Chapel – Suffering and Success

Chapel – Suffering and Success

1 – This is the sort of situation a competitor dreams about.

·      We’re playing for a championship.

·      All the events of this season and our combined character have lead us to this day.

2 – Suffering and success – they go together.

·      Throughout this season we have experienced plenty of suffering.

o   Injuries, infections, illnesses

o   Disappointing losses

o   Players lost to other issues

·      We have also experienced great success.

o   Big wins on the road

o   Players winning awards

o   Come from behind wins

o   Great achievements by the coaching staff

o   A conference championship

·      Suffering and success have been closely linked.  That is normal and even proper.

3 – I see a similar situation in Romans 8:18 (read the text aloud).

·      By comparison, the suffering is far surpassed by the success!

·      The enduring success totally eclipses momentary suffering.

4 – Examples from this team’s life:

·      The pain of pre-season conditioning is far outweighed by the thrill of powerful second-half comebacks.

·      The worry and anxiety related to a teammate’s illness or injury is greatly surpassed by the joy of seeing him restored to our team.

·      The discomfort from injuries, concussions, infections, and illness pales in comparison when laid along side the victory we’ll achieve this evening.

5 – I encourage you to view this day’s pain and suffering as investments in the victory that awaits us.  Make those investments again today and we’ll celebrate our success together.

Chapel – Strength and Courage

Chapel – Strength and Courage

1 – Today’s contest will require strength and courage for us to finish the day with a victory.

2 – Strength and courage are character qualities required for all of life and especially for competition.

·      Joshua 1:9 (read the text aloud).

3 – Be strong

·      Strong of mind (focus well and tune out crowd noise)

·      Strong of body (prepare to finish the contest strongly)

·      Strong of soul (to deal well with momentum swings)

4 – Be courageous

·      Before a strong opponent (skilled, strong…)

·      Before a hostile crowd (tune out distractions)

·      Before difficult conditions (noise, trash talk…)

5 – Wherever you go

·      You have competed well on the road

o   Game at ….

o   Game at …

o   Game at …

·      Today in __________ let’s compete strongly.

6 – The challenge for today is to:

·      Be strong

·      Be courageous

·      Believe in your team and its destiny

Compete like a champion and you’ll be one

Chapel – Servant Leadership

Chapel – Servant Leadership

1 – Today’s competition will require a tremendous amount of leadership for us to be victorious.  It will require a unique type of leadership.

2 – This kind of leadership is best described in Mark 10:42-45 (read the text aloud).

·      This is not the usual kind of leadership – it’s not about power or position.

·      To be a great leader – make those close to you better.

o   Communicate well

o   Lead your unit

·      To be the best leaders – make your whole team better.

o   Even those who annoy you

o   Even those outside your responsibility

o   Even the coaches

·      To be a Christ-like leader – sacrifice for the team’s greatest good.

o   Sacrifice playing time to further a younger player’s development

o   Play through pain

o   Submit to the game plan

o   Press through difficult situations

o   Free your teammates to become all they were created to be

3 – Lead strongly today

·      Be great leaders

·      Be the best leaders

·      Be Christ-like leaders

Chapel – Senior Day

Chapel – Senior Day

1 – This could be the last competition for some of our senior players.

·      Many of us have competed together for years.

·      On a day like this, what should characterize the attitudes of our most senior players?

·      I see a great model at Joshua 14 and verses 7-14.

2 – Joshua 14:7-14 (read the text)

·      Caleb is now 85 years old, but he’s not ready to retire.

o   “I was faithful to what I was told.”

o   “I’m as strong today as I was 45 years ago.”

o   “Give me this mountain!  I’ve heard there are giants there.”

3 – I wonder about our seniors. 

·      Are you ready to be done or would you like to keep playing?

·      I believe we can play well into the playoffs.

·      We can do so if you will lead us with an attitude like Caleb’s.

4 – If our seniors can say at this day’s end:

·      “We have done everything our coaches have told us,” then we will succeed.

·      “We are just as strong as we were in pre-season,” then we’ll be winners today.

·      “Give me this mountain, I’ve heard there are giants up there,” then we’ll play in the playoffs.

Chapel – Selfless

Chapel – Selfless

1 – Introduction – today we’ll talk about being selfless.   That’s the direct opposite of being selfish or having a “Me First” attitude.  Selfless people seek the best for others, before themselves.

2 – Read the text – Romans 12:3-5

·      Every man among us.

o   Don’t overestimate your importance.

o   Think with sober judgment.

o   God has given each of us a place on this team.

·      Your body is made up of many parts, but it is one body.  Each part has a particular function.  Each part does what it alone can do.

·      We are many in Christ and in this team, but we are one.

o   When one succeeds, we all benefit.

o   When one fails, we all suffer.

o   When one achieves, we all achieve.

o   When one acts selfishly, we all lose.

o   When one is suspended, we as a team are lesser.

·      All or goals remain within our reach.

·      We can be as good and can achieve as highly as we want.

o   If each one serves his team and teammates selflessly.

o   If each one fulfills his role to its fullest.

o   If each one will put the team’s best interest ahead of any selfish pleasures or foolish behaviors.

·      We will be champions this year if we will choose to honor our team by being selfless.

3 - Prayer

Chapel – Selfless

Chapel – Selfless

1 – Introduction – today we’ll talk about being selfless.   That’s the direct opposite of being selfish or having a “Me First” attitude.  Selfless people seek the best for others, before themselves.

2 – Read the text – Romans 12:3-5

·      Every man among us.

o   Don’t overestimate your importance.

o   Think with sober judgment.

o   God has given each of us a place on this team.

·      Your body is made up of many parts, but it is one body.  Each part has a particular function.  Each part does what it alone can do.

·      We are many in Christ and in this team, but we are one.

o   When one succeeds, we all benefit.

o   When one fails, we all suffer.

o   When one achieves, we all achieve.

o   When one acts selfishly, we all lose.

o   When one is suspended, we as a team are lesser.

·      All or goals remain within our reach.

·      We can be as good and can achieve as highly as we want.

o   If each one serves his team and teammates selflessly.

o   If each one fulfills his role to its fullest.

o   If each one will put the team’s best interest ahead of any selfish pleasures or foolish behaviors.

·      We will be champions this year if we will choose to honor our team by being selfless.

3 - Prayer

Chapel – Selfish vs. Selfless

Chapel – Selfish vs. Selfless

1 – Why is selflessness so important to successful teams?

·      Which would be more successful -

·      5 on 5?

·      1 on 5?

2 – Here’s another angle on this question from John 12:24-25 (read the text aloud).

·      If we live only for ourselves, we remain by ourselves – one remains one.

·      If we choose to compete selflessly, to involve others and to sacrifice:

o   time

o   possessions

o   minutes

o   points

o   rebounds

o   floor burns

o   we bear much fruit

o   we make everyone better

o   we multiply our team’s productivity

·      If you only self-protect – you lose.

·      If you sacrifice – you win

o   Now

o   Later

o   With teammates, friends, family and in your faith

3 – The challenge today is…

·      Rather than seeking your own good, give yourself up to make your team better.

·      Sacrifice leads to multiplied productivity.