Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD?

1. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? 1 Tim. 4:8

2. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Introduction: 1. 1 Tim. 4:8 Physical & spiritual exercise in proper perspective 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

3. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Introduction: 2. Exercise & recreation good for body & mind, but sports is not God & life not a game! 3. God must be 1st in our heart & life • 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth • Danger of Making Sports a God • Good Lessons from Sports • False Gods Fail Us

4. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? I. 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth A. Vv. 6-8 Put Truth & Godliness Above Sports

5. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. A. Vv. 6-8 Put Truth & Godliness Above Sports Remind brethren: importance of truth! Refuse error, exercise (as in a gym) in godliness Physical benefit brief, spiritual benefit eternal

6. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? I. 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth B. Vv. 9-10 Trust in the true & living God 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. Labor to exhaustion & strive vigorously (agonize as in public games) by confident faith in God

7. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? I. 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth C. Vv. 11-14 Be Bold & Zealous to Teach Truth

8. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. C. Vv. 11-14 Be Bold & Zealous to Teach Truth Do not be timid while young—teach the truth Live the truth no matter what others say or do Use your talents & gifts to the fullest

9. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? I. 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth D. Vv. 15-16 Apply Truth to Self, Then Others 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Be diligent about your own life, then teach others

10. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God A. Satan Seeks to Shake Total Devotion of Our Heart to God • 2 Cor. 2:11 God exposes Satan’s tactics: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” • Eph. 6:11 God equips us to defeat Satan: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”

11. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God A. Satan Seeks to Shake Total Devotion of Our Heart to God • Matt. 22:36-40 Total love of God defeats Satan

12. Matt. 22:36-40 Total love of God defeats Satan 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

13. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God A. Satan Seeks to Shake Total Devotion of Our Heart to God • Matt. 6:19-24 We serve what we love: God or mammon

14. Matt. 6:19-24 We serve what we love: God or mammon 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

15. Matt. 6:19-24 We serve what we love: God or mammon The heart can focus on light or dark, God or material things, BUT NOT BOTH! 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

16. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God B. Sports Fanatic: No Time for God & the Gospel • Jn. 3:16 No time to receive God’s gift 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God B. Sports Fanatic: No Time for God & the Gospel • Acts 22:16 No time to wash away sin 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

18. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God B. Sports Fanatic: No Time for God & the Gospel • Heb. 9:27 No time when time runs out! 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

19. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God C. Gambling: Love of Mammon • Matt. 6:24 Love material things above God 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

20. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God C. Gambling: Love of Mammon • Rom. 13:9-10 Covet, legalized stealing

21. Rom. 13:9-10 Covet, legalized stealing 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

22. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God D. Lie & Cheat for Advantage • Matt. 5:33-37 Do not hide or dodge the truth: tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth!

23. Matt. 5:33-37 Do not hide or dodge the truth: tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth! 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

24. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God E. Tongue & Temper Out of Control • Col. 3:8 Temper tantrums, cursing, filthy words “part of the game” 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

25. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God F. Dancing: Lascivious Exercise • Rationalize: exercise, coordination, athletic celebrations, cheerleading, etc. • Gal. 5:19-21 Lasciviousness (aselgeia): “unbridled lust…shamelessness… wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males & females” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

26. Gal. 5:19-21 Lasciviousness (aselgeia) 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

27. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God G. Immodest & Worldly Dress & Demeanor • Some sports uniforms, cheerleader outfits, & attire of fans • Mimic sports figures who mimic homosexuals & gang members: tattoos, body piercing, males with earrings, etc. • 1 Pet. 3:3-5 Holy in dress & demeanor

28. 1 Pet. 3:3-5 Holy in dress & demeanor 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

29. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God G. Immodest & Worldly Dress & Demeanor • 1 Cor. 11:5 Unveiled women sent mixed signals about modesty in Corinth: like tattoos, body piercing, males with earrings, etc. today 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

30. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God H. Using Alcohol & Other Drugs • Sports figures & fans drink (some use drugs) • 1 Pet. 5:8 Sober mind defeats Satan 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

31. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? II. Danger of Making Sports a God I. Miss Worship & Bible Study • Rationalize: just this once, championship game, tournament, etc. • What signal about priority: • Miss church for ball game? • Miss all or part of game for church? • Heb. 10:25-26 Satan seeks to harden hearts

32. 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, • Heb. 10:25-26 Satan seeks to harden hearts

33. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? III. Good Lessons from Sports A. Importance of Self-Discipline & Sacrifice • 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Illustrated by sports

34. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. • 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Illustrated by sports

35. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? III. Good Lessons from Sports B. Life Is Not Always “Fair” • Eccl. 9:11 Must accept setbacks & losses 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

36. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? III. Good Lessons from Sports C. Encouragement from Good Examples • Heb. 12:1-2 Victors urge us to victory

37. 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. • Heb. 12:1-2 Victors urge us to victory

38. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? III. Good Lessons from Sports D. Keep Eyes on the Goal or Prize • Heb. 12:2 Looking to Jesus 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

39. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? IV. False Gods Fail Us A. When We Need the True God, Sports Cannot Help or Comfort Us • Heb. 4:16 The Lord is always ready to help us 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

40. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? IV. False Gods Fail Us B. Sports Cannot Pardon Our Sins • Ps. 103:11-12 The Lord’s mercy is great 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

41. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? IV. False Gods Fail Us C. What Will Sports Mean When We Grow Old? • 2 Cor. 4:16 The Lord sustains our soul to the end 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

42. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? IV. False Gods Fail Us D. When We Die & Go to Judgment, Can Sports Help Us? • Heb. 9:27 Prepare for death & judgment 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

43. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? IV. False Gods Fail Us E. Eternal Life or Punishment Is Not Based on Our Athletic Accomplishments • 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Did we know God & obey the gospel?

44. 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; • 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Did we know God & obey the gospel?

45. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Invitation: 1. 1 Tim. 4:8 Physical & spiritual exercise in proper perspective 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

46. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Invitation: 2. Exercise & recreation good for body & mind, but sports is not God & life not a game! 3. God must be 1st in our heart & life • 1 Tim. 4:6-16 Focus on God & Truth • Danger of Making Sports a God • Good Lessons from Sports • False Gods Fail Us

47. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Invitation: 4. God is ready to save us when we are ready! 5. Jesus invites sinners in the world: • Mk. 16:16 Submit by obedient faith 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

48. Are We Making SPORTS OUR GOD? • Invitation: 6. Jesus invites fallen saints: • Acts 8:22 Repent, confess, & pray 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.