Principle #2: Inside Game

Principle #2: Inside Game

 What motivates me?

 Luke 15:11-32

 

1. What motivates you?

Recognition                Money             Coach

Friendships                 Pride               Winning

Revenge                     Parents           Fear of Losing

Success                      Anger              Accomplishment

 

2. If your motivation is up one day and down the next, how will that affect your performance as an athlete?

 

You will be inconsistent, and it can make you less reliable.

 

Luke 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son

*Dubbed the tale of the 2 prodigals. Jesus is telling this parable in front of Pharisees and tax collectors (sleeze bags = charged more than they were supposed to and took the rest). The Pharisees are like the older son, and the tax collectors are like the younger son*

 

1. The Younger Son: Motivated by __worldly___ ____pleasures____. Looking for life

___independent____ from God.

 

A. The pursuit of a life independent of God (vs. 12-13)

- Why did the younger son choose to pursue a life without God?

- Why do we pursue a life independent from God?

 

We may not understand God’s love and think its restricting, while sin is perceived to be fun. In reality sin always promises, but never follows through.

 

B. The result of a life independent of God (vs. 14-16)

- What are the results of the younger son’s pursuit of life without God?

- What are the results of our pursuits to find independence from God?

 

*Son is Jewish and is working with pigs. According to Jewish law this makes him ceremonially unclean, and creates a physical separation from anything to do with God.*

 

C. The response to a life independent of God. (vs. 17-21)

- What does the younger son discover about his pursuit of independence from God?

- What have we discovered in our pursuits to find independence from God?

 

He finds out that the worldly things are not satisfying and temporary, eventually leads back to God.

 

 
2. The Older Son: Motivated by ___personal____ ____preference_____. Looking for life by___performing____ for God.

 

A. The pursuit of a life of performance. (vs. 29)

- What are some of the signs we see that indicate the older brother is

pursuing performance?

- How are some of the ways that we pursue lives of performance?

 

He wants a reward, and becomes jealous because he thought he had been doing it right all along, but the younger son was still accepted back. (Comparing to the wrong thing: instead of each other, compare to God)

 

B. The result of a life of performance. (vs. 28, 30)

- What is the older brothers attitude toward the younger brother?

- What is our attitude toward others when we are living a life of performance?

 

The older brother has an attitude of disownment towards the younger brother, “this son of yours.”

 

C. The response to a life of performance. (vs. 31)

- What does the father hint that the son needs to do?

 

3. Us: Motivated by __God’s__ __love___ & __grace___. Finding life in __Christ___ __alone___.

 

 A. God pursues you.

 - How does the father respond to the younger son (vs. 20,22)?

 

“He ran to him.” We serve a God who is chasing after us.

 *The father running is inappropriate for the Jewish culture.*

 

- How does the father respond to the older son (vs. 28,31)?

 “Went out and pleaded with him.” Shows unconditional love, even when it is tough to swallow our pride.

 

B. His result for you.

 

Formulas for self-worth:

1. World’s formula = Our Performance+ Other’s Opinions

2. God’s Formula = What God Declares to be true about You

 

World’s Lie                                                                            God’s Truth

If you fail, you are unworthy of love               God’s anger is satisfied; you are

and deserve punishment.                              deeply loved by God and will never

  be punished (Propitiation) I John 4:9-10

 

I must meet certain standards to feel                You are completely forgiven and fully

good about myself. If I don’t…                         pleasing to God (Justification) 2 Cor. 5:21

 

I must be approved and accepted by others      You are totally accepted by God and

to feel good about myself.                               He calls you His friend forever.

 (Reconciliation) Col. 1:19-22

 

I am what I am; I cannot change.                   You are absolutely complete in Christ and

have the power to walk in His truth by faith.

(Regeneration) 2 Cor. 5:1

 

God Declares That These Are True About You As You Follow Jesus Christ:

1. I am accepted and worthy Romans 15:7; Psalm 139

2. I am never alone Hebrews 13:5b; Romans 8:38, 39

3. I am adequate II Corinthians 3:5-6; Philippians 4:13

4. I have boldness and confidence Proverbs 3:26; 14:26; Hebrews 10:19

5. God will be faithful to me Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Thessalonians 3:3

6. I have the mind of Christ I Corinthians 2:16; II Timothy 1:7

7. I have hope Romans 15:13; Psalm 16:11; 27:13

8. I am seen as perfect Hebrews 10:14; Colossians 2:13

9. I have been chosen and set apart I Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; Ephesians 1:4

10. I lack nothing Philippians 4:19

11. I am free from fear Psalm 34:4; II Timothy 1:7

12. I have all the faith I need Romans 12:3

13. I have strength Daniel 11:32; Psalm 37:39

14. I am victorious Romans 8:37; II Corinthians 2:14

15. I have wisdom Proverbs 2:6-7; I Corinthians 1:30

16. I am free Psalm 32:7, II Corinthians 3:17

17. I have comfort John 15:6; 16:7; II Corinthians 1:3,4

18. I am protected Psalm 32:7

19. I am perfectly loved John 15:9; Romans 8:38, 39;Ephesians2:4-5; 5:1

20. I am an adopted child of God Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5

21. I am totally forgiven Psalm 103:12; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:7

22. I have been declared righteous Romans 3:24; I Corinthians 1:30; 6:11

23. I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:19; 3:16; I Cor. 12:13

24. I have direct access to God Ephesians 2:6; I Peter 2:5,9

25. I am blameless John 3:18; Romans 8:1

26. I have been created for good works Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 37:23

27. I am a new creation II Corinthians 5:17

28. I have authority over Satan Colossians 1:13; I John 4:4

29. I am dead to sin Romans 6:11

30. I am dead to the law Romans 6:14; 7:4-6

31. I am an eternal inheritance Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:11,14,18

32. I have been raised with Christ Romans 6:4-8; Galatians 2:20; Col.2:12

33. I will be with Christ in heaven Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:15

34. I have eternal security I John 5:11-13; John 10:27-30

35. I have spiritual gifts for His service I Corinthians 12

The “GOOD NEWS” is that this list is not exhaustive!

Have a great time discovering the things that are now true of YOU in Christ!

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE?

* = additional background information

- Sarah

Principle #1: Audience of One

Principle #1: Audience of One (AO1)

Who or what do I worship?

1Kings 18:20-40

1. What is/was the purpose of sports?

Sports is a ___ gift____ from God and a ____privelege____.

2. What has sports become?

Sports has become an ____idol_____.

Culture tells us that _____success in sports_____ is the meaning of life.

“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.” --Luther

1 Kings 18:20-40 Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

What was the problem with the Israelites?

There worship was ______divided______.

IDOL:

ATHLETE #1

1. Everything is compartmentalized ---> If we are a house, some rooms we let God into and others we don't

2. We fit God into our lives.

God exists for ___me___! (Good Luck Charm/Genie in a Bottle) ---> To serve my own interests

CHALLENGE: Be a _____DEVOTED_____ worshipper!

What is the greatest commandment? (Matt. 22:37)

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul. Love God completely, don't leave anything out.

ATHLETE #2

1. All areas of life exist __for__ God.

2. God is not in your life....He IS your life.

Reflection:

Which athlete (#1 or #2) do you relate to?

We have a choice

1. Will we go along with the culture and worship sports and allow people to

worship us?

2. Will we give our allegiance to God as the only one worthy of our worship?

When we worship God, how does it change our perspective on sport?

Winning is not everything, so it frees us to a better competitor.

When we give our allegiances to God He becomes the

only thing that matters and we begin to compete for

an ___Audience ___  _of_  __One__!

-Sarah