INTRO:
We've been talking about being in the zone.
To Dwell -- to exist in a given plan, to reside
Psalms 91 says there is a place that will cause us
to have God's shadow on us.
-I call that the ZONE
-We've been using football as our metaphor
-And since today is Superbowl Sunday
-I thought I would use some more football language
Here is some football language redefined for the church:
1. Quarterback Sneak
-church members quietly leaving during the invitation
2. Draw Play
-What many children do with the bulletin during worship
3. Bench Warmer
-Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything
4. Backfield in Motion
-Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain)
5. Staying the Pocket
-What happens to a lot of money that should be given
6. Two Minute Warning
-The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin gathering up your children and belongings.
7. Sudden Death
-What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes 'overtime'.
8. End Run
-Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
9. Blitz
-The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
A) Defensive Holding
-One unsaved friend not allowing another unsaved friend to answer the altar call
I want to talk about zones:
1. O-Zone
-not in the game
-you're zoned out
-in the stand watching
-the rest of the people compete
B) Offensive Holding
-A saved person holding an unsaved person from answering the altar call because they will be late to lunch.
2. Comfort Zone
-This the place where most of the game is played
-But there are no points scored
-You can't have victory in the comfort zone
-The opposition is not as intense
C) Unnecessary Roughness
-Criticizing a sermon because it steps on your toes
Challenge -- Red Flag
3. Red Zone
-The opposing team won't give an inch.
-Progress is slower -- harder -- tougher
-Breakdown / Breakthrough
-Place of Greatest Resistance -- Your place of greatest breakthrough.
D) Illegal Motion
-Gossiping to someone about what you know under the guise of "concern for the church".
4. End Zone
-The breakthrough
-The score
-The victory
-These are the 4 zones I want to discuss
-And challenge you to move from whatever zone you're in...
...to the END ZONE
-I thought it would be helpful to help you identify each zone by investigating some of the reasons and character traits of those in each zone.
-The journey of the Israelites serves as a great backdrop.
-In their journey from the 0-Zone to the END-ZONE!
1. The O-Zone
EXODUS 1:8-10
9And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we."
-They were put in slavery
-Our lives before Christ
-The O-Zone
-Just living -- no purpose
-No plans for eternity
-Under the devils' control
-Living life in the stands...
...spiritually speaking
...just watching
-You might be saved, you might not be
(Demonstrate both)
-You wonder why they don't get in the game
EXAMPLE: I had to quit football in the 10th grade...
...it was then when I found out why others don't play
-doubt of abilities
-fear of getting hurt
-tried before and failed
-other interests/priorities
-injuries from the past
-I recognized these same excuses are what keep people in the stands...and out of the race in life.
1. Doubt
-I am not good enough
-Can't make the cut
2. Fear
-Fear of the unknown
-I might get hurt
-False
-Evidence
-Appearing
-Real
3. Past Failure
-I tried once
4. Priorities
-No one is promised tomorrow
5. Hurt
-Hurt by coach
-Hurt by team
-Past injury
-People in church
-Hypocrites
-Pastors failed
2. The Comfort Zone
Exodus 16:4
-Here are Christians living lukewarm
-They are somewhere in between
-Have you ever felt like you were somewhere in between this and that...previous blessing and powerful breakthrough
1. Tired
-Moses and his tired arms
-He needs a little support
-Exodus 17
-Matthew 11:28-30
-giving all energy somewhere else
2. Lack of Hunger
-Coming home for dinner but eating junk food
-How to regain hunger
1. FAST
2. Balanced Diet
3. Burning Energy
-Matthew 5:6
3. No Vision
-Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV)
-Jesus healed vision more than any other infirmity
-Because the devil knows if you can see it you can seize it!
-Samson -- Blind -- Bind -- Grind
4. Priorities
5. Living off Yesterdays Victories
EXAMPLE: Colts trying to go undefeated
3. The Red Zone
Joshua 1:2
-Read Joshua 1:3 various verses
ľ They had lost their coach leader
ľ It was flood season
ľ Jericho
ľ Giants
ľ Attitudes
-opposition is more focused in the red zone
-yardage is smaller and harder
-bring out the biggest and toughest
-fight for inches
PART II
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
-When you're in the red zone it will take:
1) Fight
-Battle
-Warfare
-New levels = new devils
2) Faith
-Trust in the dark what HE gave you in the light
3) Bounce Back Anointing
-Breath
4) Refusal to Settle for Former Glory
5) Sacrifice
-Give up to go up
-I lay aside every weight
-I press to the prize
-Joshua 14:7
-Joshua 14:11-12a
(*KJV = give me my mountain)
4. The End Zone
-The dance
When you reach the END ZONE
1. Break Past Curses
-What they said you couldn't do...
...you can do
-And it breaks down the defense past barriers
2. Builds Confidence
-A "yes-I-can" attitude
-Your ceiling becomes your floor
-Beat up your enemy
3. Sends a Message That You're in it to Win
-David killing Goliath
4. Gives New Hope
-Confidence
-Energy
5. Enjoyment of the Plunder
-Goals realized
-Bike giveaway 500-600 saved
6. Favor of God
-Increased Capacity
7. Praise
-When you're winning nothing hurts
