Underdog’s Playbook – 6 – Killer Instinct. Permission to Slay

https://youtu.be/6mb0jwu5DoM?si=fOWAcbVkAOHGaMtV Underdog’s Playbook Bumper Underdog’s Playbook Title Hello & Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am sure glad you are here! We are in the 6th week of our message series – The Underdog’s playbook. Killer Instinct: Permission to Slay Have you ever thought you had a problem beat, only for it to come back stronger? I have… I finally paid off some debt—but then another bill hit from my BAD SPENDING. I started eating healthy—but then one bad weekend turned into a bad month. I forgave someone—but the bitterness crept back in. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?I thought the battle was over, but now I’m facing the same giant again. David didn’t make that mistake. He didn’t just knock Goliath down—he took the sword and finished him off.Because if he didn’t, Goliath may have gotten back up. WHAT IF WE WON TODAY & NEVER HAD TO FACE THAT GIANT AGAIN? We need a killer instinct to finish the fight—to once and for all slay the giants that keep coming back. We live in a culture of temporary solutions. 40% of people who lose weight gain it back within a year. (National Institute of Health) 78% of NFL players go bankrupt within three years of retirement. (Sports Illustrated) 95% of people who struggle with addiction relapse at least once. (National Institute on Drug Abuse) 67% of released prisoners end up back in jail within three years. (Department of Justice) The problem? We confuse progress with a completed work.-We think the battle is over, so we let our guard down.  -We celebrate too soon, ease up, and before we know it—the giant rises again. We delete the toxic number but answer the call when they text. We quit the habit but keep the temptation nearby “just in case.” We pray for breakthrough but refuse to change our behavior. David didn’t just fight Goliath—he finished him. (1 Samuel 17:51, NIV) David had a killer instinct—he didn’t stop until the enemy was fully defeated. So today, I want to ask: What’s the giant in your life that you keep letting get back up? I want to give you an underdog strategy… Underdog Strategy #6: How to Have Killer Instinct in Your Life 1. Stop Settling for “Almost” Victory David didn’t walk away after the stone hit Goliath…-Did NOT take victory lap.-Didn’t post an Instagram selfie. #slay #stayhumbleandhustle #BUTFIRSTCOFFEE David ran toward his giant to make sure the fight was finished. Too many of us settle for almost victory. Almost healed. Almost free. Almost changed. Almost conversation… Almost made a move to the altar… But almost isn’t victory. Action step: Don’t stop at progress—fight for complete victory. Make specific goals and do not stop until they are met!Don’t settle, grab the victory. 2. Take the Enemy’s Sword and Use It David didn’t even have a sword—so he used Goliath’s own weapon against him. What the enemy meant for harm, God turned into victory. The thing that was once used to intimidate you is now your testimony. Later in David’s life he would be on the run from angry King Saul. David would say to a priest… do you have any weapons I could use? (1 Samual 21:9, NIV) The victory you have today, may arm you in future battles. Action step: Use your past pain as a weapon to fight current battles & help others. You have some past victories.You have some testimonies!You have some lessons learned & skills acquired!ARM YOURSELF! You should be stronger today.  3. Once It’s Dead, Walk Away David cut off Goliath’s head and never had to fight him again. Some of us defeat a giant but don’t leave the battlefield. We still entertain the temptation. We still keep the option open. We still look back. We stay in contact. We keep the same habits. David did not keep his giant around… Neither did Jesus… Jesus didn’t almost defeat sin—he crushed it, once and for all. He says this on the cross… (John 19:30, NIV) COME CELEBRATE EASTER – April 20 Jesus did not almost defeat your sin, shame, guilt, death, hell, grave… He finished it! Action step: Burn the bridge to your past struggle. Make it impossible to go back. Be changed forever. Transformation. -Repent and be prayed for.-Be baptized and wash your past away.-Have an experience with God’s Spirit that changes you forever! Underdog Strategy #6: How to Have Killer Instinct in Your Life 1. Stop Settling for “Almost” Victory2. Take the Enemy’s Sword and Use It3. Once It’s Dead, Walk Away What’s the giant that you keep letting get back up? Debt?Bitterness?Addiction?Unhealthy relationships?Spiritual inconsistency? You have permission to slay it today. Not next week.Not eventually.Today. Finish it 1. Identify the Giant That Needs to Die It’s time to call it out and stop pretending it’s not a big deal. Write it down. Name it. Acknowledge it. 2. Take a Bold Step to Kill It Cut it off. Delete the number. Confess the sin. Make the change.Make a goal and be accountable. Do one thing that makes it impossible for the giant to come back. 3. Use Your Victory to Help Someone Else David didn’t just win for himself—he won for Israel. Mom & Dad – Your battle is for your kids. Show your kids how to finish a fight. Share your story. Encourage someone. Help them fight their battle. 4. Fight Now – Pray & Worship