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Synopsis from atstracts.org

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world! Now, you can use this global sport to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. This tract is brand-new in partnership with Beyond Soccer and ATS and available just in time for the summer.

TRACT TEXT

It’s halftime. The players are huddled around, totally disappointed with the first half. The score is 4-0, though not in our favor. “We’re making mistake after mistake.” The sad eyes that gazed at me, the coach, that day said one thing: Defeat. Everyone on the team was reliving their failures, mentally picturing a slow-motion replay of every mistake. As a coach, I wanted to turn back time, rewind the clock and erase the tapes that they were now playing in their minds. Every coach has been there.

Sound familiar?

Life also offers a mixture of wins and losses, but we must win the most important game, the game of life. The game’s prize: eternal life and a personal relationship with God.

I remember my halftime speech that day.

“The first half belongs to the coach. I take full responsibility for the score. Let me take the blame, and you focus on what you will do in the second half. The other team is known for its fast speed of play. Let’s slow them down! We need to possess the ball more and move the ball up the field. You must win the individual battles. Pass the ball only when you must, and dribble until pressured. Once pressured, I want that player to have options to pass to open players. The first half was mine. This second half belongs to you. Now get out there and win!”

We won that game. I don’t think that it was due to those tactics totally, but rather because they were able to erase the failure so that they could see the hope. After the game, one father asked his daughter what the coach said at halftime. She answered, “The coach became guilty for the first half.”

As I reflect, it reminds me of the story of how God loved man so much that He erased his guilt and defeat by taking the guilt and punishment on Himself. He died on a cross for you. God offers you an empty slate, forgiveness and a second chance in which He will become your personal coach in all you do. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He accepted the guilt and penalty for all of our wrong and offers a new playbook for life.

We must all come to the reality that we will have a final whistle in the game of life. How do we make sure we’re on that winning team?

If you haven’t yet accepted God’s forgiveness, take a moment alone and just say this simple prayer: God, I accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as my Savior. Forgive me for my past sins and help me to live for You in the future. I give You my life and want to live for You. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.

Now don’t stop there. This is only the beginning. He gave us a plan to start us off in the second half. Here are a few kickoff principles and scriptures to begin your second half.Be convinced. Believe that Jesus Christ is the God Almighty, Creator of the universe, who came in the form of man and accepted the penalty of death on behalf of mankind, offering eternal life to all who believe and accept salvation through Him.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Be forgiven. Repent of your wrong. In a single prayer, ask your newfound Savior and friend for His help in becoming the person that He desires for you to become.

He will forgive and erase your past.“The time has come...The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

Be telling others. Confess to others about your newfound relationship with Jesus Christ.“If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Be baptized. As commanded in the Bible, be baptized in obedience to His Word and to identify with His Church.“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38Be taught in the faith. Find a church to attend and be faithful to study, worship and connect with new Christian friends.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely l am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. by Richard A. Daughtridge, Pastor/Soccer Coach

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