.

To attempt to live the Christian life without spiritual discipline would be like me climbing into the ring with Lennox

Christian life without spiritual discipline would be like me climbing into the ring with Lennox

Lewis or Muhammad Ali. Somebody’s going to get hurt - real bad!

Paul tells us that a competitor goes into "strict training". He beat his body into subjection. He strained and pressed on.

He beat his body into subjection.

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He strained and pressed on.

Like a body builder who adds more weight and extra reps in order to increase his muscle mass, Paul felt the burn and pushed on past it.

felt the burn and pushed on past it.

Maturity in Christ doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work.

1 Timothy 4:7 NLT

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

Hebrews 12:7 NLT

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

…exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

If ye endure chastening [hardship], God dealeth with you as with sons;

As there are no short cuts to peak physical condition, there are no short cuts to peak spiritual condition.

there are no short cuts to peak spiritual condition

Tom Landry, late coach of the Dallas Cowboys said, "The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be."

"The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to achieve what

they’ve always wanted to be."

Most of us want to win, we just don’t want to be disciplined. And until you are saved, not only do you not have good desire, you don't have the discipline to accomplish anything of value.

you not have good desire, you don't have the discipline to accomplish anything of value.

Discipline puts feet to a Christian’s desire to become a Super Bowl Christian.

Yet, to perform at the highest level, a Christian has to be determined.

Christian’s desire to become a Super Bowl Christian. Yet, to perform at the highest level, a Christian

has to be determined.

3. THE THIRD TRAIT OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN IS DETERMINATION.

DETERMINATION.

Focus and commitment (in other words, determination) will determine whether or not you view Christianity as a recreational sport or a serious full time competition.

Christianity as a recreational sport or a serious full time competition.

Unfortunately, commitment is a dying quality in American life. It is a quality known to prior generations; yet, woefully lacking in the younger generations.

generations; yet, woefully lacking in the Baby Boomers and the younger generations. (the younger

generations learned well from their Baby Boomer parents/g'parents)

When life gets tough, they check out other options and alternatives. We see this trend in every area of life. Determination and “stick-to-it-iveness”, have become passé. Yet, a Super Bowl quality performance cannot be achieved without determination.

of life. Determination and “stick-to-it-iveness”, have become passé. Yet, a super bowl quality

performance cannot be achieved without determination.

All life activities have their ups and downs. Only those who are committed to riding out the crests and the troughs will succeed.

and the troughs will succeed.

In Paul said that he pressed on toward the goal. He was focused and committed to completing his own Super Bowl. He didn’t give up on "4th and long". He kept the end game in mind.

completing his own Super Bowl. He didn’t give up on "4th and long". He kept the end game in

mind.

In 1998 Quarterback Tony Rice led Notre Dame’s football team to a national championship. Before the season, sportswriters wondered whether Notre Dame could beat the tough teams with a quarterback like Rice, whose passing often was inaccurate. They didn’t know that coach Lou Holtz had bought Rice a dart board and told him to practice throwing darts an hour a day. Rice didn’t see how that would help his passing, but he did as his coach said. He was committed and focused. Soon he began to throw passes with more accuracy and confidence--both of which were evidenced in a banner season.

the season, sportswriters wondered whether Notre Dame could beat the tough teams with a quarterback like Rice, whose passing often was inaccurate. They didn’t know that coach Lou Holtz had bought Rice a dart board and told him to practice throwing darts an hour a day. Rice didn’t see how that would help his passing, but he did as his coach said. He was committed and focused. Soon he began to throw passes with more accuracy and confidence--both of which were evidenced in a banner season.

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quarterback like Rice, whose passing often was inaccurate. They didn’t know that coach Lou Holtz

had bought Rice a dart board and told him to practice throwing darts an hour a day. Rice didn’t see

how that would help his passing, but he did as his coach said. He was committed and focused. Soon

he began to throw passes with more accuracy and confidence--both of which were evidenced in a

banner season.

This step is crucial. Without laser point focus and determination we fracture off into too many areas. We become double minded. The book of James tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

areas. We become double minded. The book of James tells us that a double minded man is unstable

in all his ways.

Well, if saved, we can have desire, discipline, and determined commitment. The next trait to becoming a Super Bowl Christian is a natural out-growth of the first three.

becoming a Super Bowl

Christian is a natural out-growth of the first three.

4. THE FOURTH TRAIT OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN IS DENIAL. [go into denial...self-denial!]

DENIAL. [go into denial...self-denial!]

The key to success in any venue is a willingness to sacrifice self.

Like Tim Tebow, when we are told we aren't good enough and we can't measure up, we should agree, saying, "No, I can't, but God can!" "And I can do all things through Him!" And like Tebow, once God gives us success, we should again remember how we got there, and give Him the glory, denying ourselves.

agree, saying, "No, I can't, but God can!" "And I can do all things thru Him!" And like Tebow, once

God gives us success, we should again remember how we got there, and give Him the glory, denying

ourselves.

Tebow could make a lot more endorsement money if he would compromise his convictions. He could have any girl he wanted, if he would drop his standards. And he could earn respect from his many 'haters' if he would take their hint and stop taking his stand...a stand he can only take by self denial!

could have any girl he wanted, if he would drop his standards. And he could earn respect from his

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

many 'haters' if he would take their hint and stop taking his stand...a stand he can only take by self

denial!

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,

To sacrifice is to give up something for a specific purpose.

To sacrifice you pay a price.

Lombardi said, "Success is like anything worthwhile. It has a price. You have to pay the price to win and you have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible. Most importantly, you must pay the price to stay there." "Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price that each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile."

and you have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible. Most importantly, you

must pay the price to stay there." "Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work,

sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price that

each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile."

A Super Bowl Christian will sacrifice.

Christian will sacrifice.

There are things that they will give up, and things that they will take up.

They will give up pet sins, They will take up burdensome crosses.

They will give up freedoms, They will take up submission.

In doing so, their time, their thinking, and their actions will be radically changed.

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In doing so their time, their thinking, and their actions will be radically changed.

The beauty of sacrifice and the burden of sacrifice is that it’s not just a one time event. The Super Bowl Christian, like the Super Bowl athlete, continually trains and sacrifices. There is no off season, and no retirement. Paul did not rest, not even when he was old. He continued to press on.

Bowl Christian, like the Super Bowl athlete, continually trains and sacrifices. There is no off season, and no retirement. Paul did not rest on his laurels, not even when he was old. He continued to press on.

Christian, like the Super Bowl athlete, continually trains and sacrifices. There is no off season, and

no retirement. Paul did not rest on his laurels, not even when he was old. He continued to press on.

He knew that the goal line was still a few yards ahead. He wouldn’t reach it until he closed his eyes in death.

in death.

The final trait is an element that ties the previous four together and gives them shape.

5. THE FIFTH TRAIT OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN IS DISTINCTION.

DISTINCTION.

Tebow's sideline prayers are what make him a champion on the field, but they are obviously rooted off the field. That prayer is distinctive...it stands out. But it is rooted in character.

off the field. That prayer is distinctive...it stands out. But it is rooted in character.

Charles Reade, English novelist and dramatist, wrote, "Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny."

habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny."

Without exception every successful Super Bowl team has a game plan that integrates all the elements of their training into a winning strategy.

elements of their training into a winning strategy.

For the Super Bowl Christian, character is the element that integrates desire, discipline, determination, and self-denial together. This will make you a Christian of Distinction…making a distinctive difference!

Christian character is the element that integrates desire, discipline, determination, and self-denial

together. This will make you a Christian of Distinction…making a distinctive difference!

Distinction/Character for the Christian can be defined as Christ-likeness. To look more and more like the Savior was why Paul trained so hard.

like the Savior was why Paul trained so hard.

Philippians 3:10 NLT

10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death;

Paul acknowledged that he was not yet there. But he was moving in that direction. Each day he drew closer because He had the desire, He was disciplined, He was determined, dedicated, committed and focused, He was willing to deny himself, and he was developing godly character distinction.

drew closer because He had the desire, He was disciplined, He was determined, dedicated, committed and focused, He

He had the desire, He was disciplined, He was determined, dedicated, committed and focused, He

was willing to deny himself, and he was developing godly character distinction.

And he was developing godly character distinction.

Paul lost his life to a Roman sword.

With the drawing of his last breath he crossed the goal line of glory. The time clock sounded and he had won the game. Paul was a Super Bowl Christian. Waiting for him on the other side was a prize…A prize greater than any super bowl ring.

had won the game. Paul was a Super Bowl Christian. Waiting for him on the other side was a prize…A prize greater than any super bowl ring.

Christian. Waiting for him on the other side was a prize…A prize greater than any super bowl ring.

For Paul there would be crowns that will last for eternity. And it can be that way for us!

Conclusion:

In a little while the game will be over. In the end, one team will emerge victorious. A trophy will be rewarded, Rings will be presented, Cash will be given, glory will be bestowed, advertising contracts will be awarded, and one team will have bragging rights for a year.

rewarded, Rings will be presented, Cash will be given, Glory will be bestowed, Advertising contracts

will be awarded,

And one team will have bragging rights for a year.

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Yet today, a greater game of importance is being played, and you are a key player on the field. You have the opportunity to play for eternal rewards. You can win a prize that will never dim. The outcome is up to you.

have the opportunity to play for eternal rewards. You can win a prize that will never dim. The

Take a moment to look at your own life. How are you doing in each area/trait we discussed this morning?

outcome is up to you.

Desire: Desire is to want something. Great desire is to want something so badly that you can taste it. Do you desire God in this way in your life?

Discipline: As there are no short cuts to peak physical condition, there are no short cuts to peak spiritual condition. It calls for strict training.

Determination: Focus and commitment (in other words, determination) will determine whether or not you view Christianity as a recreational sport or a serious full time competition. Is this about a religion or a relationship?

Denial: There are things that they will give up, and things that they will take up. It’s about sacrifice. Are you holding onto pet sins?

Distinction: Distinction/Character for the Christian can be defined as Christ-likeness. To look more and more like the Savior was why we should train and train hard.

Are you applying these traits day in and day out?

Will you choose to be a bush league Christian, or will you choose to become a Super Bowl Christian.

Christian, or will you choose to become a Super Bowl Christian.

sermons--God's First Half--Superbowl Sunday https://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God%27sFirstHalf.html

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