Champions 4 Christ

Champions 4 Christ

Pastor Jamie Wright Maranatha Fellowship Church 2-22-04

What is a champion? Webster’s defines champion as a person who fights for or defends any person or cause, a warrior, a winner, a title holder, a victor, a champ. According to Olympic Historians, all great champions have met certain criteria in order to achieve Championship Status.

When society thinks of "CHAMPIONS", they think of people like:

1. Mohammed Ali Boxing Champ

2. Gen. Swartzcopf Military Champ

3. Michael Jordan Basketball Champ (6 times)

4. Tiger Woods Golf Champ

5. Hugh Hefner Porn Champ

6. The Osborne’s Profanity Champs

7. Britney Spears Sex idol Champ

Champions of the Bible are people like:

1. Abraham Champion of Faith

2. Elijah Champion of Prayer

3. Moses Champion of Service

4. David Champion Praise/Worship

5. Joshua Champion of Commitment

6. Woman w/ issue bld Champion of Persistency

7. Jesus Champion of Champions

What does it take to be a Champion for Christ? There are billions claiming to be Christians in our world today, but how many are really Champions 4 Christ? I want to be one and I want you all here at Maranatha Fellowship to be Champions.

How can we obtain Championship status for Christ? What factors do we need to apply to begin the transformation into Champions, the best of the best, the elite, the Green Berets of the Kingdom of God?

Here are some factors other Champions have incorporated in their equation of Championships. They are found in the book of Champions

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with a purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. 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.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Message

You’ve all been to the stadium ad seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All (Champions) good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing it myself.

You must have-

A Passion to Pursue

Champions are passionate about what they do. They love it. They do it because they want to.

Desire- a burning desire

David said one thing I desire and that will I seek after Ps. 27:4

He was in passionate pursuit of becoming a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST. He was excited about it. He dwelt on it all the time.

Do you have a burning desire (passion) to be a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST? How bad do you want it?

The proof of your desire is in your pursuit.

Dedication- Vs. 25 All (Champions) good athletes train hard

David was a hard worker. He rose early in the morning to seek after God. He was dedicated through anything to continue striving toward his goal. Ps. 27 says, David stayed dedicated even when the enemy attacked him. When war came, he was still dedicated. When a host encamped around him he didnft quit.

Vs. 5 when trouble came he still had one desire.

Do you want to be a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST? Then get start pursing it with Passion! You got to want it.

The proof of your dedication is in your perseverance.

You must-

Purposefully Prepare

So I run straight to the goal with a purpose in every step (NLT)

CHAMPIONS have a purpose in mind as they train and practice. They have a purpose in mind as they enter the race. What is their purpose? To win? One wins. Run to win!

I am not in this thing just to be a part of the time I want to be a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST. What does it take? It takes persistency in my purpose.

Athletes who reach the top and become CHAMPIONS purposefully do certain things in their preparation.

Diligence- That is focus and concentration. Athletes call it "THE ZONE". When someone is in the zone they are oblivious to all outside stimuli. Circumstances don’t matter. Situations don’t stop them. They are diligently seeking, purposefully preparing to be a CHAMPION. We are to have an attitude that will never give up and never give in.