The Qualities of A Champion
Selected Passages
January 5, 2003
Introduction
What an incredible season this has been for the Ohio State Football team! Look at all they have accomplished: remained undefeated during the longest season ever (13 – 0), succeeded in spite of constant criticism by so called “experts”, they were told that they didn’t really deserve to be at the Fiesta Bowl and had no real chance of winning. In fact, Miami was so confident that they would win that there were invitations for their victory celebration printed before the game began. However, the Buckeyes worked as a team and overcome the odds and defeated a strong Miami team in one of the greatest national championship games in college football. I think that when you look at the team; one word comes to mind: champions
All of this leads me to a question: what does it take to be a champion for Christ? What are the qualities of Christian champions?
Body
I. A Passion to Achieve (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
A. The passion to win
1. Passion is shown in determination
a.) There is to be a single minded determination in our Christian life; to live for Christ to the best of our ability
b.) The attitude that an athlete has to win is the same kind of attitude that we need to fully live for Christ. Nothing less than full effort is acceptable. We are called to run, not walk. We are called to run not jog.
2. Passion is shown diligence
a.) We are to have an attitude that will never give in and never give up
b.) Passion is one of the key qualities that is seen in our day to day lives that separates those who are champions for Christ
B. The passion in direction
1. Passion shown in discipline
a.) Every believer is to live a life that is careful
Careful in manner – How we treat others
Careful in motive – Why we do what we do
b.) Every believer is to live a life that is consistent
2. Passion shown in destiny
a.) Our destiny will be rewarded by an incorruptible and eternal crown
b.) Our destiny gives a fresh filling of passion every time that we focus on it because we have an eternal future and we have the opportunity to make an eternal impact on the lives of others
C. The passion in dedication
1. Passion shown in our living
a.) Our passion is revealed in dedicated living the life we have been given in Christ
b.) Our passion helps us to live our lives at a whole new level
2. Passion shown in our commitment
a.) We are called to live out what we believe
If we believe Christ died for our sins we should live in that freedom
If we believe Christ is the only way to salvation; we should live by sharing it
If we believe Christ is coming again we should live expecting to see Him face to face
If you don’t live it; you don’t believe it!
b.) We are in the midst of a constant struggle
1.) We struggle against our sinful nature
2.) We struggle to a salvation mindset
Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God
Christ is going to keep working in us and through us until His work is complete
3.) We struggle to continually walk in the power of the Holy Spirit
4.) We struggle because NONE of us are perfect
II. A Purpose to Accomplish (Galatians 2:2 and Philippians 2:16)
A. Purpose offers focus
as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
1. Focus on the word of life
a.) Our focus is to be squarely on holding out the word of life. To hold out means to share the love and life that can only be found in Christ
b.) Our focus is on the fact that we are given life that is abundant and full here on earth; eternal and incorruptible in heaven.
2. Focus on living fully
a.) We do not run this race of life in vain. When we run for Christ, live for Christ and serve Christ; nothing that we do is in vain.
b.) Everything that you do for Christ will bear spiritual fruit; either in your own life, in the lives of others or both
B. Purpose offers fruitfulness
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.
1. The fruitfulness of Christ
a.) We gain the privilege of all of Christ’s efforts and the power of His sacrifice. From Him we gain the first fruits of the resurrection and the blessing of God the Father.
b.) We gain the strength of His resurrection and the power of His new life.
2. The fruitfulness in mission
a.) When we live our lives for Christ, we will be fruitful. We will bear spiritual fruit for the kingdom.
b.) Christ pours His blessing into our lives and gives us victory over the challenges we face in life.
III. A Persistence to Advance (Hebrews 12:1)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
A. The persistence from inspiration
1. The participants
a.) We gain encouragement from the lives of the great heroes of the bible because they have set an incredible example for us to follow. They have lived out a life of spiritual champions and we learn from both their successes and their failures.
b.) Examples:
Moses: How to have an intimate relationship with God
Abraham: How to take God at His word
Joseph: How to depend on God in tough times
David: How to lean on God to rise above our failures
Esther: How to rely on God’ provision and protection
2. The spectators
a.) Those same heroes of the faith are not just participants but now they are spectators who form a great cloud of witnesses. They cheer us on in our race.
b.) OSU past players on the sidelines
c.) This is exactly what the heroes of the faith want to do for you
B. The persistence from intention
1. The perspective to throw off
a.) Throw off those things that hinder us in our living for Christ. Anything that does not help us to become stronger in Christ is nothing but dead weight.
b.) Throw off those things that ensnare or trap us. Anything that consumes or takes up our strength and keeps us from following Christ to the best of our ability.
2. The persistence to move forward
a.) The word patience is not passive but active. This does not mean that we sit back and take whatever life throws our way. Instead, it means that we take an active role in life and meet the challenges that we face head on
b.) We may have to go through hard times but we never go through them alone. Sometimes it is the difficulties of life that refine our character and renew our strength. The simple truth is that we might take some hard hits in life but with Christ we always have the strength to get back on our feet
