The Ultimate Game Plan

The game of basketball continues to grow in popularity all over the world. It has a universal language that everyone speaks. It’s development from the peach basket, to huge arenas. God has truly used the game to teach us about Him. I want to talk about the game and the greatest Head Coach of the Game.

First about playing your position: There are several positions in the game of basketball, guard, forward, center, etc. Then you have the most critical position of all which is the Head Coach. Now a coach will tell you what position you play.

Here are some things God says about us when He puts us in our position in Jesus Christ

  1. You are a totally new creation in Christ Jesus 2nd Corinthians 5:17
  2. You have everything that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3
  3. You are loved by God. Ephesians 1:6
  4. You are Forgiven. Mark 2:5, 1st John 1:9
  5. You have eternal life. John 3:15
  6. You are witnesses Luke 24:48
  7. You have the Holy Spirit: 1st Corinthians 6:19

1st Quarter: The Plan Psalm 53:2 “…He looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see there are any who understand, who seek God.”

A coach always has a plan on how to play and win a game. First, He looks at his team to see how they are playing. Next He considers the opposing team with their strengths and weaknesses. Then after looking at the aspects of the game, He comes up with a plan. God has done the same things he has looked at us very closely. He wants us on His team, to follow His game plan, and to win by knowing, loving, and enjoying Him forever.

Time-out: If you trust God and His game plan through repentance, you are assured of eternal life and
victory! This is because of what God has already done for you through His Son Jesus Christ.

2nd Quarter can’t do it alone Ephesians 2:8-9 “you are saved by grace through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, lest any man should boast.”

Basketball is a team game, but many players try to win games all on their own. The pride and selfishness hurt them and the team. So, the head coach has to teach all the players how to play the game and follow the game plan. It’s the same thing in life. People try to win in life and reach God in their own efforts. Isaiah 14:13, Romans 10:6 I will, and who will ascend into heaven. But our good efforts do not follow or measure up to God’s plan. Only God has a strategy to overcome our
weaknesses and limitations. And the big problem we face is the problem of sin. “All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Time Out: Are you willing to trust God and His Son completely by faith and turn from your sin which keeps you from being a winner.

3rd Quarter The Substitute “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life so that we would be justified.” Romans 4:25

During any game, things can go wrong. A player may be shooting or passing badly. The team on the
court might not be working together as a unit. When those things start to go wrong the head coach
needs to do something to help. What typically does He do? He brings in a substitute to help. Not any
substitute, the right substitute at the right time. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Time out: God cared about us so much that He sent His son to die in our place so, that we could win in this life and more importantly in the life to come.

4th Quarter: Crunch Time

A good head coach has a good game plan that goes all the way down to the final second and the very last shot. The expert player needs to do more than just know the coach’s game plan. The smart player has to trust the coach completely and follow his game plan even when the whole thing seems impossible and doesn’t make any sense. So the question I have for you this day is are you going to trust God’s game plan? Will you decide to follow his plan, believing and having faith in what Jesus did, is doing, and will complete based on the finished work of the Cross?

“But as many received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12

“ Your sins have separated you from God.” Isaiah 59:2

There it is. Every team needs a good head coach to help them win the game. The plain fact is we are going to lose in the game of life if we don’t follow the head coach’s game plan. As a player do not be anointed by a world obsessed with putting people on a pedestal. Why? Because no man was made to be put on a pedestal. The spot was reserved from beginning of time for one, Just and True (Jesus Christ The Righteous). No player can carry the weight of glory, nor is he supposed to. We are but children of the one who carries that weight (Jesus bore our sins and our burdens). As a player, refuse to play for acceptance because “Excellence” is your Head Coach. God is personally and deeply concerned about you. Are you convinced you have eternal life? This is eternal life, that you may know, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” Isaiah 55:6 If not, you need another game plan.