Game Plan | Part 1 | Featuring Detroit Lions Kicker, Jake Bates

I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross I'll never know how much it cost Come on, let's stir that up. Stir that up tonight. I'll never know, I'll never know To see my sin, to see my sin I'll never know, I'll never know How much it cost to see my sin I'll never know, I'll never know How much it cost to see my sin I'll never know, I'll never know How much it cost to see my sin Upon that cross So here I am to worship Here I am to bow down We are here to say that we are worthy You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether, altogether What a beautiful name it is Declare it What a beautiful name it is Say the name of Jesus Christ, my King Oh, what a beautiful name it is Nothing compares Nothing compares What a beautiful name it is Go ahead, somebody shout it out Say, what a beautiful name it is

Oh, what a beautiful name it is Say the name The name of Jesus Christ, my King That's it, that's it, say What a beautiful name it is Nothing compares to this Church, would you sing it again Let that mellow inside of you today What a beautiful name What a beautiful name it is What a beautiful name it is The name of Jesus Christ What a beautiful name What a beautiful name it is Nothing compares to this What a beautiful name it is The name of Jesus Christ For death could not cause you Say, the death torn before you That's it You silenced the bones of sin Somebody join all of heaven The heavens down Hey Say the praise of your God For you raised the life of death Say you have no rival You have no equal You have no rival Hey

You have no equal Now and forever Now and forever Forever and ever Yours is the kingdom Yours is the kingdom Hey Say yours is the kingdom Say yours is the kingdom Yours is the kingdom Say yours is the kingdom Yours is the kingdom What a powerful name it is What a powerful name it is The name of Jesus Christ What a powerful name What a powerful name it is Nothing can stand, nothing can stand against What a powerful name it is The name, what a powerful name What a powerful name it is The name, what a powerful name What a powerful name ♪ In the name of Jesus ♪ Oh, we lift up the name. We lift up the name. ♪ In the name of Jesus ♪ It's the only name that saves. And it's worthy of all praise. I call you Jesus.

Sing it, say, I call you. I call you Jesus. If you've been redeemed, say. Risen and reigning in power. That's it, something comes out of the grave. Every time I call you Jesus. That's it. I call you, I call you Savior. Worthy of all praise. Is He worthy? Forever. See, something comes out of the grave. Hey, every time. I call you Jesus. Somebody lift up your praise. I'll have Him. Keep me committed over death. Keep me committed over death. And He holds, He holds the keys. In His holiness, God is. He is the key. He's crossed the serpentine. He's crossed the serpentine. That's it, sing. I'll resurrect and reign. I call you Jesus. I call you. I call you Jesus. Risen and reigning in power. Sing.

Something comes out of the grave. Every time. Every time I call you Jesus. Declare it. I call you, I call you Savior. Is He worthy? Worthy of glory forever. Hey. Something comes out of the grave. Every time. Every time I call your name. Shades break. Dry bones wake. Every time I call your name. The gates open. Come on. Somebody lift up your praise. Every time I call your name. Shades break. Dry bones wake. Every time I call your name. The gates open. Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. Somebody call out the name of Jesus. Somebody call out the name that's above every other name. Let me tell you, He is greater than anxiety. His name is greater than fear. His name is greater than addictions. His name is greater than depression.

His name is greater than cancer. His name is greater than all disease. His name is greater than your doubts. And His name is greater than death itself. So with understanding of who God is and what He did for you, would somebody lift up your highest praise? Yeah! Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. That's it, sing it. Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. Come on, with meaning and understanding. Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. Sing it again. Somebody needs to shout it today. Somebody needs to shout it. Sing it again, sing. We're all dead. It's now or never. Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. Sing we were dead. We're all dead. It's now or never. Heaven and hell shake. Every time I call your name. Deadly's come alive. Deadly's come alive.

Deadly's come alive. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. I call you Jesus. I call you, I call you, leader. Raising you, raising you higher. That's it. Something comes out of you. Every day. Every time. I call you Jesus. I call you, I call you, Savior. Burning, going forever. That's it. Something comes out of you. Every day. Every time. I call you Jesus. Chains break. Trials break. Every time I call your name. There is no end. That's it. Every time I call you. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive.

Death-peace come alive. Death-peace come alive. Come on, you can set free. You know, it is a very special day today, and it's really a joy to have Jake and Presley Bates here today. It's going to be an incredible, incredible morning. But before we get started, you know, I'm starting this new series. In fact, Jake is kicking off our new series. Did you see how I did that? You did that. Yeah. She wants credit up here. Amen. She's not AI. She said, I'm just I. It's just Brenda all by herself. But we're starting a brand new series called game plan. And really what we're going to be talking, even after this Sunday, the next four or five Sundays, a lot of people feel like they're losing at life. Feel like they're losing spiritually. Could be in their marriage, could be in their home. But how many thank God that God does give us a plan in his word. He gives us an exact plan on how to overcome and not go under. And so, um, Jake's going to be kicking this off for us today. And, but I want to, I want to give you this overarching scripture. That's going to ride all the way through the next several weeks. And I want you to probably try it. Just why don't you just write it down and memorize it and I'll have it up on the screen here, but I want you to, I want you to see this. Paul says this to the new Christians in the city of Philippi believers like you and me.

And I want you to hear what he says. And he starts in chapter three and verse 10. If you don't have a Bible, you can look right up on the screen to get your Bible app out there. But he says this, he says, I want to know Christ. That's his first thing. I want to know him. And that know there, it means I just don't, he knew he'd been a believer for a long time, follower of Jesus. But he said, there's something more. This never ends. I want to go deeper in my relationship. I want to intimately know the Lord Jesus more and more and more and experience the mighty power. And when he says, when I know Jesus, he says, mighty power comes into me to be victorious over sin, over trouble that comes away. There is a power that comes into you to win, actually win. And that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing his death. And that doesn't mean he says, Hey, we Christians go around looking for just, we just want to get beat up all the time. We want to suffer. No, he realizes that when hardship comes to the believer, it's different for other, for us than other people, because we are carrying Jesus with us. And in fact, the suffering when we get done makes us stronger, more powerful, more confident in Jesus Christ. You walk out stronger. Can somebody say amen to that? He said so that the, so that, so that one way or another, I will experience the resurrection from the dead. What is he talking about?

When I'm resurrected, it's a perfected life. It's perfect life. But then he says this, and this is going to be the overarching for the series. It says this in verse 12, I don't mean to say that I've already achieved these things. So he said, I'm still on the struggle bus. Sometimes I haven't achieved these things. He said, or that I have already reached perfection. None of us are there yet. Not even this guy up here, but I press on, but I press on to possess. that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. He came after you because he knows there's something in you. Some of you don't feel perfection yet, but he says he's coming after you. He sees what is inside of you. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it. But I focus on this one thing, forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling all of us. So everybody, as we get ready to start game plan, would you welcome Jake Bates, our favorite Detroit lion? Come on. Come on. Jake Bates sets it through with 15 seconds to go. After the snap, there it is. Fox, the spot. Keep away. It is up and it is good. He got it. 58, Jake Bates sets it through.

There's the snap. Spot. Keep away. It is up and it is good. We're going to fly home on the wings of Jake Bates. Oh, baby. Good for 58. Good for 52. And that's good enough. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. And that's good enough for a victory for the Detroit Lion. Wow. Give it up for Jake, everybody, one more time. I'm feeling it all over again. I'm feeling the anxiety all over again.

Are y'all? Just the, whatever they call Jake in, we just are like, but there was one moment, and I have to show this real quick. There was one moment. One moment. Should I show the one moment? Well, first I needed to ask a deep question first. Well, first I want to introduce Presley. You know me. I'm going to go out. So Presley, stand up and show everybody your beautiful face. This is Presley Bates. We love you, Presley. Yes. Y'all been married a year now. How's it going? It's great. I think you learn more about yourself every day, being married, and you learn how much you need, you need Jesus in a marriage. You should have been here last week. He would have, yeah, he's just, y'all remember that? I got so lucky to marry somebody that shows me Jesus every day and the way that she loves me and her family and the grace that she gives, and I'm a really lucky man. Looky there. Keep saying it. You should drop your mic. You can drop your mic right now. That's amazing. Okay. Deep question.

Why did they get rid of David Montgomery? Why did they let him go to Texas? Why did, tell me, what were they thinking? No pressure, Jake. I don't know when to dive in on that, but you're such a smart man, smart man. Well, the anxiety that you feel when you go out there, but first of all, I want to show this kick that just about, I just about pulled my hair out and I know y'all would too. Can you show that kick, Gordon? He put everything he had into this kick. It looks like it's going to bend wide, kind of curl back inside, just sneaks in there. My heart's pounding all over again. You said it's in the overtime and then we ended up winning the game. I'm just about to pass out just thinking about it. Do y'all remember that? Do y'all remember that? That was a, that was a weird one. I remember, like I always call my parents on my way home once I get in my car and start driving home and I called my mom first and she didn't answer. And then so I called, I think that was a tough one on her. But then I called my dad and he answered. And so we were talking a little bit and I was like, dad, where's, where's mom at? I called her, she didn't answer. And he was like, Jake, you, you about did it to her that time. She was like, she's been on a walk for the last 45 minutes. But I know that she feels probably a lot more of that anxious feelings whenever I'm going out there. Cause whenever I'm going out there, it's just kind of me ripping out a, like it's like a ripping off a band-aid. It's just kind of getting out there and doing my job and getting off. And, but I know she's in her hands and the whole thing, it's a, it takes a special person

to be the mother of a kicker. So the kicker, well, I know you say, you just go out there and it's just like ripping off a band-aid, but there was one time, Corden, can we show the Ravens game? There was one, you know what I'm talking about? And the kicker got him and brought him down and saved the touchdown. It was a kick. Return for a touchdown. Yeah, you know his eyes had to be like saucers. What do you say? He's one-on-one. He's he's the last line of defense Okay, can we just thank Jake for that We thank you Jake I Wish I had a picture of it But somebody a few weeks ago sent me a shirt to the Lions facility and it's a on the shirt it's a big picture of right before when I'm like this about to make the tackle and you can just see my eyes and they're like I Just I can't imagine I can't because you said I mean a lot of kickers would have just kind of walked away But not you Other duties as assigned, right? Yeah that I mean, I think at some point, you know My job says that I'm gonna kick footballs and that's pretty much it At some point you have to be a good teammate and I think a good teammate was at least given my best effort on that Play and luckily I was able to get him down and then that put that drive ended up our defense stopped them on like the two yard line And so, you know, it takes 11 players on the field to to do the whole thing And I'm glad I was able to help out a little bit, but you were smart enough not to use your legs You just took that you just took him out that was great. I love the slow motion I could have done without the Troy Eggman, but that's okay. We're just It's you know, Jake. Well, you know when you see these this, you know, you're you're just there to do this job You know our job descriptions here at Grand Rapids first It tells you what your duties are But then it says and duties as assigned sometimes you end up other duties as assigned Because sometimes something comes at you you're not expected to have come at you, you know and so all of a sudden life takes a little bit different course, but you know, that's anxiety on the field, but a Lot of us experience anxiety when something comes at us. It's as hard

We were not expecting or you thought okay, the marriage was supposed to work out this way, but it's not The prognosis was supposed to change but it's not I should be further than I am You know a lot of people a lot of stuff hits you like this and you know, everybody sees okay, here's Jake Bates, man Look here's a kicker for Detroit Lions and they see that but they don't see all the stuff that came at you before You know and I don't know some some of the folks don't know your story That when you didn't you didn't know what you were gonna do. You didn't know which way you're going God Where are you and sometimes we're going is there a God and where are you in all this, you know? Yeah, I know, you know, that's something that I'm able to reflect on quite a bit and I'm super glad that I've experienced so many ups and downs because I think it has helped shape me into the person that I am and that I am becoming And that I want to become But yeah, there was days that like it literally felt like nothing was gonna happen. And I remember one day specifically I had kind of given up on football because it just I hadn't heard anything in a couple months and It was like, okay I'm what I was like 24 at the time all my friends were already, you know a couple years into their careers and I Felt so behind every one of my friends everyone that I went to college or high school or whatever with And so I got a job Selling brick and I know most people know that the meat is kind of run with that story It wasn't as much as I didn't sell any brick. I didn't make it that far but I Remember like one of the first weeks of that job I was driving there and I was really struggling with the whole identity of I Have been an athlete my whole entire life. Everyone has kind of known me as an athlete And now I'm not that anymore and I wanted it so bad and I definitely struggled with that kind of Self-identity and I remember driving to work one time and just like praying out loud that Whether it's a brick salesman or whether it's a football player. I want to be the best Person in the role that that God provides for me and I think that's one of the coolest prayers that I've ever prayed in I think one thing that I can I can see from that moment the way that my heart was changed And in the roles that everything's been thrown at me and just kind of taking stuff in stride and just being grateful for it I'm just I'm so blessed to

To be loved by a God that that knows us that knows what we need when we need it And it doesn't always work out the way that that I planned it to watching the the World Cup This summer like that was always my dream was to was playing the World Cup and I'm glad it is a soccer player Yeah, I was only soccer only soccer until I was about 21 and then I started kicking but yeah That was the biggest dream. I remember in 2014 was the World Cup that I remember the most and Watching the US team just being like that's what I want that that's my life And it's funny how your life usually doesn't work out the way that you think it's going to, but it's also so cool to see it on the flip side of it, how much better of a life that the Lord had for me. And even if it wasn't the NFL, it would have been fine. I would have been happy serving the God that I love selling brick. But I just wanted to be, you know, the best steward of wherever he has me, um, to, to share his name. That brings such an ease. Yeah. Amen. Cause that's, that brings, you know, it's just, it's, I think sometimes we put way too much pressure on ourselves. I don't know if culture puts it on us. I don't know if it's our parents or our peers, but you know, Paul said, you know, Paul was just saying, he's just, he's going, this is my goal. My, my goal is Jesus Christ, him crucified to know him, to know him. And I think, you know, all this other stuff goes away. I think it all, everything eventually goes away for us. I mean, uh, you know, um, the reality it's kind of morbid, but you know, the chances of dying is 100% and it hasn't changed much. So it all goes away. And I think when people come to this, they lose, they lose, they may lose their job. They may not get the position they want and not get the person they wanted to date, got dumped something else. And then the whole world falls apart. And I think sometimes it's exactly this Jake, where you're saying, man, it doesn't make a difference. It's Jesus Christ. That's the bottom line of my survival. And it hasn't changed. I think that's, that's awesome. Jake, thank you for that test. And I live, you know, my job is, is very anxious filled. It's like, if I have two bad games, you know, am I ever going to have a job again? And I remember this summer, um, Presley and I were talking about, um, settling down and like establishing roots down in Texas where our families are and, um, like getting a house down there and stuff. And I remember we were driving and I was like, Presley, if, if we buy this house and I struggle and I get cut and I never have a job again, like, how are we going to pay for this? Like, we're not going to have any money. I'm not going to have a job. And she was just, she just

kind of looked at me and was like, do you not trust the Lord is going to provide? And I was like, wow, that's a real blow to the ego right there. Uh, I mean, that's a lot of pressure. You think about, you know, you think of two bad games. Yeah. You know, I'm thinking, wow, what happened if I had two bad sermons? What would you all do to me? You know, I'm thinking, you know, what's, what's, what's in it, you know, what's going to happen, you know, but that's a lot of anxiety. It is a lot of anxiety. I just, I just can't imagine. I can't imagine. I, I did see, you may talk about his focus now. Can I talk about his focus and how he felt? Okay. So you have my permission, Brenda proceed. I have my own set of notes. So we were blessed to go to a game on my birthday and we got to see Presley. We did get to see you because you didn't talk to nobody. We were, we were quite offended. You didn't, but when I saw that you didn't talk to Martha, it was right to your left, Martha Ford in her little golf cart. And then are you, I didn't even see you talk to Dan. Dan gave you hand signals, not those kinds of hands. He gave them like this, right? That means get out there and do that one thing. And, um, but, but we, we were in the word that's that Sam talked about, uh, or read earlier, Paul talks about the one thing and that one thing, that one thing. And I know you didn't talk to anybody. I mean, I thought at first you were being punished because he goes out seriously. Can I just tell him what he goes out there? And we got there like an hour early because you remember it was when he broke his foot. We had to roll in that stadium and we thought it was going to take us forever. And we got in there and Jake was warming up and I bet you kicked it a hundred times. How many times do you think you kick it? I really have no idea. It's a lot, probably too much, but it's a lot. It's like you start at 10 and then you keep getting longer and longer, go further and further. And I was going, he's going to be worn out. He's not going to be able to do nothing when this game comes up, but he, he did. You sure did. I think you, there was an optical illusion field goal at that for us because it looked like it didn't go in, but it really did. But anyway, but we noticed that after he practiced and y'all came running in, Jake sat on this part of the bench and everybody else was down here. And I thought, Oh, he did something wrong. He's being punished, but it's because of your focus and your team understand your focus. And now we understand your focus and it is amazing. So last time you were here, you mentioned distractions. Can you talk to us about that? Yeah. And that's something that I've had to work really hard on. And knowing myself and knowing what could distract me what I need to do to be

You know the best person in my role and I have kind of come to the conclusion that I have to be a little bit over the top of Distractions and I know that from basically When I have like my breakfast that morning of a game day if one thing can distract me anything can Throw me off the path If one if one thing can distract me anything can distract me and that's kind of how I lead that game day and I also think it's it's a call that I have to where God's put me in this role and And I really truly believe it's not just to make kicks And to be a good football player, but that's the role. He has me in right now, and I think by Making sure that I'm focused and not letting distractions get the best of me. I'm honoring him through how serious I take my job and How much care I put into it and so I'm I am a little bit over the top But I think people have kind of learned to understand it and hopefully respect it But yeah, I just kind of go about my day and don't really talk much And I that's what we noticed I mean, you know What kind of things would distract you because I'm watching the other team members the people who run the ball I don't know what their titles are But they run you know they just they get the ball And they just run and and they do it a million times and and they do all that you have one thing and you're great at it by the way and Anyway, but you have that one thing and you're it's just it's just amazing to me How you how you just are so focused? But what are some of the things that does is it the people the fans? Because I did hear him yelling the refs suck, but we weren't We weren't I thought that was terrible we booed he led in the booing but But we did he did he was the loudest I Asked Jesus to forgive me yes, I Booed I booed listen those fans are crazy. I mean they're fun

I had a lot of fun there, and they booed and I thought it's the crowd Lord forgive me It's the crowd making me do it to boo, but we wouldn't participate in some of the chance, but what distracts you I mean when you're I mean if you just in the game itself you said if one this I mean, this is I love this if one thing distracts me everything distracts me I mean, what are some of those things that I mean? I mean, there's so many things throughout the course of the game obviously the audience the fans on the sidelines You know the the situation of the game the score the time Do you watch this score in the time? Not a ton because I want I want to make sure that every time I go out there It feels as much the same as possible whether it's in the first quarter or the fourth quarter I don't want it to change I don't want to get too high or too low and I want to stay you know right here, so I I stay pretty Pretty removed from the game, but I mean I know when it's about to be my time Like I know when it's third down, and I'm about to have to go out there But I mean there's so many in the wind the weather could could distract you a little bit especially on the road The opposing fans that are right on the sidelines saying some mean stuff to you about your family your wife your parents Are you really calling by name? Yeah? There's some there's some there's some crazy stuff that can happen numbers. I will take them out You are the sweetest people in the world Who would say that about the Bates no I and so that's that's something that Like obviously I have ears I can hear, but if I even let it turn my head a little bit I thought they've already won, and so I mean I'm as you know singler. Yeah, that's not the right word I'm as focused as I can be That's that's wild Chicago. Just tell me it was at Chicago was it Ben Johnson doing it because We Green Bay, it was great. She can hang on to that for a long time. I'll tell you I'm offended on your behalf That's just but you know this is really because you're hearing all this stuff out there I mean a lot of us we get one person disagree with us on Facebook, and we curl up in the fetal position We won't go to church with them. We don't want to talk to him at work But I'm just I'm saying this is really a heavy spiritual application You think about this. I mean they're they're saying stuff about your family They're saying stuff about you your way you play who you are your looks whatever and that's it and you have to stay focused on

one goal and We get so distracted some of us are I mean come on some of us may be holding on to an offense I know you need to be in the altar you're the first one today, just, but I'm, I'm just serious. We hang on to stuff and it distracts us from knowing the fullness of Jesus Christ and never ever obtaining that. I mean, it's, that just sticks with me. If one thing distracts me, everything distracts you. Tell us you're not on social media. Yeah. And so that's, that's another thing that plays into that for sure. Um, I, I remember getting, getting on in this year. Um, obviously I had a couple more misses than, you know, I had previously. And so I felt a little bit more of like the teeth of the media, I guess is what they call it. And, um, saw it a little bit more. And so around, I know where he is. Um, so around, around no early November, I think it was, um, we Presley like had the idea to delete social media just so, um, and you know, the season of Thanksgiving, just being more presently grateful for, for the things that we have and getting rid of, of social media. And I haven't really gone back because I think that, that for me, and I know it's not the same for everybody. Um, but for me that, that social media, like that, that feeds into the anxiety of, of the job that I have. And so like, why would I let that feed, you know, why would I let that feed my brain and my heart? Um, instead, you know, turn, instead of waking up first thing, doing scrolling Twitter, seeing what everybody's saying, how about I open my Bible and write a little bit. Wow. That's really good. That's amazing. So, you know, that, you know, some people get, you know, like you say, get offended at that focus. I think, um, you know, like I, when I watched you, I mean, it was, we were, Brennan and I were just sitting, I think that whole conversation was your focus at that game. I mean, we enjoyed the game, you know, uh, except for the part where I kind of backslidden booed, but I booed a lot, man. It was great. I need to do that more, but, um, but I really, we won the game, but I just watched that. And, you know, sometimes I thought, you know, you know, Hey Jay, I will go, Hey Jake, I'm up over here. You mean maybe pastor Sam? And I said, Brenda, he is so dialed in. He didn't see anybody. I said, he is dialed in and you know, somebody could get offended by that, but I have a great sermon series. So I listened to it and I got over it after that event, but no, just kidding. I'm joking with you. But I think the world

can get offended at believers for their focus on wanting to follow Jesus Christ. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm telling you there, there are so many cultural hot buttons now that we are so afraid of losing people's approval of us that we would rather bend to the cultural whims and say, I'm so focused on Jesus. It doesn't mean I'm mean, doesn't mean I'm better than you. I just want Jesus more than anything in my life. And I'm going to run my marriage this way. I'm going to run my personal life this way. I'm going to run my money this way. And Jake, that isn't a powerful, I mean, just that focus in the game is a powerful parallel to what you impressly do to follow Jesus Christ. Because I guarantee it. I'm just going to just tell you something from just this church. You are, y'all are sitting around some folks that every single day it's about winning or losing what's happening. I mean, they thinking about all the time, but for the two of you to walk your marriage out focused on Jesus Christ is such a refreshing witness to the world, to the other athletes, even those who don't know Jesus Christ. Jake Presley, we just, we are so grateful for you all just to walk that. I mean, just to keep walking that focus and I don't care if they get offended. You know, I got one goal. I got one, I'm going, I'm going after. I think it's something that I've been, um, you know, learning more and more about is the parable of the talents that, um, he talks about is, and I, I I'll be the first to say I can't, you know, quote scripture front to back and all this stuff. But I have in the last year felt like I've, I've learned a lot more, um, as I've just continued to grow my faith and, um, him talking about, there's a, there's the master that gives three servants talents. One gets five, one gets two, one gets one. Um, and the one with five and the one with two go out and, you know, trade and do all this to, to grow their talents while the one with one, um, buries it and make sure it's safe and make sure no one touches it. Um, and then the master comes back and ask for the talents back. And I quote me if I'm saying this wrong, I don't want to misspeak. Um, but. The ones that went out and the ones with five and two that went out and did stuff with theirs the master was really happy with because You know he didn't just give them the talents just to keep to themselves

And I feel like in my role right now as a kicker. It's not just to To keep to myself and to not not try as hard as I can like I think I've given given these talents I think everybody is given different talents, and they're not seen as as less or more in the Lord's eyes But I think it's you know what can you do with this stuff to spread his kingdom, and so that's what you know I'm trying to take these talents that he's given me to do Take that everybody that was good. That's good. You did you did right you did good on that one But if you messed up, I'd clean it up next Sunday. Don't worry about it. You'll be gone I'll take care of it Bob. I looked it up this morning to make sure I had a solid But But that's so true though, yeah, Jake I mean we're comparing everything well They got this and they have that they have this looks and they he does this sports And he's got this girlfriend, and we're just going on and on and on just Whatever God's put in your hand whatever gift. He's given you just keep releasing it Just keep following and keep releasing it prone to Jesus. Do you ever compare yourself to other kickers? Yeah, I mean it's so easy especially like You know you hear people who's talk about that just tell me no no no I Mean definitely like I live like we live in in a world of comparison that that's absolutely you know people get paid to make comparisons and so And it's so easy because then there's the you know my position is a stat Basically who has the best stats this that and the other and obviously there's Brandon Aubrey in Dallas Who is is unbelievable Boswell in Pittsburgh is unbelievable? I mean there's so many good kickers that I have a hard time not comparing myself to because You know my my self-ego wants to be the best and like that's kind of the way that I'm hardwired I want to be really really good But that's also something that I I is a fight that I struggle with every day to make sure that I'm running my race Not somebody else's race. It's good Jake That's good You have a group of people here in Grand Rapids who think you are the best is that right yes You know we're highly you know believers you know people think that means believers aren't competitive I

We're competitive You know we compete, but comparison is a different thing Whenever I'm you know when someone encourages me to be a better pastor, but when I when all of a sudden I'm comparing them myself to them and Then it diminishes the value of what God's called me to do then I think we're in danger is When I diminish who I am the value of what I bring for the kingdom because I'm not doing it like them I think it's okay to be the competitive to strive. You know he says I press toward the prize of the high call of God I'm always stretching myself out. You know he uses all these athletic terms Paul does But to but to compare myself to everyone where it diminishes who I am my identity in Christ How I look what I provide what I bring then I think we're on dangerous territory When it diminishes, you know it's like Saul it beat. You know whip Saul You know he heard the women singing you know Saul has killed his thousands But David is tens of thousands, and he didn't get ticked off until he heard everybody else singing And when you it's when you hear everybody else Comparing you to other people they could really be a living in comparison I feel like is living for the approval of men and like that's not what we should be doing Even in that scripture I think Paul is isn't he talking about he's striving for the prize the prize isn't to beat everybody else the prize is to win Heaven that's our goal is to win heaven absolutely you know when we talked about these distraction. I mean You know the kicker has to probably one of the most confident players out there I mean you get one shot not cock very confident. I mean but So we talked about all these you know I'm this focus thing just it has me because I think of I talked about it all The way home. I mean we were like can you believe that who has that kind of focus yeah? Get up there. You know and I just and I was just thinking about Okay, so there I know when I get distracted or something you know something happens where I get distracted spiritually or anything it distracts me There's things that I do So let's say you let's put it in football terms. Okay. You missed the field goal which we're not prophesying that at all It's every field goal for me, but thank you

But every field goal this year we're prophesying that this season every field goal me and chat GPT She had GPT. Yes tell them chat gbt said that lions are winning the superbowl it's not a.i well we don't know if that's a.i or just i it's just i no we believe it we believe it hey with you coming i broke out my lions box that i put away for the season and i got my shoes to get where's the camera you got to get the shoes i got those shoes out and all my i was gonna wear tattoos but i thought that was over the top but jay let me just tell you she already had the superbowl party stuff i do i have the place and she has up there ready for this yeah she's got ready to go and the straws even we are having a party yeah because we're winning this year no pressure when you get up there and kick that ball just know i gotta get my box out just kidding i'm kidding so when let me back to what i was saying there so let's say when if when if you miss what mental routines or when you're being distracted i should not miss but when you're being distracted what mental routines what mental routines do you do okay just kind of just what when you're when you hear all this stuff you know fans people screaming also what's what are some of the mental things you do uh and then i kind of want to add one other layer uh what place when you're distracted even in even in even in uh kicking what place does the presence of god and the word of god because i don't think the presence of god the word of god is distracted from any of our work here i think it's deeply entrenched in our work uh what is there something on the spiritual side i mean you might have some practical things mentally that you do when you're distracted and then what's the spiritual side you know yeah i mean um in in those situations i've noticed how much speaking out loud um helps me uh and i think that just all goes back to the power of the tongue uh and how important that can be but speaking out loud to myself reciting hebrews 12 1 um that says therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us you all come on jesus i the man's got some preach in him today i'll tell you that's good so when you're kicking it when you're warm are you talking to yourself then out there and quoting the word um when it's when you're practicing when it's third day no if i'm like kicking in the net or anything i'm pretty silent but once once i'm done in the net and i can see you know it's second almost third down that's when i'll start like kind of quoting that

to me and just kind of making sure that i'm calm and i think that also gives me a little bit of reassurance to know that i'm not going out there by myself regardless of the situation and also like um if it i'm not never am i preparing for a miss but if i do miss i know that you know that doesn't change the way that god views me and i think um say that again say it again just any any miss you know in life it doesn't change the way that god views me he doesn't see me as a statistic or what i can do for you know that's good and so so that is something that really calms me down and kind of helps me put things into perspective and then i also have this one when and this one kind of comes out a little bit more if it's and i was just talking about how i try not to pay attention to the score at the time but if it is you know towards the end of the game and it looks like it might be a big kick just saying out loud don't need don't make it bigger than it needs to be i think is another thing that that really helps me calm down and know that it's really just another kick and the pressure might feel different um but but really the main thing is the main thing and uh it's the same thing it's the same routine i have a lot of trust in the people that um are snapping and holding and protecting and the coaching staff that's sending me out there and um i think you know just being able to go out there with that peace of mind that um i'm not alone um that that this this kick doesn't define me win or loss and uh but also being able to think back to those days where it didn't look like any of this was going to happen and being like i'm just first off i'm just so grateful that i'm that i'm here and like how cool is this that i've gotten to to to experience some of this stuff and uh you know that brings a lot of calmness and joy and and peace and um also the road bumps when when you know a few years ago coaches saying that i wasn't ready um which i probably wasn't uh but how thankful i am for those things too because in the moment you know that made me about as mad as could be because it's like i am ready i promise you i'm ready i promise you but looking back i wasn't ready and god knew that i wasn't ready he was closing a door for a different one to open rather than just slamming it shut in my face wow wow I, the, the line you just said, don't make it bigger than it needs to be. I, well, I, well, how does the enemy starts messing with our mind? I mean, we start just blowing things up. So big. What?

You're not, you're looking at me like, are you going to say something about me? No, I'm just thinking if I've done something recently that you're going to use as an illustration. No, but we do. I mean, the enemy really does play that mind. The arena of the mind where he makes it bigger than it really is. I mean, and we understand greater is the one that's in you than anything that you're facing. So that thing can't be greater than the one that's in you, right? Yeah. And as soon as, as doubt and fear and all that can creep into your mind, I really strongly believe that's the enemy trying to deter you from going to God. And so, um, if you start, like when I start feeling those things, going to God is where I feel, you know, the most peace. And sometimes the best, the best prayers and the most, the ones that make me feel the best or when I'm just in my car driving and just talking out loud and like no music, just talking out loud. And, um, it's funny how, how sometimes not the most typical prayer places can be the most powerful, at least for me. You know, Jake, I was going to ask you this, um, we, you know, there may be some folks here today. First time ever, ever to be in church or, uh, maybe they brought a friend and we're so glad you came today. Just, we don't think it was an accident. We don't think it was just Jake. We believe God is setting this up for, for your life. But if someone was sitting, you know, in the room today or watching online and they're, and they're listening to you and the things we've talked about, and maybe they really feel like I've really blown it. This is not a, this is not a football game. It's, this is real. I've really missed it.

I've really blown it. I feel like I've really let God down. Um, what would you say to someone that's just drifting and not sure about eternity and about who they are and, and they're just wondering, is there a God out there? Uh, what would you say to somebody like that? Well, I think at first it's, we were so lucky that we serve a God that wants to meet us where we're at. We don't need to be buttoned up and have everything put together to talk to him. He, he sent his son to die on the cross so that we can meet so that he can meet us where we're at. And, um, I think that's something that, you know, a lot of times that, that we can probably struggle with because it seems like with humans, like you can't even get somebody to come pick you up without them expecting something in return. You know, he just wants our heart. He wants us where we're at. And I mean, making the decision to follow Jesus isn't, isn't one of the most important decisions in your life. It's the most important decision in your life and for eternity. And um, I mean it says, it says, uh, the word says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess and you know, might as well do it on this side of, of eternity and, and be able to get to spend eternity with him. Oh, you said something last night. You said when, um, you were, uh, you don't look at the score or anything, but you watch your coach. You listen for your coach to tell you when it's time, but it's time to do something. What's the signal? Well, I'll be, I'll be third down and it'll be one of those, you know, we might be going for it. And I'll kind of start leaning onto the field like this and I'll see, uh, coach Campbell kind of turn and be like, Google like that and be like, all right, all right, like, all

right, it's fine. It's hard time last night, but I thought it was so cool. Just the symbolism of you look for the coach and he's doing this, telling you to look up, look up. Well, I know that's not what he's telling you, but I don't know what he's telling you, but I just thought the symbolism of that was so cool that you always keep your eyes on the coach. Keep your eyes on the one who's going to tell you what to do because he's going to get you through. Yeah. And I think I'm also just so lucky to get to play for a coach like coach Campbell. That is so authentic and is so real and, and cares for us and, um, and loves the Lord. And, uh, you know, I just love the Lord. Absolutely. And, um, and I'm just, I just, I just can't, can't be more grateful to, to be in the position that I'm in where I'm at. That's amazing. Wow. I'm going to cry. That's why I brought the tissues. Where are the tissues? Would you move them? Oh, they're under the chair. Here, baby. Here. I got one better. That's amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Jake, um, I want to read the scripture and it's from Romans chapter three 23 Paul again, talking to early Christians. And I think everybody thinks sometimes that when they miss a Mark or they don't make it spiritually, whether maybe, maybe in relationships could be a lot of things failed a business and they feel like they failed God. Paul says, he says, he's words. He says for everyone has sinned and we all fall short of God's glorious standard. I don't know if y'all know this, but the word sin literally means to miss the Mark, to miss it. And, um, some of you may feel that very way, but he goes on to say, yet God in his grace freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus. When he freed us from the penalty of our sin, missing the Mark of his standard. He did that for us, died for us. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for your sin. People are made right with God. When they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood, and he did that for you, did that for Jake Bates and did it for every man, woman, teenager, child in this place, senior citizen that said, I feel like I'm missing it with God. You don't have to miss it today. He'll make your right with him. He'll make it right.