The
Contenders
2-21-10
GTCOTR
Introduction: Next in line to get
your chance to fight the champion. (Not just fight the champion but to become
the champion.)
Example:
The
enemy’s greatest weakness: He has underestimated you…
*Key
Scripture:
Jude
1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our
common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the
saints.
1.
What are you fighting for? (For the faith, for a way of life)
I John 5:4
For every child of God defeats this evil world,
and we achieve this victory through our faith.
2.
How do you win the fight? (Few contenders are undefeated, but they still get a
chance at the Championship, be prepared)
(Return Key Scripture* and keep on screen through Myth)
to contend
1)
In
our struggle with the opposition, we contend with the
enemy for control of our life & destiny. We wrestle, grapple,
battle, and fight.
2)
We
strive in rivalry & compete as we contend for first
prize.
3) We work to defend
our faith against objections & obstacles. We strive,
debate & argue our truth as we contend against
falsehoods.
4) We earnestly hold our ground, stay our
course & claim our victory.
earnestly
1) We sincerely hold to our beliefs & we are
zealous for our cause.
2) We recognize the important tasks in life that demand
our attention and take them serious.
3) We have bold intentions and strong purpose.
We commit to be: fervent, purposeful,
determined, industrious, and ambitious. We live with intense resolve,
all seriousness, sincerity, standing
firm. We have purpose and we are eager to pursue it as an
earnest student. Our resolve adds a quality of expectation: living on
purpose, taking the important things of life serious
and being thoughtful and conscious of our surroundings and opposition. Our
sincerity proves we are genuine, trustworthy, and the complete absence
of being superficial when it counts.
Myth: My life is good without Jesus. No matter how good
your life is now, if you put Jesus in the ring with you, your life will get
better. Guaranteed!
3.
What is the prize? (A Result: Love, Peace & Promises)
Our Prize:
I. Peace: college football at the top of my game…
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in
perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! NLT
II. Love that allows you to overcome any obstacle…
Love for God,
others, self…
Love is the trigger for the blessings of God…
Romans
8:28 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good
of those who love God and are called according to
his purpose for them.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what
God has prepared for those who love him”—
Remember as a Contender we
have to be in the best possible shape to fight the fight of faith and win the
prize
1. possess the goods –
possess love
The
most important commandment:
Mark 12:30 NAS
And you must love the Lord your God with all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. (*Keep up through
point 2. Work out)
(31
The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’)
2.
Work out – prepare your soul, mind, give all your strength*
Have
a plan to work out – Know the word
Proverbs
says we should keep God’s commandments and live
and write them on the tablets of our heart (these protect and preserve us and
offer us our best chance at becoming the Champion)
(Galatians 5:6a For in
Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.)
3. Stay within the parameters and follow the rules
Galatians 5:6b NIV
…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
So the Result of us
fighting this fight and being a true contender for the faith is
Our Prize: #1.
Peace, #2. Love and lastly,
III. Promises
II
Corinthians 1:20a NLT
For
all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”…
Through Christ’s
fulfillment we experience:
Riches
and Resources
Divine
Health
Healthy
Relationships, Blessed Families
God’s Word is full of promises to us – take
time to search for each one
Our Prize
The Result: Peace, Love, Promises
Conclusion
Are
you a contender?