Favour Follows the FightSample

WHEN I AM WINNING

Are you in the middle of a fight? FAVOUR follows the fight! Today God wants you to know that YOU. ARE. A. WINNER! But how do we KEEP WINNING? This is the promise that we have learnt from the life of King David.

David goes on after this to defeat 31 kings and kingdoms as the WARRIOR KING! David sets up a legacy for the people of God to come up out from under the shadow of oppression and exile. He raised an army of people who were feared, showed them how to be fearless, powerful and mighty. This is how the BIBLE speaks about the VICTORIOUS PEOPLE of GOD…YOU!

IF WINNING is our PROMISE, there is a nagging question that begs an answer: IF the VICTORY is GUARANTEED, HOW does a WINNER live their life like a CHAMPION?!

The Three Challenges of a Champion:

1. Complacency

We are only where we are because of the great work we have done and it will take a growing level of great work to see us keep winning in the future. Let’s not grow complacent! There are kings to defeat and battles to win, are you ready for what’s next?!

2. Coasting

A rising tide lifts all ships. Even if you aren’t doing well, it will appear as though you are if you’re in a healthy culture and a growing organisation.

3. Comparison

When we are WINNING we need to make sure that we use our internal expectations and goals to measure our progress and NOT the success or failures of our friends or competition.

If we can master these 3 challenges of a champion...we are ready to make the 3 Commitments of a champion.

The Three Commitments of a Champion:

Winners know that GOLIATH is just the BEGINNING as King David goes on to defeat 31 kings from 31 kingdoms. If there are VICTORIES to BE WON then there are BATTLES to be FOUGHT! What are the three commitments which KEEP WINNERS WINNING?

1. Rest

Winning costs us something. So to keep winning we need to keep our account full. The biggest account drawn down upon in our spiritual battles is our EMOTIONAL account, so we need to keep it topped up by staying physically healthy, spending time with God and spending time with people who FILL our account.

2. Reflect

What have you done in the past that has meant you are winning today? Have you been immersed in a faith-filled church community? Have you been gathering with your life group, sharing your story and encouraging others? Have you been serving on a team, playing a part in something bigger than yourself? Have you been stepping up and saying YES to new Kingdom First leadership opportunities, like leading a team or leading a life group? When we reflect on the things which have helped us win in the past, we are empowered to keep doing the things which will keep us winning in the future.

3. Repeat

You are winning TODAY because you have been applying these KINGDOM principles in the past! So keep them up!

“I’ll win because of the positive habits I’ve developed, and because of the consistency I use in applying those habits.” - The Compound Effect, Darren Hardy.

Faithfulness and consistency COMPOUND!!!

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you reflect on a time in your life when you faced a battle and then came out victorious?

2. Which habits, disciplines or strategies have been most effective in helping you win your battles in the past?

3. Which of the 3 challenges of a champion (Complacency, Coasting, Comparison) do you find the most difficult to overcome? How can you strengthen yourself to face that challenge in the future?