“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY”

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY”

Prayer:Thank You loving heavenly Father for loving us enough to visit Your creation in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ – for loving us enough to die for us on the cross so that we might live with You into eternity – You truly are our glorious King of the ages and are deserving of all our love and praise through time and into eternity – praise Your glorious name, forever AMEN

1 Timothy 1:12-17

New International Version

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Introduction:

From middle school to the NFL (National Football League), athletes go through a rigorous process in preparation for fall football season.

It takes more than courage or passion to finish the season and perform at optimum condition.

We will explore the different phases of the football season and compare them to our relationships with God.

This series of lessons will sharpen your spiritual instincts and train your sensibilities to better discern God’s Will and His Voice.

Let’s engage our focal text for key strategies on how to prepare for life’s tests when practice is over and Game Time has begun.

Big Idea: You Can Make The Team! Key Phrase: What Makes You Think You Can Play?

People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think God could never forgive and accept them. But consider Paul’s past. He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus (a blasphemer”) and had hunted down and murdered God’s people (“a persecutor and a violent man”) before coming to faith in Christ (Acts 9:1-9). God forgave Paul and used Paul mightily for his kingdom. No matter how shameful your past, God also can forgive and use you.

I. You Are Eligible To Be Utilized With Provisions From The Savior

A. Only God’s Grace enables us to be used. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s boldness in Christ can be intimidating. We may feel that our faith in God and our love for Christ and for others will always be inadequate. We will experience times of failure. but we can remain confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with him deepens. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians applies to us also:”He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

B. Christ’s sacrifice empowers us. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Paul was not nearly as interested in creating an image as he was in being an example. He did not hesitate to share his past, because he knew his failures would allow others to have hope. At times we hesitate to share our past struggles with others because we are afraid it will tarnish our image. Paul demonstrated that lowering our guard can be an important step in communicating the gospel. People will not believe the gospel is important if they can’t see that it is crucial in your life. How has Christ shown patience with you? Did he stay with you when you doubted and rebelled? Did he remain faithful when when you ignored his prior claim on your life? Did he love you when you disregarded his Word and his church? Remember that his patience is unlimited for those who love him. Don’t be afraid to let others know what Christ has done for you.

C. Our righteousness comes from Jesus. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

I. You Are Eligible To Be Utilized With Provisions From The Savior

II. You Can Be Satisfied When You Stay Focused On Serving

A. Ultimate peace comes by doing God’s Will. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

B. Blessings come with following God’s Plan. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

C. God uses us to bring others to God. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

In Conclusion,

I. You Are Eligible To Be Utilized With Provisions From The Savior

II. You Can Be Satisfied When You Stay Focused On Serving

THE POLICEMAN has a law book. The policeman shows up because a law has been broken. But the book does not take you to jail. The book does not condemn or go after the person who’s hurt you. All the codebook does is give you the guidelines by which the laws can be manifested.

When somebody is breaking in your house unauthorized, you don’t need a codebook. You need a person who represents the codebook. That is, you need the codebook brought to life in an individual. You need a person to bring alive what’s been written in the law book against trespassing on private property. You can’t say to the criminal, Here is the law. You’re trying to break in my house, let me read to you what the law says: “Thou shall not trespass on private property.” While you are right with the law, there is no power in simply reading it. You will have to pick up and dial 911 because you want the law enforced by somebody who’s got the power to pull off what the book talks about.

The grace of God has appeared. It teaches us from the book what’s godly and what’s not, but you’re looking to the officer to enforce the book in the context of your environment.

When you get the combination of the written Word connected with the Living Word, you get to experience the engine called grace.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners, no sinner is beyond his saving power. Jesus didn’t come merely to show us how to live better lives or challenge us to better people. He came to offer us salvation that leads to eternal life. Have you accepted his offer?