Pastor Mike brought the inspiring, thought provoking final part of his three part series called "Winning". This final message was entitled “ Time to Celebrate". So that we may be doers of the Word and not hearers only let's remember the key points of that message.

A incredible amount of effort goes into training to be an Olympian! To be an Olympian, it takes thousands of hours of work! In fact, Malcolm Gladwell (author of the Outliers) says to become a master at your craft, it takes at least 10,000 hours!

Gladwell also mentions the entourage effect- that not only does the time you put into it but also the type of people your around have an effect on the level of your success!

To be successful it takes a person who is motivated, driven, hardworking, strong work ethic, has the ability to set and achieve goals.

Athletes sacrifice time, pleasure, food, entertainment and sleep just to name a few things.

There’s no victory without sacrifice. But victory brings euphoria!! There’s nothing like it, especially when you’ve sacrificed for it! Wherever you are, sacrifice is involved to move you to the next level!

Sacrifices starts where you are. Sacrifice isn’t about comparison. It’s about where you are now and how to get to the next level.

People who active at a higher level do things the average person doesn’t do. They make sacrifices the average person doesn’t make.

When you’re interested in something you do it only when is convenient, but when you’re committed you accept no excuses only results.

God is calling us to live a life of sacrifice. Our life is not our own!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1 NKJV

Sacrifice to God is your reasonable service, because Jesus modeled sacrifice for us and gave His life in doing so. A life of sacrifice is everyday focused on Him! It is everyday giving of your time, treasure, talent, resources, prayer and obedience to Him.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

I Corinthians 9:24-25 NKJV

We should strive to live a as life of sacrifice because we are running a race to win a crown that is imperishable! As long as we're focused on other things and not seeking God first we're will never be satisfied.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”

Luke 15:4 NKJV

Each one of us is precious to God! He loves us so no much He doesn't give up! He doesn't want any to perish! The lost sheep was found because someone was searching for them and didn't give up.

We need to be committed to God's agenda. Committed to advancing His kingdom.

I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.”

Psalms 26:5 NKJV

The one who sacrifices is the one who get to celebrate. The rest will be on the sidelines watching.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”

Matthew 19:29 NKJV