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 didnft 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.
but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,I strain to reach the end of the race
Phil 3:13-14 (NLT)
And let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Focusing on Jesus... Hebrews 12:1-2 (GN)
The more diligent you are in purpose the higher the level of performance. Difference between loser & CHAMPION!
Devotion- The difference in a CHAMPION and a loser is the CHAMPION is willing to do what the loser isn’t. To be a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST, you must purpose in your heart you want to be the best. Devoting your time, your talents, and your treasure to CHRIST without quitting. Don’t quit.
I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion Isaiah 38:2 (NLT)
Devotion is making a vow, purposing in your heart that you will be a CHAMPION. The difference between a champion and the average person is that the champion devotes to keep trying when the average person quits---his attitude drives him on.
The level of your devotion will decide your destiny. Will you make to your destiny as a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST!
You must know there is-
A Price to Pay
No pain, no gain. Train through the pain. 2 a day practices in the heat, vomiting and dehydrating, is paying the price before the CHAMPIONSHIP ever comes in late November. CHAMPIONS 4 CHRIST are willing to go the extra mile, stay after church for 15 extra minutes, spend an hour longer in prayer, read little more of the Word of God, shed a few more tears, bear an extra burden. I am talking about CHAMPIONS. There is a price to pay if you want to be a CHAMP.
Discipline- No sloppy living for me! I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should (NLT) vs. 27 (Beating it into subjection KJV) vs. 25 CHAMPIONS train hard
CHAMPIONS are disciplined in their behavior and lifestyles. CHAMPIONS view their failures as temporary inconvenances and learning experiences. If a little pain now will bring a great victory later, then BRING IT ON! 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Discipline replaces short term pain with long term pleasure.
Determination- I’m giving it everything I’ve got.
David wanted it so bad he was determined to get it. Quit talking about wanting to be a CHAMPION, determine to be a CHAMPION. Give it everything you’ve got, with passionate determination and desire go after it. Be excited and enthusiastic about Christ. Give it everything you’ve got. Don’t be half hearted.
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 for CHAMPIONS! 100%. We are called to RUN, not walk. We are called to RUN not jog.
Determine to be a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST.
Be persistent in your determination. Your determination to pay the price will pay off. Determination is 98% perspiration and 2% inspiration. Being willing to pay the price is the difference between a CHAMP and a CHUMP!
You must realize there is-
A Prize to Possess
You also must run in such a way that you will win. Not to win a prize that will fade away, for an eternal prize. 1Cor. 9:24-25
What do CHAMPIONS receive at the end? A ribbon, a medal a trophy, a prize. CHAMPIONS 4 CHRIST receive a prize as well. And it will never fade away. It is eternal. We are striving to possess it.
Eternal Prize/Trophy They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Eternal life is our prize.
CHAMPIONS 4 CHRIST must endure until the end in order to receive their prize.
let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
A CHAMPION refuses to consider the possibility of quitting because he is totally convinced that success is imminent. I challenge you to adopt the heart of a CHAMPION. Don’t be afraid of missing opportunities when you don’t even try. Are you a CHAMPION 4 CHRIST! Discover that CHAMPION within you today.
