"A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM"
John 17:1-3
(1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
(2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
(3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
The question many people have on their mind tonight is, "Who’s going to win the Super bowl?" All season long pro-football teams have fought for this one-day, "THE SUPER BOWL." Many teams started out strong.
But ultimately it comes down to 2-teams. And like any other year, they’re will be only two teams in this year’s Super-Bowl. And they’re will be only two teams in God’s Super bowl. (Good & Evil)
In Pro-Football, one cannot be on two teams.You are either on one side or the other. (an AFC team or either an NFC team)And it is the same way with God.
Either you are a Christian, or you are not. In Pro-Football, it’s the Great Players that make their teams great! Tonight, I would like for us to look Eleven Players that should be on our first string team.
They’re at least Eleven Players we each need in order to bolster,"A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM."
The First Player we need on our team should be:
"A NEW BIRTH"
John 3:5
(5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
If we have not repented, and asked Christ to come into our lives as Savior, there’s isn’t any need in even taking the field. One must be born again in order to be eligible to play in this league! Having religion and coming to church won’t get you to heaven!
Nicodemus had religion.
Nicodemus took a special interest in things pertaining to Old Testament law and religion.
Nicodemus deep down inside, believed in Jesus
But he had not been born again! As Jesus said to Nicodemus, he also says to us, that we need a new start. We need, "A NEW BIRTH." Without the New Birth, everything else is pointless. We must have a "NEW BIRTH," if we wish to build a "CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM."
The second player you need to start on the team is;
"A GROWTH"
2nd Peter 3:18
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
I have not been able to find where it says we are to SHRINK-IN-GRACE in the entire bible. Often you see many who tend to shrink instead of grow in Christ.
Pro-Football players that don’t progress soon digress.
In a nut-shell; We either grow or die.
A third player to acquire would be;
"A NEW DRESS"
Isaiah 61:10
(10) I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
If we intend to be taken seriously, we should look as though we are serious! When Christ comes in to our lives he can even help to change our dress code. Some need, "A NEW DRESS" on their team. Fellows, if you want another Great Player on your team, get yourself a "NEW DRESS." Fellows when I say, "A NEW DRESS," I’m not talking about one that often comes with panty hose and lipstick! But "A NEW DRESS" attire! "A Different Look!"
Number four would be;
"A RADIANT LIFE"
Matthew 5:16
(16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The best way to motivate others is through your example. Joe Montana was once quoted by Harris Barton as having said, “Hey look, that’s John Candy, the comedian up there!” That being said during a television timeout on the initial drive that lead them to the winning of the 1989 Super Bowl. Harris Barton was shocked of Montana’s confidence! Our light should be so to this world that others would say, "There’s no way he can lose," "He’s a winner;" "That man knows Jesus!" If you know Jesus, Glory-to-God, let everybody know it!
The fifth player chosen should be;
"CHARACTER BUILDING"
Matthew 7:24
(24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Every Christian is in need of building his/her character. Character is not something you are born with, it is something you develop. Here’s a few definitions on Character that I found:
Qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another
A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.
Moral or ethical strength.
This is one Player we each need on our team!
Character!
The sixth Man could be;
"A FELLOWSHIP"
Luke 24:32
(32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Here we go again. The preacher is going to mention the need of coming together at church. Most of the time, before each play of the ball is made; teams huddle up together. To call the next play; To Encourage and Motivate one another; To Regain their Focus. We Christians need to huddle up together as well! We need, "A FELLOWSHIP!"
Our Number seven player could be;
"A SONSHIP"
John 1:12
(12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Sometimes just by looking around and seeing who is our "COACH," is strength enough! (God)
Another player to have would be;
"AN EDUCATION"
John 8:31,32
(31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
(32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
A team without a play-book can’t win! It’s through the knowledge of the God’s Word that we are Free! We need, "AN EDUCATION" on our team!
Number nine could be;
"A SERVICE"
1st Timothy 6:18
(18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
A successful Quarterback will distribute the ball around to the rest of the Team. We Christians too, need to have a willingness of service towards others.
Be willing and ready to be of a help to those around us.
Number ten could possibly be;
"A SACRAFICE"
Romans 12:1
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
So many of you work all week and sacrifice your body’s on Sunday’s by coming to church.
Driving the van
Teaching that Sunday School class
Taking the Youth skating
Helping keep the nursery for our tiny ones
And on and on!
Some sacrifices we are rewarded for. Some were not.
But every sacrifice for the Team/God, will be rewarded in Heaven! I’m not laboring only for this world, but the one to come! All of our Labors are unto the Lord!
I’m simply saying, if we want to win the game we must be willing to sacrifice! "A SACRIFICE" is a must on our teams!
And our last starting player, number eleven, on our Championship Team could be;
"A WARFARE"
1st Timothy 6:12
(12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
This battle is not a game! It’s War! And the battle will be won through our will/faith! To win, we must endure for 60-Minutes. Now you listen here to me;
You may be here tonight, and feel like you are just about defeated. You may feel like you can’t continue in the war. If you are here and you feel like you are just barely holding on to Jesus, don’t let go! Don’t quit! We are at war! We must hold on to Jesus to win!
Many teams will have taken the field this year. But in this year’s SUPERBOWL, there will be only one winner.
What will determine the winner is having, "A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM."
If we have this Starting Line-Up as our Team I truly believe our results will be,
"A VICTORY"
1st John 5:4
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who’s on your team? Do you have the right players?
Do you have the right player’s on your team? All of the preparations, struggles, battles we that are Christian’s have endured will soon lead to the title, "CHAMPION." Heaven awaits the Christians.
Let me encourage you that may be here without salvation, get things right with God. There’s only 2-Teams in God’s Super Bowl. The "Saved” & the “Unsaved."
We know who the winner is going to be. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of a winning team? "A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM?"
James Bryant
Editor of, "THE HOLY STANDARD" Ministries Publications
© By James W. Bryant 2002
