In the movie Pearl Harbor, there is a scene in which Rafe (played by Ben Affeck) says to an English officer: “I’m not anxious to die sir, just anxious to matter.”

In tug of war, the team that is able to pull the other team over their side wins.

           Each member must pull with his or her strength and body weight.

           We are all different - some stronger, some weaker; some big some little;

                      but all must put their strength and weight in.

It doesn’t matter whether your contribution is big or small, if you really want to win, everyone matters.

                      And you have to stay on it together.

You matter to God.

           He cares so much about you, He values your time and effort.

                      He wants you to know that your life matters.

           You have God given gifts and abilities that help this body grow.

                      He wants you to know, that whatever you do for him, He values it.

           The Bible says that if you give someone a cup of water in the name of Jesus, He knows about it.

The Greeks had a race in the Olympic games that was unique.

           The winner was not the runner who finished first.

                      It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit.

           Our Goal as followers is to keep the torch lit.

For some the flame has been flickering for some time, but Jesus asks us to stay the course, don’t quench the work of God in you.

           He has asked you to make a difference.

A man was walking along the shoreline and noticed down on the beach there was a man throwing star fish out into the ocean.

           The high tides had brought hundreds of starfish up onto shore and they were helpless.

           The man kept picking up one after another and throwing them back out to the sea.

I asked the man why he was doing that? “You can’t possible make a difference. You can’t save them all you know?”

As he threw another one out, he looked at me and with these words he said “I saved that one, it made a difference to that one.”

What will you contribute to this church over the next year?

           How will you influence the lives of those around you?

           You may be hurt.

                      But let me ask this.

Does knowing that your involvement makes a difference, make you want to play even though you’re hurt?

2. Real followers Play hurt because it’s about something bigger than themselves.

Someone has said, there is no limit to what can be accomplished, if you don’t care who gets the credit.

           Coming home from his Little League game, Billy swung open the front door very excited.

                      His father wanted to know what happened. “So, how did you do son?” he asked.

                      “You’ll never believe it!” Billy said. “I was responsible for the winning run!”

                      “Really? How’d you do that?”

                      “I dropped the ball.”

When real followers drop the ball the kingdom of God suffers.

           We drop the ball when we fail to see the big picture.

                      When we fail to see the purpose of the church:

                                 To evangelize & baptize

                                 To teach & mature the saved

           We drop the ball when we fail to see our part in the larger picture.

                      When we fail to see our purpose.

When a Scotsman demonstrated the new game of golf to President Ulysses Grant, he carefully placed the ball on the tee and took a swing.

The club hit the ground and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard, and surrounding vicinity, while the ball waited on the tee.

           Again the Scotsman swung, and again he missed.

Our President waited patiently through six tries, and then stated, “There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball.”

Some of you are running around getting involved in everything, except that which God has asked you to do.

Real followers keep their eyes on Jesus and their ear tuned to his voice.

While they contribute, Real followers know that they are only part of the plan.

                      They see the value of the team.

                      They understand there is a job of everyone, and are grateful for everyone’s contribution.

What’s bigger than us?

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear.


3. Real followers play hurt because they love the Lord.

At the end of the day, real followers have to stand up, look Jesus in the eyes and be able to say “I gave it my all!”

Randy Moss, a receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, says that he plays whenever he wants.

           And if he doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t try very hard at all.

With an attitude like that it won’t be long before nobody wants him to play, and he won’t get the option.

                      Actually, he was traded to Oakland in 2005. I wonder why?

Real followers are not in it for themselves.

           There may be some who try to use the church to strengthen their business contacts,

                      or gain political support.

           But real followers can be identified, because of their burning love for the Lord in their hearts.

When the patriots coach, Tom Brady, announced that a 2nd year player would start in the super bowl, people were shocked.

Sports reporters were trying to make a big deal about the fact that Drew Bledsoe, who was the teams regular quarterback, would not start.

Both players came out, and said that they were committed to doing whatever it takes, to win the game.

           These guys could have clawed at each other, and made a big scene.

           But the mark of a real champion, is that they love the game so much,

                      they are willing to do what is best for the team.

           Just how much do we love the Lord and His Church?

                      Are we doing what is best for the church or what is best for us?

Tony Gwynn has been one of the best hitters in major league baseball.

           Gwynn has hit .300 or better in 17 major league seasons.

           He’s won 8 league batting titles.

           He has collected more than 17,000 hits.

           What the secret of his success?

                      It’s not a secret to the people who watch him work every day.

           Gwynn says, “There’s got to be a passion for it, a love for the game. And I still love it.”

San Diego Padres General Manager, Kevin Towers said, “I think the key thing is his passion for the game, a passion for what you do. Never take anything for granted, keep trying to hone your skills and be better… that’s what Tony Gwynn is all about.”

Do you have a passion for the Lord, for the Church?

           If you have a passion for the Lord, for the Church, you won’t quit because you’re hurt!

Lou Gehrig played first base from 1925 to 1939, 15 years for the New York Yankees.
           Lou played first base.

He had a lifetime batting average of .340, he hit 493 home runs.
Lou Gehrig had home runs in seven world series games.

Lou played 2,130 straight games without missing one game.
Lou’s record stood until 1995 when Carl Ripken, Jr. broke his record.

           When Lou retired they x-rayed his hands.

Every finger had been broken at least once, some twice, and some three breaks in one finger.

           Lou played and never missed a game, Lou knew how to PLAY HURT!