1. Spiritual Athletes

2. Elements of the Sports Experience
Preparation

5. REQUIRES SELF-CONTROL
PREPARATION
REQUIRES SELF-CONTROL

6. For Christians every day is a combination of game day and training day.

7. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
- I Peter 1:13-14

8. 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
- I Peter 1:15-16

9. SELF-CONTROL
+ HOPE OF HEAVEN
x OBEDIENCE
HOLY LIFE

10. Elements of the Sports Experience
Preparation
Perseverance

11. “Training to improve your abilities and performance requires perseverance as you train to the point of exhaustion in order for the body to build new muscle and improve its energy systems.” - K. Mahoney – ThoughtCo

12. Keys to Developing Perseverance
Realize that there will be pain
Decide that you will not quit
Ask yourself, “Is this worth is?”

13. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
- Hebrews 12:1

14. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
- Galatians 6:9

15. Christians have to learn to transfer the burden for success from themselves to Jesus Christ.

16. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:13

17. Elements of the Sports Experience
Preparation
Perseverance
The Game

18. The Game
Competition

19. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
- Ephesians 6:10-11

20. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Ephesians 6:12

21. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
- Ephesians 6:13-14

22. 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
- Ephesians 6:15-16

23. Christians compete against spirits and the evil one, and the game is unto death.

24. The Game
Competition
Winning and Losing

26. If winning is a way of judging an athlete’s skills, losing is then a way of determining an athlete’s limits.

28. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
- I Corinthians 9:24-25

29. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
- I Corinthians 9:26-27

30. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
- Galatians 5:7

31. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
- II Timothy 2:5

32. “I have my own relationship with God… “All you need is love… “I’m spiritual, not religious…

33. 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
- Hebrews 1:1-2

34. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
- Hebrews 1:3

35. Only those who finish receive the prize.

36. RUN + FINISH = PRIZE

37. Finish the Race!