Halftime
Dr. Marty Baker | November 3, 2019
Do we have any football fans here today? How many of you are college football fans? How about NFL fans? This is the midpoint of the NFL season.
One of the marks of successful football team is the ability to change their game plan as needed at half time. In the locker room, the coaches look at what went wrong, what went right, and then adjust their game plan so to put them in the best possible position to play a winning second half. In the end, you know that games are won or lost in the second half.
We know that life can be a lot like football. So, let’s imagine for a moment that you are in the game of your life. The clock is winding down in the second quarter and you are entering half time.
It is time for you to reassess. It’s time to refocus. That’s what I want to talk to you about over the next few minutes, how to refocus your life and finish strong.
Today, I am going to look at two characters from the Bible that made adjustments at halftime. Ironically both of these individuals were named Saul.
These guys lived one thousand years apart, and both of them came to a defining moment in their lives and their response to those situations ultimately changed the game.
The Old Testament Saul became the first King of the nation of Israel. Prior to Saul’s coronation as King, the nation of Israel was led by spiritual leaders called prophets. During this season, the people of Israel wanted to be like other countries. They wanted a King, so God allowed the Prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as their King.
Everything was good. King Saul was enjoying his life and he had the favor of God on his work. He fought several successful wars and worked to stop the spread of idolatry and witchcraft in Israel.
In 1 Samuel, chapter 10 of the Old Testament, King Saul was at the top of his game. The second quarter was winding down and there were only a few minutes left before half time. Everything was good … that is, until Samuel was late for an appointment.
Have you ever been late for an appointment? I hate being late. I grew up in a family that was always early. I can remember going to a Carolina-Clemson game when I was a kid and getting to the stadium at 8:45 AM in the morning for a noon kick-off. They did not open the stadium until 9:00AM.
My wife, Patty, on the other hand, grew up in a house where the School bus driver would blow the horn every day to see if she was ready. I was the first in line every day for the bus. 6:30 AM.
A few years ago, we took both sets of parents to Alaska on vacation…the Bakers who are early birds and the Andersons who bring up the rear. The average age of the group at that time was around 75. It was humorous. When dinner was at 6:00 PM, my parents would knock on our door at 5:40. I would say, “Go back to your room. We will get you at 6:00.” Then, we would tell Patty’s parents, we are going to dinner, we will save you a place.”
Over the years, we have learned that for two strong-willed people to work together, compromise must be at the core of their relationship. Through the years, Patty and I have compromised. At times, I have learned to wait patiently while she speeds up and at other times, she allows me to go on.
Back to the story. The nation of Israel was preparing for battle. They needed the blessing of the Lord in order for them to be victorious. Samuel, as their spiritual leader, had the responsibility of spiritually preparing the army for battle. Now, Samuel was late and God used Samuel’s late arrival to test Saul’s heart.
When Samuel did not show up on time, King Saul got anxious about this battle. Instead of waiting on Samuel and ultimately God’s timing, Saul took matters into his own hands. He offered the sacrifices to the Lord without Samuel’s involvement.
In essence, King Saul said, “I don’t need Samuel to connect me to God. There are many paths that lead to God and I will do it by myself.” At this moment, King Saul lost focus and edged God out of his life. Think about that: edge God out … E…G…O. When our ego takes over, it always leads to trouble. Here’s the point:
When you lose focus on God, you are headed toward trouble.
The Bible says that pride comes before the fall. If you get cocky at half time, there is a good chance that you will lose the game in the second half. Maybe that’s what the Falcons did and maybe that where some of you are.
King Saul edged God out of his life and set himself up as the authority. This was a tragic turn of events. As a result of this decision, the second half of his life was vastly different than the first half.
In fact, King Saul’s life began to spiral out of control. He eventually went into battle without God’s blessing and it cost him the game. Three of his four sons were killed. You see, his decisions affected his family. In grief, King Saul fell on his own sword and committed suicide. It was a tragic end to a life that started out strong.
Now, I want to tell you about another guy named Saul. His story is told in the New Testament book of Acts. This Saul did not start out right. He had as bad of a first half as you could imagine. He hated Christians and sought to persecute them in any way possible. He was feared and despised in the same way that most of us regarded Osama bin Laden, Sadaam Hussein or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Saul of Tarsus made it his goal to arrest Christians and then put them through a public trial and execute them. He was present when the first Christian martyr (named Stephen) was stoned to death by an angry mob.
After Stephen was martyred, Saul went door to door in Jerusalem looking to harm believers.
Acts 8:3
3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
The New Testament Saul was an enemy of the church. His game plan was simple. He was willing to do whatever he could do to stop the good news from spreading, even if it meant murder.
One day he was headed to Damascus to terrorize believers in that city when a light came out of the sky and blinded him. He fell off his horse and heard these words:
Acts 9:4-5
4 … “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
This was half time for Saul. This was a defining moment for Saul. He was confronted with the way that he had been living. Saul could not deny it nor could he pass the buck to someone else. He had to give an answer and how he responded to this confrontation changed the course of his life.
Some of you could be at a similar place today. There are thoughts that are running through your mind … challenging the direction of your life. You have tried to deny them or excuse it away, but these thoughts have been placed in your mind by God himself.
Your response to God’s promptings will determine the direction of your life.
In that moment, Saul chose wisely. He made a decision to submit his life to Jesus Christ. To submit means that you are inviting someone else to lead. Saul made a decision to give his life over to the leadership and the care of Jesus Christ.
It’s the same decision that all of those being baptized have made, and that’s the reason we celebrate today.
As a result of that decision, Saul was changed from the inside out. He became a new man. The change was so dramatic that his named was changed from Saul to Paul. In the church, we often call him the Apostle Paul.
Paul entered the second half with a new game plan. He changed from terrorist to teacher, from persecutor to preacher. He traveled across the region telling his story and proclaiming the life-giving power of Jesus Christ.
During the second half, Paul wrote letters that became books in the Bible that we read. You’ve probably heard some of the verses that he wrote. You’ve have probably been at a wedding and heard these words from Paul…
Concerning relationships, Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 13:4;7-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
7 Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
Or, maybe you have seen an athlete with Philippians 4:13 written in eye-black on his face.
These words of determination were first penned by Paul.
Concerning determination, Paul wrote:
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
When people are going to a difficult time in their lives, especially when they need a job or a financial breakthrough, you will hear them quote Philippians 4:19. These words of determination were first penned by Paul.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Or, maybe you have thrown around the phrase, everything happens for a reason, that’s actually from the writings of Paul. He said it this way:
Concerning God’s goodness:
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Or, maybe you are here today and have lost hope that your life could ever change. Listen to these words from Paul’s writing:
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: The old has gone, the new is here!
Some folks live under the myth that people can never change. In some ways, it’s true.
You can’t transform yourself, but you can allow God to transform you.
I could go on and on. Paul’s story is one of history’s greatest turnarounds. He came out of half time with a renewed vision of what his life could become. I want the same for you.
So far, we have talked about two men named Saul. Both of these men made life-changing decisions during half time.
Saul in the Old Testament edged God out of his life and ultimately lost the game.
Saul in the New Testament welcomed God into life and with God’s help, he changed the world.
So, let’s bring it home to where we live:
Today is half time.
Which Saul are you? Or, maybe I should say, “Which Saul do you want to become?”
None of us want to be like the Old Testament character, named Saul. We don’t want to lose our kids, lose our position and ultimately lose our soul.
No, we want to be like the New Testament Saul. We want to be changed. We want to have a new life, a new hope, a new passion, a new reason to live. We want to say good-bye to the old and hello to new opportunities.
Paul’s new life started with a decision. He made a decision to turn his life over to the care and leadership of Jesus Christ. This was the best decision that he could have ever made, but you need to know this, Paul’s decision was not an easy one to make. It’s painful to embrace a new lifestyle.
In the body building world, trainers will tell you the old, old slogan “No pain, no gain.” There’s truth in that saying. Many of you have children. When a mother gives birth to a baby, it’s painful. But, it’s worth it.
If you are going to grow spiritually, you will have to get tough. You will need to say, “No to sin and yes to a new way of living.” For some of you, it may be painful, but it’s time. It’s time for you to change. Just look at your life…look at where you are going.
I believe that God has you here today because he is trying and has been trying to get your attention. You are headed down the wrong path. Today, he is prodding you to turn around.
It’s time to give your life to Jesus. It’s time to refocus. It’s time to get tough and make the right decisions. Stop living like the devil and be the person that you were created to be.
So many people believe that God wants something from them. Over the years, I have discovered that it's not that God wants something from you; He wants you. God wants your life. He doesn't want 10% of you. He doesn't want 50% of you. He wants all of you.
Romans 6:13b
... Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God
It's very clear. Give yourselves completely to God. It's all or nothing. You cannot play both sides of the line.
You cannot serve God in your spare time. A decision to follow Jesus is all or nothing.
Trust me. It will be worth it. Right decisions will take you down the right path.
God wants you to have a relationship with Him. Some of you are new to this church scene. We are so glad that you are here, and you need to understand that your attendance here is not by accident. We believe that God ordered your footsteps so that you would be here today.
He wants you to know that he is not mad at you and that He loves you and has a plan for your life. It’s time to refocus your life.
God wants you to take a spiritual step towards him. For some of you, your next step involves talking to God. You will or invite Jesus to be leader and guide for your life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and give you spiritual power to live a new life. Take that step. Open up your life.
For some of you, your next step is to come back next week. Start attending church. Join a life group when the new semester begins in a few weeks. Get a Bible and start reading God’s word.
For some of you it might mean offering yourself to be used by God in ways to bring His good news to others. You might have no idea what that might look like, but God does and if you make yourself available He will show you.
Here’s the point. This is more than a history lesson. God is calling you; He is prompting you to take a step towards Him. Are you willing?
Today is your day. Don’t put it off any longer. Today … not tomorrow… not next week, but today. Talk to the Lord. Take the step. Now is the time.
Jesus gave His life completely for you and He wants you to give your life completely to Him in return.
Will you do that today? Will you give your life to Jesus Christ?
Closing Prayer
Response Card: Card on the worship guide.
