Equipping Season: Fourth Quarter Faith

church we are in equipment season can we say amen if you're is there anybody new here I know I met one couple welcome my name's pastor Fred I'm just kidding I'm pastor Seth we're glad you're here that's my good buddy I like to pick on but welcome we're happier here we are we are wanting to equip that's the goal so we've been talking about equipping season and most of you know I'm a football guy and I just want to share I had a dream the other night I'm not a real big dreamer but recently I've been having some dreams and I had this really cool dream I don't know if you're a sports fan or not but if you're familiar with sports you know when teams come into the fourth quarter they'll hold their four fingers up and it symbolizes like hey we're here we're gonna finish we're we're gonna go we're strong we're gonna outlast we're gonna remain to the end we're gonna come out on top we're equipped for this I don't know if you know that or not but that's a that's what that symbolized but I had a dream that it was me Fred and I couldn't see the other faces but we were it was a crowd of people we were holding up our four fingers and I believe that God just bring us into a season in a time that church we're gonna last God's calling us to last he's calling us to persevere he's calling us to push through he's calling us to win each day each down so we can get to the end and reach the ultimate goal and so I believe that's what he's bringing us into so today I titled this message fourth quarter faith and I'm hoping today that we leave here a little bit better a little bit more passion a little bit more desire to to win each day each down to advance to be effective in our walk our new mission statement we just launched equipping the one that knows Jesus to reach the one that needs Jesus amen come on we got to be equipped to go out and reach them so that's what we're gonna do today and I'm gonna I'm gonna launch from 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17 I read out of the message translation I love it and if you have a different translation it's okay the Holy Spirit will teach you it says every part of scripture is God breathed in useful one way or another showing us truth exposing our rebellion correcting our mistakes training us to live God's way through the word we are put together and shaped up say put together and shaped up that translates as equipped for the task God has for us somebody say amen do you know that God has a task for your life there's a purpose for you all right so in football like I was saying the fourth quarter it's a critical time guys when every plane decision is crucial you know that's at the end fourth quarter you got to have strength for it there's got to be preparation for it and I was talking about the players raising their four fingers because it's their commitment to giving they're all into the end say they're all actually say this I'm gonna give my all guys we're gonna leave here today with a couple declarations that I believe are really gonna help us win every day every down and see how important it is so we encounter we encounter our fourth quarter moments amen somebody say I don't know if you do but I'm in the fourth quarter moments a lot but we're being equipped with the word of God in that's essential I like to put it this way the word is the X factor and God's game plan amen it's the X factor I don't know if you know what the X factor is but that's the thing that you need and want and you want so it's shaping us it's preparing us so today what we're gonna look at is each down we're gonna walk I really want to walk through I believe God showing me this to break down down by down day by day to help us be successful every single day to be effective so what we're gonna learn today is how to manage time effectively making strategic decisions knowing when to punt we'll say it again knowing when to punt knowing when to play defense and it's gonna help us be confident and walking out our purpose so I can't start we can't start without so I gotta get something real quick I mean you hear all this banging and stuff right I brought a prop today y'all I gotta put it together my wife says she's not really sure why we had this at her house I don't have time to explain that today but uh whoa you ain't gonna know where first down all right so do you know what this is yeah so you know what this symbolizes right that one right there huh come on someone say louder for me first down let's go they'll care and all on it all right no it's not so I'm first down the team aims to gain positive yardage and set the tone for the drive say set the tone I'm gonna keep you all awake today it's about starting strong and laying the groundwork for success I want to talk to you today guys each morning is like the first down of the day amen it's your chance to set the tone for how you will navigate the day ahead this is so crucial how you wake up and start and understanding that you start on first down you are wide open today I mean if you have options you get to start today with options you're not behind you got a fresh set of downs to start amen so set the tone Ephesians Ephesians chapter 1 verse 17-18 you got your Bibles this morning I got quiet how you come to church without your butt I'm just kidding I got it for you up here I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Father may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people amen it's about knowing your identity guys I cannot stress enough how important it is to wake up and know your identity know that you wake up with first downs with options the day is wide open you have options you got to know who you are and where you start if you know you start already ahead and on first down with options that should change the dynamic in the direction of your day from the get-go amen knowing who you are in Christ so first down in our faith represents grounding ourselves in our identity in Christ at the start of each day this foundation equips us to face challenges and sets the tone for everything that follows because I don't know about you but my day often starts and it's followed by challenges the rest of the day I might be the only one in here but do I got one person where you I'm gonna find you and I'm gonna preach to you today because there's challenges there's choices to be made there's decisions there's strategic decisions that need to be made and I have a belief that a lot of people already start off on fourth down not understanding their own first down there's been a turnover on downs and that every day you wake up you get a new set of downs to work with amen some people are carrying the next one you're you're in massive overtime carrying it into the next day but you know you got a fresh down you got a fresh start and let's get after let's know who we are let's know we got a purpose to win that day amen you can't you can't so I don't know how much you know about sports but like I said there's a oh it's getting ramping up in here I'm getting excited y'all it's so in football I must be in the pocket did you guys hear that the pressure was all around so so football players they they study film right they got to understand they study film on their opponents they prepare they get ready like this is a crucial part when we when we studied so we know what's happening we know it's gonna only can prepare better for the day for the situation amen for the opponent and it changes all the time but this film study this study in the word it helps us in our identity and know who we are what areas we need growth in and it equips us to approach today confidently aligned with God's purpose this this I didn't do nothing aligned with God's purpose okay not what you want to do but align with what God wants to do today through you in you he's equipping you and each day he's got a purpose for your life I might say on first down all morning because I need you to know every single morning you wake up you have breath if you know Christ and you're following him he's got a purpose for you today guys listen tomorrow next week might be a different opponent today you got an opponent you need a win today you need a start on first down you need to start knowing who you are you need a good field position right off the bat gain some ground from the get go to set yourself up for second down let's win today okay I'm tired of us worrying about tomorrow or next week and you ever heard when you know you got a real good team and they overlook an opponent right in front of them that's like not good and it doesn't end up well a lot of times because they wasn't focused on the task at hand right in front of them let's take care of what's in front of us let's win today I don't care if you wake up every day the rest of this week you're like I'm gonna win today it's Monday I'm gonna win Monday I got a purpose on Monday that I'm going to get to because I know that on Tuesday you got something else for me so I need to take care of Monday to get to Tuesday to continue to advance see this is being effective we're talking about being effective in our walk we have to be effective in our walk there's got to be passionate there's got to be desire you got to win the day you can't just skip things and let things go you got to stay focused and know where you start from and that's knowing who you are every day wake up and tell yourself it's a new day so it's first now I got options all right where am I so I'm gonna use a couple really popular Bible examples for you guys just to kind of bring this all in but you got to you have time to think of a well thought out play start strong so you became a prayer like I said the words of X factor start there get yourself equipped start with scripture known who you are and reflection to line with God's will so you guys know the story of David in the life right do y'all think that David knew who like his identity in Christ if you don't yeah read the story you and know that he had to matter of fact you could be argued that he's the only one that did know at that that present time because he was the one that responded he knew who he was he knew his identity and he responded with confidence start your day with reaffirming who you are and understanding that all right hopefully it's worked on this all day yesterday y'all yeah second down we're moving amen second down we're building momentum second down the team builds on the initial game aiming to advance further momentum is key for success amen amen so me all act like you know come on let's get in here as the day progresses maintaining momentum is essential this phase is about continuing to advance in your task and purpose say this with me time to act on it come on we're already set up right first down is there we have momentum but let's go let's attack let's get it let's let's keep focus we got momentum let's build on it some people let momentum go out the window you don't you don't want to slow down if you got momentum keep it going second-grantheings five six and seven message translation says this that's why there it is that's why we live with such good cheer you won't see us dropping our head or dragging our feet cramp conditions here don't get us down they only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead amen it's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going see guys these are all popular scriptures we read I want to help us really use them to be effective see these are just great words and great scriptures that we throw out there but they're really here to have meant to help us be successful continue in our purpose continuing our walk to really be effective you guys believe that well let's start taking these things and let's start putting them into play this stuff will keep our momentum going as we're trekking through our day remember we're focused on winning them now amen there's too many there we're just we're gonna get there on third down but there's just too many people there's too many believers that are falling short they're fumbling the ball they're not paying attention they're not aware they're not handling the ball and we need to make sure that we're handling it and we're being effective we're taking care of it because we understand we have a purpose and we're trying to achieve that purpose at by any means amen sorry y'all I'm passionate about sports and the word second down represents apply am I yelling if I'm yelling I'm sorry second down I feel like a coach come on let's go second down represents applying your faith and building upon the foundation you've set it's about making steady progress as you move forward throughout the day I often run into people and I'm telling you I really believe like I'm gonna win the day like something really back it just happened how's it going it's gonna be a great day because I believe that I'm trying to win the day I can't listen tomorrow's gonna bring a whole new set of challenges I don't even have time to worry about I gotta win right now I gotta stay focused I can't let this get me down I can't let this make me lose yard right we gotta stay on top of it so we're back in the film room we're studying so after reviewing film and adjusting strategies players apply say apply what they've learned to the next play continue studying guys word and applying it to each step of your day this builds momentum helping you advance in your purpose are you all bored so when you're relating this to football team use a strategy to play on second down to keep momentum going in the same way we should apply our faith throughout the day to continue advancing towards our goals guys I don't know if we I don't know if we understand that once we get a new set of downs right like we have a set of downs right now we're going through but once we get a first down it starts over but you're moving down the field if you're getting first down so the same momentum you got to keep going so football is situational you might have second and long you might have second and short you got to adjust to that right all of our situations throughout our day we have to adjust to we have to be willing we have to be open we have to stay focused if you're not focused guys you're not aware of where you're at on the field what you need to gain I think I mean I'm talking to the sports people if you're not a sports fan I'm sorry but like you know as a receiver you have to be aware of where you're at to get the first down right you can't need seven yards and run a five and out you better get it like you better run a seven and out you better get to the first down this is what it's about being aware of your surroundings being aware of what's going on making yourself stay focused to reach the goal come on guys every single day we have opportunity every single day amen so we got where we at all your way off it's alright or maybe I'm way off go to the next slide nope go back to slides we're in second down just stay right there cuz it's half time we're we're gonna go into half time so guys half time you know at half times for half time is to refine it's for water break but it's for making adjustments it's for adjusting to the strategy because this is a guy's I get it somebody might be like hey I'm trying to win today but I feel like I'm losing well guess what all teams prepare for second half adjustments actually most game plans are different in the second half there's some really good there's actually a really good team that adjusts well that I'm kind of I'm gonna put him on blast for a minute did you all here our pastor last week talk about Tom Brady he's like I don't like him and I'm saying back you don't have to like him he's the best ever do it he did say that he said he's probably the best ever do it I'm just giving him a hard time but he's a goat and you have to be able to navigate and come back from being down we can we can get down guys we're gonna have challenge and moments but it's what is your desire to finish the day to reach the goal to never count yourself out I don't care if you're down 21 points you have opportunity you have breath in your lung and you serve a God that is able to do all things maybe that's where the disconnect is that we count ourselves out well how about this if you're going to do that at least allow to get you to the place of complete dependence on the one who can and then maybe your strategy will change you'll come out the second half on fire and make an adjustment and start to get back and game momentum and pick up to rhyme to the fourth quarter on top amen half time get your oranges get your water time to regroup evaluate first half assess things working on the things that need change I don't know if you guys just heard what I said working on the things that need change did you did you hear the all scripture is God breed showing us truth exposing our rebellion correct in our mistakes guys that that's what the words doin that's for us to readjust let's to look at some of the things we did I'm a firm believer that you always learn what to do or what not to do so if you learn what not to do guess what change it learn what to do change your strategy after you do it all right we're moving we're doing you guys all right so we got to take that time to pause take a moment to breathe all right let me catch back up where you at go past that I'll get to that later next line this is when all the this is when you hear the boom third down oh jangle the keys get ready get hype this is this is a this is the third down situations guys you need to convert on third down you hear what I said the whole cost the goal is to convert on third down we're still in second down and I'm gonna flag on me yeah there it is come on we're advancing you're excited about that give yourself a cut come on some of your some people like no third down means you didn't get first down a second down third down is responding to challenges on third down teams face crucial moments where decisions must be executed well must be executed well the clock is ticking every choice matters see as the game progresses guys the pressure increases amen responding effectively to challenges requires careful decision making and perseverance because this is where we got a we got a focus all right we got a we got a calm the crowd calm the chatter calm the things down and respond well this point it's loud it's there's a lot going on I get it like I said you feel like you're back against the wall dependent on the situation circumstance but you still have opportunity to advance and respond well third down is not to give up third down is to buckle down stay focused on the goal you've got to keep going you got to keep moving come on guys we got to win the days so God show me I was that another one that used football game the other day and I was I just I'm sitting there and I'm watching I'm watching a chains move and I'm watching this stuff and and the focus has to be on that game you're in the middle of it how can you even think about anything else you have to stay focused and when today next week's gonna come great but when today stay focused stay aligned maybe that's the only word that someone takes today but stay focused and when today win this game James one one chapter one verse two and four says consider it sheer gift friends when test and challenges come at you from all sides you know that under pressure your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors it's gonna take a minute and let that one sink right there it shows its true colors so don't try to get out of anything prematurely let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed not deficient in any way let it do its work say let it do its work this is where I believe shows where your focus really is that as a believer I really believe this because we're good when we're on first down and we got wide open options right we can call anything but when it comes down to third down you got to make a strategic decision to advance to reach the goal this is where it takes perseverance this is really where it takes for you to dig in and not give up and say I'm gonna handle the pressure handle under pressure and make a wise choice make the right decision with the goal in mind don't give up scripture says this shows where you're really at our third down moments involve significant trials where perseverance is essential trusting God's strength and continue pursuing your purpose despite obstacles cause it let's let's not let's a lot let down what God's called us to do just because things get a little challenging we drop we drop the ball to pick up something else some just some some take the handoff and run the wrong way like what if we begin to realize that our purpose is the most important thing in the day and when we wake and open our eyes it ain't about getting to I was gonna say target we don't have a target it ain't about getting there as soon as it opens it ain't about here I'm gonna really challenge you it ain't about getting your coffee first and then you can talk to somebody what if on the way to get in your coffee God has you to respond but you're like not yet I need my coffee first how about you need your Jesus first to know your identity to get and do what you're gonna do for that day regardless of what you get I get two claps it's alright I'm mad at you I'm gonna go to this side though cuz I want y'all to wake up how about we fulfill our purpose every day when we wake up we say God yes I'm coming after what you have today you're my strength I know you're gonna carry me through I know that no matter what I have you and I'm gonna walk this thing out and finish today on top I'm getting excited myself to persevere and involve remaining steadfast in faith and relying on God's strength critical time to demonstrate commitment to your purpose critical time to demonstrate commitment to your purpose y'all remember the a couple weeks ago maybe as a month ago when it was but commitment births miracles I believe that I believe that us committing to what God has given us he's gonna make the way he's gonna make the miracles happen if we will stay committed so my Bible example is Joe everyone likes to talk about what jobs been through but Joe persevered amen through intense suffering showcase how faith can sustain us during critical challenges guys we have all the examples in the word that's why it's our X factor that's why it's gonna help us in any situation that's how it's gonna help us get through and maintain and what we need to learn how to do in this time to in our time management is learn when to call time out guys I don't know if you know this or not but you have time out and because of Jesus you have unlimited timeouts and it is nothing wrong with taking the time out reflecting regrouping get some guidance right you're in the game you're going at it your touch it's it's going there you have people I don't know if you know you got people all kinds of coaches up there that's watching the field watching the game seeing what's going on seeing what they've been responding to see what they're doing that's that's who's up there and we can pause and say God need some help in this situation I need so I need you to help me give me some guidance right now show me you're seeing everything that's happening show me so I can make a wise choice a wise decision so I can advance today because God the thing you have is the most important thing and I'm getting it across that line so help me take a pause call a timeout regroup it's third down you live you live another down let's learn to respond to challenges with wisdom and perseverance we got to use what we study guys they know you know I never went into a locker room and sat down and watched film for no reason you use what you study the only reason you're in there is to try to figure out how to navigate against your opponent well everyone likes talk about their opponent well guess what you have the playbook you actually have their playbook God showing you how to do it all right y'all we're getting there this is when it's about to get real this one I'm worried about I couldn't get this one to work I found this I'll tell you I was driving home and this was in it was laying outside this is this is refurbished y'all I took the screws out I'm trying to work on the yesterday but yeah I was like yes I'm picking that up and I bring him a life like what are you gonna do with that I don't know I'm gonna put him on the end capes someday get there come on hey I'm in standing up we're on fourth down yeah decisive actions and knowing when to punt see on fourth down teams must decide whether to risk a play or punt it's a moment for bold decisions and strategic thinking you guys see like in a couple of these downs it's strategic let's let's focus guys see our day winning our day takes focus it takes a really thinking because as soon as you soon as you pause from thinking and and focused on advancing and achieving your goal you get distracted let's not let distractions come in let's stay focused and it says knowing when to punt and play defense is crucial for managing the game's outcome effectively in the final moments of the game making bold decisions is essential however knowing when to punt sometimes is wiser to play defense and protect your position it's equally important as this is I hope you hear my heart today I hope you leave with this with the understanding that the goal is to win the day there is nothing wrong with punting sometimes amen if you were like me when I was young I always went on for fourth down I always lost too but see it's important to understand when it's time to punt when it's time to take a rest when it's time to set back and play defense that's okay that's not weakness it's strategy sometimes that's the best thing to do because you might be on a day where your defense is better in your offense and that's that's okay be aware and learn when that day is learn when that situation is like hey I need to punt on that thing right now I need to just set back and let it let it rest me and Fred like to play it this way when we're talking about stuff we say he'll just say let's sleep on it that's that's pointed away and let's give it some time that's like God begin to work give us guidance give us wisdom how to respond how to do things right we're not done it might be fourth down but we're not done amen we have a choice to make and when we're focused about advancing to end to get to the end to the goal we will do whatever it takes and sometimes it's best to not give up your ground not give up your position and just punt it so our fourth down represents moments requiring bold obedience and strategic action it's crucial to discern when to take risk and when to play it safe relying on guides guidance listen your guidance let me just help you real quick your guidance is going to have you taking risk when you should punt and punt when you should take the risk if you got momentum going and you get down and it's it's fourth in one and you've been and you got a powerhouse powerhouse backfield and you don't need a yard and you listen and the day's running out you better take a risk you better go for it some people are punting and letting the game game in losing when you had one yard again and you just didn't have enough left in the tank to push in to believe in yourself see guys this is this is challenging because it's I'm giving you both want you to realize there's times upon there's times to take risk but we find all of that in the word all of it it's our X factor it shows us it teaches us it's where we get our strength that's how we know how to advance and keep moving we're back in the film room so we study to understand when risk or work taking we must study scripture to discern when God is calling us to bold action and when it's time to step back and regroup see in football teams might take a high-risk play on fourth down or decide to punt make bold decisions when called for or protect your progress by stepping back when necessary see Nehemiah knew when to do this when he was when they were rebuilding the wall there was a balanced boldness balanced boldness and strategy continuing the work while setting up defense he knew when to advance and when to protect his progress see guys there's examples of all this throughout our work are you studying your scripture are you looking at the word are you wanting to win the day because it's showing us how to those are the those are the moments that we really evaluate and look at to make the necessary changes we got to win the critical moments with boldness and wisdom go to the next slide timeouts and water breaks we talked about timeouts a little bit because take water breaks rest renewal because said they use timeouts to regroup strategize and rest the water breaks are essential for maintaining performance and focus we have to learn to do these things we we're burning out guys we're just trying to go go go go go go go and I wonder why burn out's happening we're not wondering why we're turning the ball over we're losing ground we're getting behind because we're not taking the necessary time and staying focused on what matters most I already talked about timeouts I'm not gonna spend too much time there but they allow us to review refined strategies and recharge I believe a lot of times because coaches coaches can see so they call timeouts to let their players rest and plan a new strategy I believe sometimes guys calling us to rest and we don't listen I was trying to call time out and say hey you need some rest and we're just like I got this I got this and he's like no we need a new strategy you're not following the original game plan we need a new strategy but you can't hear that if you don't rest and listen to his voice he has the plan to use these breaks get God's guidance we will win Psalms 46 10 says be still and know that I am God why do you think it says that trusting he knows what he's doing he knows the game plan he created it do you trust in church alright well sometimes it requires us to be still and know that he's God so as we face our own fourth quarter moments let us hold up our spiritual four fingers church that's what I want to leave here today with we're ready to embrace the final stretch with faith perseverance and strategic action can you say that with me ready to embrace the final stretch with faith perseverance and strategic action can someone say amen players give their all in the final moments of the game we are called to finish strong in our faith walk fully equipped to fulfill our purpose I want that to be in our encouragement today to manage our time understand situations respond properly wait you can go ahead and come up and get ready to close guys I was talking about punting because it's about playing the long game protecting from unnecessary risk by giving up immediate progress to prevent setbacks do you hear what I said immediate we live in a time where it's now sometimes it requires a step back focus as believers we must recognize when it's time to step back and trust God rather rather than trying to force progress sometimes waiting on the Lord or a treaty to prayer to prayer can protect us from burnout temptation spiritual attacks just like punting a team to defend its field position as you're protecting something I want to say you got a purpose for today you got to protect that you got to advance when it's necessary protect when it's necessary stay focused on the goal this rest in patience allows us to protect our hearts and minds and maintain our integrity would you stand with me today church as as we face our fourth quarter moments in life it's time to hold up our spiritual four fingers reminding ourselves that we are made to last sometimes we need reminders whether it whether it feels long or short whether we're facing a challenge or ready to make bold moves we are equipped for the final push this is where faith hope and love meet the finish on fourth quarter faith finish strong you're made to last say this together as a church fourth quarter faith finish strong you're made to last as every morning we have fresh downs start strong build momentum persevere and finish strong we start strong we finish strong remember Fred Seneca we chose starts with him and it ends with him if we do that we start strong and we finish strong embrace the fourth quarter faith raise your four fingers and win the game of life I talked about that that commitment birth miracles well at the end of that in Joshua chapter 10 I think it's first 26 it says after that was finished he went on and then conquered another conquered another remember what I said guys and after these downs go down there's another down there's another fresh set we got to stay focused we got to win the day we got to win tomorrow we got to stay focused