4th Quarter

The last message in the sermon series “Game Plan” was this past weekend at First United Methodist Church Waco. The message is titled “4th Quarter”. To win in the last minutes of any game, the team must make it happen and there’s usually one person the team looks to. It may be the quarterback leading the team on the last drive to a winning touchdown for a football team or the sure shooter to make the winning basket for a basketball team.

In life, Christ is the one we turn to for victory. Our job is to follow Christ to victory and go into the world to invite others to join the team so they can see just how powerful the Good News can be in the life of those that follow Him.

The Baylor Lady Bear basketball team came to the 10:50 service. The sermon message and a pep talk video from their coach Kim Mulkey that drove them to the undefeated record and the national championship is at this link. Click on the 4th Quarter Podcast to see the pep talk. It was about unfinished business and as Christ followers, we have unfinished business as pointed out in the outline below. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. YOUR MINISTRY IS IN THE CHURCH AND YOUR MISSION IS IN THE WORLD.

“As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” – John 17:18 (NLT)

Pray often for God to show you the plan for your life in your home, at work, and in your community.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,..” – John 15:16 (NLT)

The fruit we share is our life story and it’s Good News that last forever.

2. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND INVITE

“Jesus said, ‘Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people’” – Matthew 4:19 (NCV)
“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Team them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (NCV)

3. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND TELL

“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” – Mark 16:15 (NLT)

God cares about everyone and He offers Good News we can share with them.

“While I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:4 (NLT)

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” – Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

People will know who Christ is through us. We reflect God’s light throughout the world. He has placed us where we are for his strategic purpose.

4. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND LOVE

“In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.” – Luke 15:7 (NLT)

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

We help connect the dots between people and God. People can always be loved to that place of grace.

5. YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS GO AND SHOW

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 NIV)

“And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…” – Colossians 3:17a (NLT)

If you do not feel you are growing in faith, begin to share your faith and you will grow more than you ever have before.

Feel free to use this outline and message to study or share with others. There is also a Podcast of all sermons at First United Methodist Church Waco Podcast.

I found this video that brings out some of the main points in the message and I hope it will inspire your day as much as it has mine: My Savior My God – Aaron Shust. God Bless 🙂