MORE THAN WINNING

October 9, 2017

MORE THAN WINNING

Proverbs 11:22-31

Michael Santiago

Central Truth

Standing on a podium every four years to be given an Olympic medal for your efforts in front of the entire world: very cool. Being given the opportunity to have eternal life with God now AND in another world to come: GAMECHANGER.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.
(Proverbs 11:30)

22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
    is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,^{1

11:27
Or acceptance}
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth,
    how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Footnotes

[1] 11:27 Or acceptance

I grew up a military brat, which included our family moving every two to three years. Sports was one of my consistent outlets wherever we were deployed. I had a strong pursuit of the craving to accomplish victory, at all costs if necessary. Regardless of my effort in sports, I had to come to grips with the fact that I was rarely going to start. It was tough because my idea of who I was seemed to be wrapped around my position on the team.

All that changed over time after I made a commitment to Christ. That is when the reality of playing on God’s team became very clear to me. First, I get to start a lot. Not because I deserve to; no, Jesus went through something way worse than "two-a-day" practices and then some so I could have a chance to be on His team (1 Peter 3:18). Second, I have a very clear picture of what my position is (Galatians 2:20) and how I can contribute to the team (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Third, my view of competition (the how) and the win (the why) is filtered through God’s Word (Joshua 1:8). All the heavy lifting has been done in advance (John 1:12). This is the greatest team EVER to play on!

Proverbs 11:30 makes reference to capturing souls. My wife and I have consistently used the platform of sports to REACH the PEOPLE of sports! One of the best stories that took place through this vehicle of sports concerned a freshmen soccer player at UTD. He showed up at our house for an FCA meeting on a Sunday night, ate a great meal (provided by my amazing wife), and then heard my challenge about his need for a Savior. Today, seven years later, he and his new bride serve in ministry in the greater Houston area. Athletics provides a simple and effective platform to share the gospel of Jesus Christ!

1. What FIRES you up to want to live?

2. Do you think God intends for you to start in the game of life?

3. Winning in competition really is fun, but that feeling goes away. What about the feeling that you are always on a winning team? What team can make that happen?