CHAMPIONS
C Champions live with CHARACTER
Psalms 78:72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by
the skillfulness of his hands.
Ps. 15:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy
hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He
who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach
against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the
LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at
usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Ps 101 1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house
with a perfect heart. 3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall
away; It shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.
5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a
proud heart, Him I will not endure. 6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may
dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. 7 He who works deceit shall not
dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. 8 Early I will destroy all
the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.
Character brings credibility.
1 Sam. 18:5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over
the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
1 Samuel 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they
went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became
highly esteemed.
1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we
behaved ourselves among you who believe;
Character brings opportunity.
Phil. 2: 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be
encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for
your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his
proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I
hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.
Character brings security.
Prov. 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will
destroy them.
Character brings Blessings.
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Titus 2:6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a
pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that
cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Power Quote
In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have
their confidence. Hence the supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without
it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an
army, or in an office. If a man’s associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he
lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and his actions must square with each
other. The first great need, therefore is integrity and high purpose. – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Power Illustration:
Jelly fish eating snails
- snails ate the jellyfish
Dr. Lewis Thomas – a well known pathologist… studied the Madusa and the snail in the bay of
Naples. (the Madusa is a jellyfish and this particular snail was of the Nuda branch). The
Jellyfish would capture and shallow the snail but because the snails shell was so hard it could
not digest it. The snail then starting poking its head out to nibble, finding the jelly fish to
be tasty. The snail slowly ate the entire jellyfish.
What are you bringing into your life that is slowly destroying you? Your marriage? Your
Church? Your friendships?
C Champions live with CHARACTER
H Champions have a HEART for God that translates into a HUNGER to
know Him and to live HUMBLY before God
I Sam 13:14 "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man
after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because
you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
Acts 13:22 "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He
gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who
will do all My will.’
1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a
loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent
of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you
off forever.
Knowledge of God is found in His Word. Prov. 2:1-5
Prov. 2:1 ¶ My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you
incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for
discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for
her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the
knowledge of God.
Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
Ps. 63:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>>
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the
sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 ¶ Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful
lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
Col. 1:10c increasing in the knowledge of God;
2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be
the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show
Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly;
therefore from now on you shall have wars."
Mark 12:30 ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
A ATTITUDE - attitude determines altitude
AN ALCERATED ALTITUDE ADVANCED by ATTITUDE
Quote by Swindoll
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me,
is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than
failures, than successes, that what other people think or say or do. It is more
important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a
church or a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding
the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. Nor can we
change the fact that people will act a certain way. We also cannot change the
inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have and that is
our attitude. I am convinced THAT LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND 90%
HOW I REACT TO IT. AND SO IT IS WITH YOU- WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR
ATTITUDE.
Negative attitudes to watch out for and resist:
1. A critical spirit
based on a pride putting yourself as the perfect example.
Expressed as “if I were I charge”
2. A depressed spirit
based on a weak faith
pessimistic outlook
seen in weariness, constant pressure,
comes with bad spiritual habits, and unconfessed sins
be careful of making major decisions when you are depressed
3. A resentful spirit
based on a poor self-identity
seen in a dislike for those who are excelling regardless of where they
are or what they do.
4. A selfish spirit based on materialism and covetousness
“Brand Only” Christian
Jesus condemned this attitude in Matt. 23:25
me-ism is prevalent
5. A negative spirit
Based on a anemic prayer life
Bad motives, seen in statements “It can’t be done.”
Votes no on everything
6. An irritable spirit
based on poor personal relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit
will be touchy, overly sensitive constantly having a bad day.
Remember, it is not just how you act but how you react to pressure and problems
Seven attitudes to have:
1. A dependent attitude based on Jn. 15:4-5
1 ¶ "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear
fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3
"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you
abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much
fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
2. A positive attitude based on Ps. 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
3. A dependable attitude based on Col. 3:23-24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
4. A supportive attitude based on Neh. 2:17
Neh. 2:17 Then I said to them, "You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and
its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be
a reproach." 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of
the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set
their hands to this good work.
Complaining – in book of Numbers it cost the people the opportunity to live in the promise
land See Num. 14
Complaining people live in the wilderness Concerned people build great walls.
The choice is between Numbers and Nehemiah
Complaining
Exodus 15:24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
Ex. 16:2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said,
"Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"
Numbers 11:1 Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger
was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.
Numbers 14:2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation
said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!
Numbers 14:29 ‘The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you
who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.
Deuteronomy 1:27 "and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us
out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
5. A humble attitude based on Jn. 3:30;Acts 14:14-15
John 3:26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the
Jordan, to whom you have testified——behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" 27 John
answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 "You
yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears
him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30 "He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 "He who comes from above is above all; he who is
of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
It is not about being a star it is about being a servant!
6. A persevering attitude based on Phil. 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
7. A caring attitude based on Phil. 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others.
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!
M Champions are on a mission from God
They are MISSION MINDED
They are not just marking time - they are purpose driven to make a contribution
Three major decisions – who your Master is; what your mission is and who your mate will be?
Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem.
And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a
day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they
returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard
Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His
mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49
And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s
business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down
with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Am I to have purpose? Heb. 12:1 “….since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us” Heb. 12:1
Your purpose defines your direction and direction defines your destiny.
Many people end up at the wrong destination because of how they began. They were focused on the
wrong thing. Your focus will determine your destination.
Power verses for purpose in life
“For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” Phil. 1:21
The Apostle Paul
“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15 (Joshua)
For your life to count you need to be purpose driven. The failure to decide now could mean that you
finish life with undesired and unwanted results.
Story of Alfred Nobel
This happened to one man. His name was Alfred. To his surprise and shock he read in his local paper early one
morning that he had died. Imagine the shock!!! Because he was a very powerful and wealthy man the newspaper
had made this front page news and had written a commentary on his life. That morning Alfred read what the
world thought of him and while he was shocked to learn he had died, he was now greatly disappointed with his
life accomplishments and how people viewed him. The writer had written that he was a man who had changed
the face of modern war, allowing for men to be killed quickly and with great numbers. This description was very
close to the truth as Alfred was the inventor of dynamite and had made millions supplying arms to armies.
Because of a newspaper’s error, (it was Alfred’s brother who had really died) Alfred was given a chance to see
what his life had accomplished.
Taking inventory of his life Alfred decided he did not want to be known as the father of modern war, a
promoter of war, but rather a man of peace. For the rest of his life Alfred gave himself and his resources to
the causes of peace. The work of Alfred continues even to this day as each year a peace prize is presented to
a person who promotes and works for peace. The peace prize is named the Nobel Peace Prize, receiving it’s
name from Alfred Nobel – a man who did not want to be known as a man of war, but a man of peace.
Go to your own funerals and image four speakers - a family member a friend a co-worker and
their pastor speaking what will they say? It will be based on the purpose they choose for their
life.
P Champions live by PRIORITIES IN ORDER
time management
YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING IF YOU CHASE TWO RABBITS BOTH WILL GET AWAY!
All activities are not productive. Options do not equal opportunities.
Luke 10:38-42 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman
named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’
feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and
said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help
me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many
things. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away
from her."
Luke 8:14 "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are
choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
I Champions are INTERCESSORS, praying for others
Col. 1:9-11 he writes “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, for all
patience and longsuffering with joy.” NKJV Col. 1:9-11
O Champions understand the value of OBEDIENCE
What caused King Saul to fall from favor with God?
I Sam. 15: 2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed
him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 ‘Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they
have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and
donkey.’" 7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 He
also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that
was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly
destroyed. 10 ¶ Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I greatly regret that I have set up
Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And
it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet
Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has
gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal." 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him,
"Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." 14 But Samuel said, "What
then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" 15 And Saul said,
"They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to
sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be
quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on." 17 So Samuel
said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD
anoint you king over Israel? 18 "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the
sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 "Why then did you not obey the
voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?" 20 And Saul
said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me,
and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 "But the people took of
the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to
the LORD your God in Gilgal." 22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than
the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
N Champions will be NAVIGATORS for others
In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom.
“Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits
himself or herself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to
Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to
reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation."
S Champions understand they must make SACRIFICES to be Champions
They sacrifice to grow to their potential.
Six levels
6. Growth that allows them to handle any job
5. Growth that allows them to take others higher (J. B. hunt – I want 40 millionaires working for me)
4. Growth that takes them to a higher level job
3. Growth that makes them able to reproduce themselves in their job
2. Growth that makes them CAPABLE in their job
1. Some growth - average – same as others
CHAMPIONS
Shorter version
C Champions live with CHARACTER
Psalms 78:72 So he (David) shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided
them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Character brings credibility.
1 Sam. 18:5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over
the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
1 Samuel 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they
went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became
highly esteemed.
1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we
behaved ourselves among you who believe;
Character brings opportunity.
Phil. 2: 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be
encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for
your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his
proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I
hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.
Character brings security.
Prov. 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will
destroy them.
Character brings Blessings.
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Power Quote
In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have
their confidence. Hence the supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without
it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an
army, or in an office. If a man’s associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he
lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and his actions must square with each
other. The first great need, therefore is integrity and high purpose. – Dwight D. Eisenhower
H
Champions have a HEART for God that translates into a HUNGER to know Him and
to live HUMBLY before God
I Sam 13:14 "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man
after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because
you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
Acts 13:22 "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He
gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who
will do all My will.’
1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a
loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent
of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you
off forever.
Knowledge of God is found in His Word. Prov. 2:1-5
Prov. 2:1 ¶ My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you
incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for
discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for
her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the
knowledge of God.
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show
Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly;
therefore from now on you shall have wars."
A Champions have a great ATTITUDE - attitude determines altitude
Negative attitudes to watch out for and resist:
1. A critical spirit
based on a pride
putting yourself as the perfect example.
Expressed as “if I were I charge”
2. A depressed spirit
based on a weak faith
pessimistic outlook
seen in weariness, constant pressure,
comes with bad spiritual habits, and unconfessed sins
be careful of making major decisions when you are depressed
3. A resentful spirit based on a poor self-identity
seen in a dislike for those who are excelling regardless of where they are or what they do.
4. A selfish spirit
based on materialism and covetousness
me-ism is prevalent
“Brand Only” Christian
Jesus condemned this attitude in Matt. 23:25
5. A negative spirit
Based on a anemic prayer life
Bad motives, seen in statements “It can’t be done.”
Votes no on everything
6. An irritable spirit based on poor personal relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit
will be touchy, overly sensitive
constantly having a bad day.
Remember, it is not just how you act but how you react to pressure and problems
Seven attitudes to have:
1. A dependent attitude based on Jn. 15:4-5
2. A positive attitude based on Ps. 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
3. A dependable attitude based on Col. 3:23-24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
4. A supportive attitude based on Neh. 2:17
Complaining people live in the wilderness Concerned people build great walls.
The choice is between Numbers and Nehemiah
5. A humble attitude based on Jn. 3:30;Acts 14:14-15
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.
6. A persevering attitude based on Phil. 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
7. A caring attitude based on Phil. 2:3-4
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!
M Champions are on a MISSION from God They are MISSION MINDED
just marking time - they are purpose driven to make a contribution
They are not
Three major decisions – who your Master is; what your mission is and who your mate will be?
Luke 2:49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My
Father’s business?"
Go to your own funerals and image four speakers - a family member a friend a co-worker and their pastor
speaking what will they say? It will be based on the purpose they choose for their life.
P Champions live by PRIORITIES IN ORDER
YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING!
time management
IF YOU CHASE TWO RABBITS BOTH WILL GET AWAY!
All activities are not productive. Activity does not equal achievement. Options do not equal opportunities.
Luke 10:38-42 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman
named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’
feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and
said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help
me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many
things. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away
from her."
I Champions are INTERCESSORS, praying for others
Col. 1:9-11 he writes “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, for all
patience and longsuffering with joy.” NKJV Col. 1:9-11
O Champions understand the value of OBEDIENCE
What caused King Saul to fall from favor with God?
I Sam. 15: 2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed
him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 ‘Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they
have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and
donkey.’" 7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 He
also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that
was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly
destroyed. 10 ¶ Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I greatly regret that I have set up
Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And
it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet
Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has
gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal." 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him,
"Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." 14 But Samuel said, "What
then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" 15 And Saul said,
"They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to
sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be
quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on." 17 So Samuel
said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD
anoint you king over Israel? 18 "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the
sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 "Why then did you not obey the
voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?" 20 And Saul
said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me,
and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 "But the people took of
the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to
the LORD your God in Gilgal." 22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than
the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
N Champions will be NAVIGATORS for others
In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom.
“Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits
himself or herself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to
Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to
reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation."
S Champions understand they must make SACRIFICES to be Champions
They sacrifice to grow to their potential and to have the ability to help others grow to
their potential.
Maxwell gives six levels of growth.
6. Growth that allows them to handle any job
5. Growth that allows them to take others higher (J. B. hunt – I want 40 millionaires working for me)
4. Growth that takes them to a higher level job
3. Growth that makes them able to reproduce themselves in their job
2. Growth that makes them CAPABLE in their job
1. Some growth - average – same as others