Basics of the Game
Feb 22, 2009
Superbowl
2009 – Pittsburg Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals – let’s flash
back.
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After
falling behind 10-0, Warner and the Cardinals appear pointed to take
a lead.
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Warner
tries to throw a quick pass to Boldin, but Pittsburgh’s Harrison
steps in front for the interception and takes off the other way.
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Weaving
his way along the sideline, the linebacker nearly steps out of
bounds just inside the Arizona 10 and tumbles headfirst into the end
zone with Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald holding on for dear
life.
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With
no time on the clock, officials decide to review the play to make
sure Harrison got across the line before his knee or the ball
touched down. It’s a crucial decision.
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From
our chairs we started yelling “No way he was in. Are you kidding
me? Whadda ya doing Warner?”
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If
you were like most of us – we were yelling at your TV screens –
maybe shouting at Warner or the ref or the replay judges – while
waiting for the outcome.
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Then
we realize, we can yell at the television all we want, but it’s
not going to change the outcome of the game. We’re spectators.
No matter how loudly we yell, we’re not going to change anything.
The
irony is that we as Christ-followers seem to be just yelling at life.
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We’re
angry, maybe fearful.
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We
know the world around us is slipping away, yet all we’re doing is
yelling at the tube.
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I
don’t think it has to be like this.
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We
don’t have to sit by waiting for the outcome of the game – at
least this game.
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In
fact, we need to stop yelling at the television and dare
to actually get in the game.
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Then,
and only then, will we have the opportunity to help make the kingdom
of God real to us and for the world around us.
This
morning let’s talk about the basics of loving and serving God by
getting off the sidelines of life and getting in to the game.
I
believe God is asking us “do you have any idea of what my game plan
is for your life? do you know the fundamentals of the game, the
rules? what it takes to get in the game?”
Today
we’re going to review game basics:
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Who
is the Creator of the game
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What
is at the core of the game
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When
should we start playing the game?
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Where
do we play the game?
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Why
should we play the game?
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How
do we get started?
I
want to give you all the facts
– who, what, when, where, why and how.
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If
you’re still sitting on the sidelines of life – yelling at the
tube – that God will prompt you – maybe even kick you – of
the bench and onto the field.
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For
those of you already in the game and feel you’re trailing and need
to make a comeback – that the Holy Spirit will give you a fresh
anointing as you tap into his power.
-
For
those of you already playing the game with great consistency &
passion – that you will be renewed and refreshed to keep striving
for the win.
There
are some of you here today who believe that it is too late.
You
believe that you have fallen too far and too often to ever turn
things around.
It’s
not true. The game of life isn’t over.
If
you’re sitting here today, there is still time on the clock.
You
can turn things around.
I
know that many of you feel like you need to make a comeback. You
believe that if there were a scoreboard for your life, it would show
that you are desperately behind. (scoreboard)
Today
I am telling you that regardless
of your age,
and regardless of your situation,
you can declare that it is halftime.
So let’s start our half-time talk.
Who
is the Creator
of the Game?
Genesis
1:1 “In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth.”
God
is the creator of this game
God
is where it all starts and our love for God is the primary fuel that
drives everything else.
As
God is the creator, he lays down the basics of the game for us.
Synonyms
for the word “basic” are fundamental, essential, necessary and
vital.
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“What”
is the basic, fundamental commandment we are to keep?
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Who
are we to love? “GOD” – He is the fundamental, essential and
necessary one.
No
matter how
far behind you are, you can turn things around—but
you cannot do it without God. God will turn things around, but he
will not do it without you. You need His help, He requires your
participation. You do your part—the possible—by faith; he does
his part—the impossible—by his mighty power.
Let
me ask you - are you loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and
strength?
Is
it time for you to begin or rekindle your love for the Lord?
Will
you allow the Creator to teach you the game?
What
is at the core of the game?
-
“What”
is at the “core” (the center, the heart of) who we should be as
individuals – as players of the game – is our relationship
with Christ.
-
How
is your relationship with Christ?
More
than anything else, the Christian life is a love relationship between
you
and Jesus.
Jesus knows where your heart is. You can be honest with him. If you
don’t yet love him as you should, he knows. And if you want to love
him more, he knows.
Let’s
take a look at John 21:15-16. This is after the resurrection of
Christ, but before the ascension. It was after Peter’s denial, but
before he had experienced the power of Pentecost. It was during the
time that the risen Lord Jesus walked with and talked with and ate
with and fellowshipped with his disciples. They had just finished
eating together, when Jesus spoke one-on-one with Peter.
(v.
15-21) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes,
Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed
my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly
love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to
him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because
Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord,
you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed
my sheep.”
Love
is not a feeling, it’s an action. Jesus asked Peter if he loved
him, and then he followed up with a command to take care of his sheep
/ his people.
Do
you know what song really rubs me the wrong way? It was a hit for
Elvis and later a bigger hit for Willie Nelson—the ‘love’
ballad “You Were Always on My Mind.” The song says, in effect,
“Honey, maybe I didn’t treat you so well, I was never there for
you, I never said or did the little things that would have showed you
that you’re special ... but, hey, at least I was always thinking
about you.”.
The
problem is that many of us try to sing the same song to God. We try
to say, “Well, God, I realize I never did anything, I never served
you, I didn’t pray that often, I barely read the Bible, and I
skipped church most weeks, but, hey, you were always on my mind. And
I love you.”
Loving
Jesus isn’t a “feeling” or a “thinking of you” – it’s
an action.
Loving
Jesus requires
action on your part.
Right
now, if you want to experience a turn around in your life, focus on
loving Jesus Christ.
How
is your relationship with Christ?
When
should we start playing the game?
Most
people make one of two mistakes when it comes to time to move from
spectator to participant.
-
Younger
people especially, think they have so much time they can afford to
waste some. They think they’ll
get to the important things later when they’re done with school,
when the kids are older, or when things aren’t so busy at work.
But then they run out of time before they get to those things.
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Other
people think they have too little time, that they can’t possibly
do something significant for others or for God, so they don’t even
try.
The
thing about time, unlike money, is that we all have the very same
amount to work with—
24
hours a day. And we all have just enough time for the things that God
would have us to do.
The
time to start is now.
We can’t go back to yesterday and we’ve got to stop putting
things off until tomorrow. The time is now to get off the sidelines.
Start
doing something!
How
much time are you giving to advance the cause of Christ?
Are
you ready to move from a spectator to a player?
Where
do we play the game?
God
tells us where we play the game.
What
does God tell us the “Great Commission” is?
In
Matthew 28:19 Jesus lays out the playing
field
- “Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit.”
Where
? “everywhere, all nations”
In
the book of Acts, Chapter 1 v 8 Jesus says “you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends
of the earth”
In
the book of Mark 16:15 we are told “Go into all the world and
preach the good news to all creation”. Where
are we to go?
– in to “all”
the world.
It’s
a huge playing field. And it starts with you stepping on to the
field. The game can be played here in church, at home, in your
community, in the next state and even oversees.
Are
you ready to choose a playing field? Maybe for some of you the
question I need to ask is “is it time for a new playing field”?
Why
should we play the game?
We
should play the game because scripture
tells us to.
Let’
go back to Matthew 22:37&38. First Jesus tell us what the
greatest commandment is.
In
verse 39
Jesus continues with “and the second (commandment) is like it ‘Love
your neighbor
as yourself.’
“Love”
– it’s an action word.
God
calls us to be more than a spectator (only caring about ourselves).
God
calls us to be a player, a participant in the game so we can love
others.
Jesus
asked Peter if he loved him, and Peter said “yes,” and each time
Jesus followed up with ,“Feed
my lambs...Take
care
of my sheep...Feed
me sheep.”
Jesus is giving Peter his game plan.: Our
life is now about serving
others.
That’s why we should play the game. Regardless of what it was
about yesterday—making money, being successful, hunting, fishing,
football, music, and on and on—regardless of what we lived for
yesterday, today the focus of our life needs to change. Jesus said,
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
Why
should we play the game? Because we should want to be like Jesus –
a servant.
And
your attitude must be, “What can I do for you?” I challenge you
to give it a try.
Begin
in your own home. Imagine waking up in the morning and the first
thing you say to your spouse is “what can I do for you to honey?”
See if that doesn’t start turning things around.
God
has SHAPED
you to be a participant NOT a spectator.
He
is the potter and we are the clay.
He
has created your unique SHAPE – to play the position only you can
play.
He
has gifted you with Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality
and Experiences.
Get
your eye on what God has called you to do – serve – so that He
can continue with the game plan for your life.
Will
you engage yourself in the game now?
How
do we get started?
So
“how” do we get off the sidelines and into the Game?
Playing
the game or “serving” God is something you “do”. Love is
something you do.
Remember
the fundamentals “love the Lord your God, feed my sheep, go and
make disciples” – for all you English majors – these are action
words.
Nike
has it right….Just
do
it.
Get out there and start somewhere.
And
if you’ve been playing the game for some time already – then help
others get off the sideline and onto the field. Be a coach, a mentor
so that you, too stay fully engaged.
So
where’s a good place to start?
Right
here (Time and Talent form) is a good place to start.
Is
your heart stirred? If so, a stirred heart is an opportunity for
action.
Move
when God tells you to move.
He
is calling you into His presence.
If
you believe God is who he says he is, then move when he directs you
to move.
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But
I’m afraid for some of us, there is something that keeps us from
moving. We may not even know what it is….just that we keep
mulling it over in our mind
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It
could be pride, vulnerability, embarrassment (what will my friends
say if I go to church other than Sunday morning worship)
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In
essence we’re saying “Oh I believe in God but I don’t want to
do what he says.”
You
can’t play both sides. You’re either a spectator or a
participant.
Here
are 3 things that will help you rocket you out of your “hoover”
mode and get you moving:
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Focus
on what God wants
for you
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If
you’re going to serve God, your focus on God must be your fuel.
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Focus
on who
God is to you
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Do
you say “yeah, I believe there is a God” but when you actually
live it out..you live like there is no God? Focus on your love
relationship with God.
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Do
you really believe God is who He says He is?
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Focus
on what
God has for you
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Jeremiah
29:11 “For
I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord - plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future."
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Have
you given yourself to use what God has given you?
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Do
you believe you were SHAPED by God for a purpose?
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Have
you even tried tuning in to find out what he’s given you?
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If
not, let me encourage you to take the next SHAPE Class.
WRAP-UP
No
matter where you are in your life
right now, God
can turn things around.
You
now know the basics of the game – who, what, when, where, why and
how.
Now
you’ve got to get in the game and stay in the game.
The
only person God can’t use is a person who quits or who chooses to
sit on the sidelines.
Life
is not about waiting for the storms
to pass until you get in the game.
It’s
about learning how to play in the sunshine
and in the rain.
Jesus
said, “I came that [you] might have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10)
If
you’re behind right now, you can make a comeback.
The second half is just beginning.
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scoreboard -
Will
you continue sitting on the sidelines, yelling at the screen –
waiting for the outcome of the game?
Or
will you take the step to walk on the field and become a fully
engaged player – who can change the outcome?
The
second half is just beginning.
.