Hello Everyone,

Not only will going out of bounds make you lose the game, but PENALTIES & TURNOVERS: Hindrances

Galatians 5:7 KJV
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Our boundaries are the Commandments of the Lord, but those who violate those boundaries/commandments will be penalized.

I have watched football games where the ball was kicked off and the receiving team caught it and ran downfield for a touchdown, only to have it called back because of a holding penalty.

They had to start over.
All of the blocking, running, and points scored were for nothing.
Someone broke a rule.

That’s like where Paul said, (1 Corinthians 9:26) “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.”

What is Paul saying here?
He is saying I am not running this race like a man who is shadow boxing.

You might work up a sweat and wear yourself out, but you are going nowhere.
It is not enough to begin strong, but we must end strong.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

How many times have you watched a game and saw it end with a turnover?
Last Saturday as the Tigers played the Terrapins, the chance of winning for the Terrapins fleeted away because of a turnover.

Although turnovers can seem fatal, they are not final.

Simon Peter had an overwhelming turnover when he denied Christ.
He lost all hope and returned back to his old profession, fishing.
He thought that he was through and he would never have another opportunity to get in the game.
Even though we may be penalized at times and may even experience a turnover, we are not out of the game.

Simon Peter got back in the game and became a great voice for the Lord and he finished strong.

As long as there is still time on the clock, we can get in the game.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil