Heading into the College Football Playoff Championship game, we all knew that Georgia, as the defending champions, had a great team. However, Georgia took it to another level and dominated TCU from start to finish in a way we rarely see on that kind of stage. They won 65-7 to become back-to-back National Champions and absolutely crushed TCU in every facet of the game. Georgia dominated early, becoming the first team in playoff history to score 17 points in the first quarter, and went into halftime 38-7. They scored points on their first six possessions and it wasn’t until the third quarter that they punted. They set a record for the most points in a BCS/CFP title game with 65, it was the biggest blowout against an AP top-three-ranked team ever, and the 58-point margin of victory is the largest in FBS bowl history. TCU really took a beating as Georgia controlled every facet of the game. It was a statement win and impressive in so many ways, but how does a team dominate and whip an opponent like that in a Championship game? There are plenty of reasons, but what jumps out to me is how well-prepared their gameplan was, how determined they were to win another championship, how the team was filled with so many players they could rely on, and they were always ready to stop anything that was thrown at them. As we reflect on how Georgia was able to dominate TCU, I want to unpack what it looks like to dominate in our own lives. The word dominate means to “have a commanding influence on; exercise control over.” As followers of Jesus, we know that He conquered sin and death and now empowers us and enables us to dominate sin. Yes, we still fall short and we're still sinners, but when we surrender to Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit, we're able to “exercise control over” the sin in our lives. We're able to “crush” sin because Jesus was crushed. He took a beating on our behalf, so we can beat temptation and through Him have victory over sin. He was whipped so we can whip our opponent. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) tells us, “But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” We're in a position to dominate sin when we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, as Paul encourages us in Galatians 5:16 (AMP): “But I say, walk habitually in the Spirit , and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature .” When Jesus dominates or has a “commanding influence on” our lives, sin no longer dominates us like it once did. Romans 6:12-14 (NLT) challenges us by saying, “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. "So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” Today, let’s be determined to dominate and win as we trust God’s game plan, surround ourselves with teammates we can rely on, and always be ready to stop any sin that is thrown at us as we “exercise control over” it with His strength. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to dominate sin and death on my behalf. I pray that You would dominate my life and my thoughts. Please empower me to dominate sin as I live under the freedom of Your grace. I’m thankful for the new life I have in Jesus and thankful for the Holy Spirit that helps me not carry out the desires of my sinful nature. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What previous sinful behavior has Jesus helped you dominate and exercise control over?
2. What changes do you need to make as you trust Jesus to help you dominate certain sins in your life?
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