Get in the Game - Super Bowl Sunday

1 Cor 9:24 NLT.  Don't you realize that in a sports competition everyone plays,     but only one team gets the trophy?  So play to win!

Know your position 

1 Cor 12:4-7

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.        

• Same word: NASB “variety”.  Also means “divided”

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

The work is to be divided

Ex.  As good as Cam Newton is, it starts with the center & he need blockers

          As accurate as he is as a passer, he still needs good receivers

Every member has a different part to play

          Every member must play their part for the team to win

Perform to the best of your ability

Matt 25:14-16

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

We all have ability – just not the same ability

          God expects us to be responsible: respond to our ability

God holds us accountable based on the abilities He has given us

          He doesn’t compare you to anyone else & you shouldn’t either

The ability you have is a gift – you should be anxious to use it

          “Put me in Coach”

A Problem we have in church…

We excuse ourselves from giving our best because we aren’t getting paid

Col 3:23. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

We cannot be content to give “good enough”

The nature of God is to give “more than enough” Mal 3:10

Lev 26:10 You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to get rid of the leftovers from the previous year to make room for each new harvest.

You must be disciplined

1 Cor 9:25. NLT.  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.

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.

We are called to be disciples – disciplined

Discipline is not about restrictions

It’s about preparation for excellent performance

There are disciplines that you should have that others don’t have

Because you have a different goal & a different finish line

Discipline starts before the game

Practices. Meetings. Being on time – get fined if not on time

Discipline is the foundation for Excellence

You must have a burning desire to play – not content on the bench

John 2:17. Passion for God's house consumes me.

          Don’t just come to receive

Little league & HS, parents get mad when their children don’t play

Anxious to play ~or~ scared that your number will get called?

Today, Thomas Davis, Panthers LB, playing with broken right forearm

• Play with pain and perform under pressure

Passion & Excellence cause you to go the extra mile

Matt 5:41 “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Work as a Team

1 Cor 12:12. The body is one and has many members. Though there are many members to a body, all those members make only one body. Christ is like that also.  

Individuals play the game, but teams with championships

Individual talent must be submitted to the team plan and vision

Being part of the team also means being coachable

Don’t just run the plays that you like or that feature you – give me the ball

Run the plays the coach calls

Teamwork makes the dream work

It’s time for you to get off the bench and get in the game

Time to take your position & perform to the best of your ability