Underdog’s Playbook Bumper

Underdog’s Playbook Title

You are welcome here at Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I welcome you in the room and those who found us online.

We are in the 4th week of our message series – The Underdog’s playbook.

We have been giving you strategies that you can use to go from underdog to champion.

I am excited to tell you about our strategy today… but first…

I’ll Start Tomorrow

I have said “I’ll start tomorrow,” WAY TOO OFTEN. 

“I’ll get up early tomorrow” – SNOOZE 

I know how to wait, hesitate, procrastinate, and stagnate! 

I wait for the perfect moment… 

But here’s the problem the perfect moment is always somewhere in the future…
…Now is never the perfect moment.

Ya’ll help me… Am I the only one who deals with this?

We live in a culture of hesitation.  

I’ll Start Tomorrow

This is a real problem for us…
…Real problem for our kids, grandkids
…Real problem for our Church and community.

A problem for our…

If only there was an answer… a strategy…

I want to turn your attention to SCRIPTURE… 1 Samuel 17:48

Sometimes Scripture says something so small… but it can hold HUGE results.

(1 Samuel 17:48)

Today I want to talk to you about the… Underdog strategy #4
All Gas! No Brakes! Start NOW!

David reveals a major strategy…

David pressed… pushed…
full-court pressed… blitzed

Where did David learn that? Before the battle with Goliath…

David pushed…

Scripture teaches us to wait.

Scripture also teaches us to NOT wait.

We have to learn the wisdom of when to wait… and when NOT to wait.

…When to be still and when to PRESS!

When it was the right time, David didn’t wait – he moved quickly!  

All gas. No brakes.  

What if we lived like that?

We can.  

The Underdog Strategy #4: Stop Hesitating & Start Now  

1. Run Toward the Battle

David didn’t just show up—he moved forward.

Saul’s army stood still for 40 days. (1 Samuel 17:16)

David showed up and ran toward the fight. (1 Samuel 17:48)

Fight or Flight…
Wrong picture – Entrench yourself defensively or run away scared…

The other option is an all-out pursuit toward the fight.

Do This: What’s one thing you’ve been delaying? Decide today to run toward the battle.

What would it look like if you made progress? Isn’t that worth the effort?

2. Press Before the Battle 

How can you press BEFORE the battle?
Isn’t the battle where we press?

David’s victory over Goliath didn’t start on the battlefield – it started in the pasture.  

David wasn’t lucky – he was ready.  

Do This: Stop waiting for your big moment -prepare now. Champions don’t wait until the battle to get ready.  

What does that look like for you?
What is your pre-battle preparation?

3. Enough Talk – Take Action  

David talks in the story…

-Talks to brothers and soldiers.
-Talks to King Saul
-Talks to Goliath and declares victory…

This is the point where many of us stop or hesitate… We do little more than talk sometimes…

David says this…
(1 Samuel 17:47, NIV)

-Then David declared 40 days of prayer and fasting to know God’s will…
-Then David made a vision board and invited a committee to talk about procedural efforts on the military front.
-The David proceeded to quote every scripture and Chris Tomlin song he knew.

NO…Then David does this…  

(1 Samuel 17:48, NIV) 

David didn’t wait for more signs, more confirmation, or a better moment—he moved.  

An Angel did not need to touch him on the shoulder…

He did not look around for permission.

There is a moment where we don’t need to talk, read, hear another sermon, or even pray… BUT ACT!

Some of us talk, but never take action.  

-“I know I need to forgive them.” But you never call.  

-“I know I need to get healthier.” But you never act.  

-“I know God is calling me to serve.” But you never step up – NEXT STEPS  

DO THIS: Stop overanalyzing, stop making excuses – it’s time to act.  

The best time to act is now.
When God speaks to you… the easiest time to obey is NOW.

ANY DELAY makes action more difficult and more unlikely.

In this room… I have seen God move upon hearts…

In this room… I have also seen hesitation…

The Underdog Strategy #4: Stop Hesitating & Start Now  

1. Run Toward the Battle
2. Press Before the Battle
3. Enough Talk – Take Action  

David ran at Goliath without hesitation – and history is filled with people who did the same.  

Who am I talking about?

She was fired from her first TV job, told she wasn’t “fit for television.” She kept pushing. Today, she’s a billionaire media mogul. 

Oprah Winfrey 

He failed multiple times with his business start ups. Some of his failures were actual explosions that cost millions… But he never stopped. He remained HYPER FOCUSED and now he’s changed the world of electric cars and space travel.

Elon Musk  

Cut from his high school basketball team. Instead of quitting, he practiced harder than anyone else—and became the greatest of all time. 

Michael Jordan 

After dozens of rejections, he threw his manuscript in the trash. His wife pulled it out and told him not to give up. He kept going. Today, he’s one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Stephen King  

What do they all have in common? 

They didn’t wait – they ran toward the battle.  

Some of you are waiting… 

-Waiting to take the first step.  

-Waiting for confidence.  

-Waiting** for the perfect conditions.  

But Jesus didn’t wait.  

(John 9:4, NIV)  

Jesus knew His time was limited. And so is ours.  

Jesus expects ACTION.

When He says FOLLOW ME – people throw down their nets and follow him!

It’s time to stop hesitating and START NOW.

IMAGINE 

-If we stopped hesitating and started acting. 

-If we pushed past negativity and prepared like champions.  

-If we ran toward opportunities instead of running away.  

David didn’t wait.  

Jesus didn’t wait.  

And YOU don’t have to wait.  

All gas. No brakes. Start NOW.

ACT NOW

1. Make One Decision Today  

Don’t over think… Don’t delay… 

2. Remove One Distraction  

Negativity, fear, and doubt keep us stuck.  

3. Act Now  

How will you act now?