Yesterday I preached a message from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 on how to be a game changer. Here are the highlights:
The Apostle Paul was not only a game changer, but he was a world changer. You and I were born to change the world!
How do we do it?
a. Successful game changing people become themselves.
You will make the best and most significant mark by becoming who you were meant to become. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
What is it you were created for? Become that person with God’s help.
b. Successful, game changing people prepare daily to win.
Paul said, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”
Christians, we need to be drilling over and over again on the fundamentals. Bible reading and prayer may feel like routine exercise, but in order to succeed you must be faithful to them otherwise we will live an “aimless” existence as Paul pointed out.
c. Successful, game changing people learn from their failures.
Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
Paul wore himself out trying to preach from every possible angle, trying to get in with every possible people group, trying to identify with people on their level in hopes that at the end of the day some of them would accept Jesus as Savior and become Christians. But Paul realized not every person he talked to about Jesus would be saved. Paul could have seen himself as a bad preacher. He could have blamed himself for not being better spoken or more compelling, but that isn’t the decision he made. He decided to keep going and keep traveling from town to town to preach the Good News about Jesus.
d. Successful, game changing people help others win.
Paul did what he did so that others could score eternity in heaven! The best sports players are those who make the extra pass to let someone else score. They are those who block the opponent so that their team mate can run into the end zone. We shine the brightest when we help others shine.
Are you becoming who you are? Are you becoming what God intends? Are you in strict training to do your very best to prepare for the good works God has planned for you? Are you learning from failures or are you shrinking back in fear? Are you living life for yourself alone or are you helping others win? Where are the Christians who will join me in becoming game changers for the Kingdom of God?
Have a great week in the Lord! Make a difference today for someone you meet!
Pastor Melissa
