1. Audience of One Who or What do I Worship? Idol Worship - Then and Now

2. We all put our faith and trust in something –The question is what do we put our faith and trust in? Mathematical Equation Faith + Work (Career) = What is worship? –Our heart’s response to what we value most. What is God’s intention for sport? –…for our careers? Worship

3. Col. 1:16 Paul said… “For by him, all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities – all things were created by him and for Him.” –Does that include sports? …our careers? …Your practice? The struggle is that we live this out as… –By him and for me. –Everything’s about me.

4. Tiger Woods once said… –“Golf is Tiger Woods and Tiger Woods is golf.” Tiger is saying it’s all about him. He’s loves golf, His identity is wrapped up in this little sport of chasing this white ball around and trying to get it into a hole. –That’s how he defines his life. Tiger is saying, “That’s who I am.”

5. Common Attitude My sport/career defines who I am, that’s what I’m all about. –It’s okay to love success, but when it crosses the line to where my heart’s affection is wrapped around my job, my identity, my well-being, my attitude; –Where all that depends on my performance... − Now it’s turned into an idol… and I’m in trouble.

6. Three Characteristics of idols: (1 st Kings 18:20-40 Elijah & the Prophets of Baal) –Idols are silent –Idols are powerless –Idols can lead to destructive behavior.

7. Extreme Pressure (from coaches, athletes, family, administrators, fans, etc.) Recipe for disaster: + Powerful Influence (position, role within the team, popularity, etc.) + Passion to win at all costs (Winning is everything.) = Worshipping your service to sport and patients. (Idolatry)

8. Does anybody remember the first 2 of the Ten Commandments? − No other gods before me. – No graven images (idols you bow down to)

9. God wants to be our Audience of One. –He wants us to live our lives, our careers, with him in mind, unto Him…He is our audience. –No matter if you work for the Super Bowl or NCAA Champions in front of tens of thousands, or a small high school team in front of a few hundred… –God is the only one who matters.

10. Col. 3:23 –“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Whatever you do, bring your whole life unto God. –Your sport, job, career, relationships, etc. But be careful… –Not to do the stuff for God but with God –Do you see the relationship aspect here?

11. Col 1:29 –“To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy which so powerfully works in me.” –Paul says, I work hard. I struggle with all my energy. I labor. I sweat. I work. –So when you’re stuck, Figuring out an injury… Making a return to play decision… Debating a decision with a coach or athlete…

12. Weight Room Illustration –Spotter helps you lift the rep. –Who’s working at that moment? You both are. You’re laboring, you’re sweating, you’re working, you’re pushing. But they’re helping as well. They’re giving you their strength to help you finish the rep.

13. Incomplete picture −God gives you the strength to do the first rep before the spotter ever comes. God gives you the breath in your lungs, the muscle in your body before the spotter ever came. −God living in you, the Holy Spirit gives you the strength to do everything you do. −You labor, but you labor with His power in you. −God is at work in you for HIS GLORY… −“By Him and For Him For His Glory.”

14. Col. 3:17 –“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” –Doing things with a thankful heart is the key to our attitude. You can thank God with your career, that’s how work (career) turns into worship. Faith + Work (Career) = Worship.

15. As we give thanks to God through our effort, our energy, our attitude, our response, how we deal with patients, with coaches…all that can be a thankful response to God. Living life with a thankful heart. Do you see what this guy is doing? Is this guy competing or worshiping? –Is he just finishing a competition or is he worshipping God? − It’s both! He is finishing his race, giving all he’s got and he’s worshipping God at the same time. Giving thanks with all his effort, and running that race as unto God.

16. Worship Song: by definition is a song that expresses what is in people’s hearts. How is your life a Worship Song? How is your work (service) a Worship Song? Would others describe your song as thankful worship or… ? Evaluation

17. Application Minister to patients who have had their joy taken away through injury. You have to heal the heart before you can heal the knee. When you’re kneeling before someone’s ankle to examine it… –you’re also kneeling before God, presenting your skills, your knowledge, your service to the King!

18. That’s what all of these verses are talking about. –Worshipping God as you work and serve others –By God, with God, and with a thankful heart. Let’s pray… –wisdom in our discussions. –That God’s glory would shine through their work. That they would reflect your glory to their patients and colleagues.

19. Work as Worship Video…

20. Audience of One Who or What do I Worship? 651 Taylor Drive Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 352-1000 www.aiasportsperformance.org sportsperformance@athletesinaction.org