Words of the Father

Athletes, you know what it means to listen to a coach’s words and carry them out on the field. Plays are called, adjustments are made, and if you’re not tuned in—you’ll miss your assignment. Games are won and lost not just in the weight room or on the diamond, but in the little things—listening, executing, and trusting the game plan.

In John 17:8, Jesus says something powerful in His final prayer before going to the cross: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” (John 17:8, ESV)

Jesus wasn’t just winging it. He wasn’t making up His own strategy. He was living and speaking exactly what the Father gave Him. He had one goal: receive God’s Word and pass it on. And that’s the call for us, too.

1. JESUS LIVED BY THE WORD
Jesus knew the Word because He studied it. He didn’t come into the world with all the Old Testament downloaded in His brain. He learned, memorized, meditated, and grew.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

As a Jewish boy, He would’ve likely memorized the first five books of the Bible by the age of 10. He often asked His critics, “Have you not read?” (Matt. 21:16, 22:31) because He knew the Scriptures.

Jesus quoted from 24 different Old Testament books—He wasn’t just playing a game of religious trivia. He had rhema—Spirit-breathed words for the moment. In John 17:8, the word “words” is rhema, meaning a specific word spoken into a specific situation.

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God.” (Eph. 6:17)

You can’t speak what you don’t know. You can’t quote a play you haven’t studied. You can’t rely on what’s not in you. Just like in sports, game-time performance flows from practice and preparation.

2. JESUS LISTENED TO THE FATHER
Jesus didn’t just study; He listened. Over and over, Jesus says: “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” (John 8:28)

“The Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” (John 12:49)

Jesus had an open line with His Father. He heard, obeyed, and delivered. That’s leadership. That’s trust.

Athlete—are you listening to the right voice? In the noise of the world—critics, media, pressure—are you slowing down enough to hear what God is saying?

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

If Jesus needed to listen, how much more do we?

3. JESUS SPOKE WHAT HE RECEIVED
Jesus didn’t just receive the Word; He gave it away. That’s what He prayed in John 17:8: “I gave them the words you gave me…”

He gave the Word to His team—His disciples. He passed on what the Father passed down.

That’s how we grow spiritually—by giving away what God gives us. It’s like passing the ball. If you never dish it out, you become a spiritual ball hog. But when you share, God keeps filling you.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another…” (Col. 3:16)

Let me ask you… Who has God placed in your life that you can speak a timely word to?

Maybe it’s a teammate who’s down. A coach who’s struggling. A younger player watching how you live. Be ready.

“Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

4. IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORD, WHAT WILL YOU SPEAK?
Jesus said, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29)

Let that sink in. You can be sincere—and still wrong. You can be passionate—but powerless—if you don’t know the Word.

Without God’s Word, we substitute:
    •    Emotions
    •    Motivational quotes
    •    Good intentions

But only Scripture cuts to the heart.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12)

Imagine showing up for a championship game with no game plan. No practice. Just raw talent. That’s a recipe for disaster.

God’s Word is your game plan. It’s how you fight temptation, lead others, and find purpose in victory or defeat.

5. GOD USES YOU WHEN YOU’RE WILLING
“The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

Jesus promised that the Spirit would give us words to speak when the moment comes. But you’ve got to be in the Word daily.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

You don’t have to be a preacher. You don’t need fancy words. Just be faithful to share what God’s shown you.

Get this... A teammate once told me he read Proverbs 3 before a game and couldn’t get this verse out of his head:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” (Prov. 3:5)

Later that night, his teammate got injured and discouraged. He remembered the verse and spoke it into his teammate’s life. That’s rhema. That’s real. That’s Spirit-led.

Let’s zoom out... The Word Jesus gave wasn’t just about life advice—it was about eternal life.

“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word became flesh.” (John 1:1,14)

Jesus is the Word made flesh. He didn’t just speak truth—He is the Truth. He went to the cross for your sin. He rose so you could be forgiven and free.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, now’s the time. Confess your need, turn from sin, and believe in Him.
CHALLENGES:
    1.    Are you regularly in the Word, or just relying on Sunday messages or emotional highs?
    2.    Who are three people in your life that God wants you to speak His Word to?
    3.    What’s one verse you can memorize this week to carry into your practices, games, or life situations?

CLOSING PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what it looks like to live under the Word and speak with boldness. Help us to be students of the Scriptures, listeners to Your Spirit, and sharers of truth. Fill us with courage to speak life into our teammates, our coaches, and our families. May we never be ashamed of Your Word. Give us rhema moments—timely words—that come straight from Your heart. Use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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