1 – Today we will discuss ironic nature of rewards in sport.

• The rewards are the same for the freshman playing his first season as for the senior playing his last season.
• The rewards for the first year coach are the same as for the twenty year veteran of coaching.
• At the end of the game or the end of the season, the rewards are the same.

2 – Jesus told a story about this in Matthew 20:1-16 (read the text aloud).

• Let’s say that a denarius is worth $20.00
• The guys who worked 6:00 am to 6:00 were paid $20.00
• The guys who worked noon to 6:00 were paid $20.00
• The guys who worked 5:00 pm to 6:00 were paid $20.00

3 – It’s similar in the life of our team relate to rewards.

• Differing levels of experience receive the same reward.
• Differing levels of understanding receive the same reward.
• Senior players, juniors, sophomores, even freshmen receive the same reward.

 4 – Young players, give proper respect to the veterans.

• Appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made for the program.
• You probably think this level of success is a given, but it has not always been this way.
• (Recite the names of the eldest players who have invested deeply in the team’s success for a long time.)
• Like the workers who started at 6:00 am, you enjoy these rewards due to grace.

5 – Veterans, don’t be envious of the young players’ good fortune.

• They are at the right place at the right time.
• Their contributions to the team are a large part of our success.
• Like the workers who started at 5:00 pm, you enjoy these rewards due to grace.

6 – In today’s contest, pursue, achieve and celebrate a great victory.  You will all receive the same rewards; a victory, a championship and memories for a lifetime.

This resource provided by Roger D. Lipe
lipe@earthlink.net
www.sifca.org