Building Champions

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Introduction

Competitive sports pros and con

Pros

Better health

Socialization

Builds Character

Sportsmanship

Decreases Stress

Builds teamwork

Better handle conflict

Increases mental strength

Cons

Can result in injury

Increases stress on players

Grudges between rivals

Can be expensive

Sport is a major income source for some workers, such as umpires, scorers, and trainers gain money from the sport, not just the players.

Paul frequently used sports to explain the Christian Life.

2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Champions must have the right attitude.

The right attitude is a product of

++Training

++Discipline

1 Timothy 4:6 NKJV

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

Champions prepare for the race

Luke 14:28–33 NKJV

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

In competitive activity there is a goal.

It is a

++A good fight

++A finished race

++A faith kept

We do not compete for ourselves.

It is bigger than us

Hebrews 11:11–13 NLT

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.

Hebrews 11:16 NLT

16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:39–40 NLT

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

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.

Champions Run The Race

1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

In a race it is about

++Speed

++Endurance

++Finishing is expected

++Only one receives the prize

Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV

11 I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

Everybody has the time

Everybody has a chance

Anyone can finish a race

It is not the fact that

++We are running

++We are fighting

++We have faith

Champions stay focus on the prize

Romans 4:16 NKJV

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Romans 4:18–21 NKJV

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Champions run to attain

Is there no cause

1 Samuel 17:1–6 NKJV

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders.

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