1. Get started. Peyton said the decision to play his senior year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville was "one of the smartest decisions I've ever made." Eventually, Peyton started playing professional football, and getting in the game of sharing your faith won't happen until you get started.
2. Failures are not final. Peyton holds many records - including the rookie record for interceptions. His failed attempts of delivering receptions didn't stop him from delivering the ball. Keep delivering the gospel.
3. Remain coachable. Peyton's gratitude for all his coaches highlights the fact that he continued to listen to others and learn from them. Remain coachable as you continue to share your faith.
4. God's word is our playbook. At his retirement press conference, out of all the playbooks he's read, Peyton referenced 2 Timothy 4:7: "I've fought the good fight. I've finished my 'football' race." Our evangelism playbook is the word of God.
5. The game, not the goal, changes. Eighteen years saw many changes in the game of football, yet the goal of football never changed. The way we present the gospel must change, but the message of the gospel never changes.
6. The mission is greater than the mission's greatest. Football is greater than even one of its greatest football players, Peyton Manning. The mission of evangelism is greater than the greatest evangelist.
7. You are not alone. In the press conference, Peyton named family, players, coaches, friends and fans who journeyed with him. When you are lonely, remember you are never alone while you share the gospel.
8. Setbacks don't have to set you back. Peyton said, "Football has taught me not to be led by obstructions and setbacks." Sin in your life doesn't have to set you back in sharing your faith. Rest in God's grace.
9. Include your family. The Manning family is a football family. Is your family a gospel family? Share your faith as a family.
10. Endure to the end. Peyton's realization that "it's time" to retire demonstrates that he endured to the end. Endurance is one theme in 2 Timothy. Endure by sharing your faith to the end.
11. Peyton played through his personality. God made no two quarterbacks with the same personality. No two Christians have the same personality. The gospel never changes, but the personalities who share the gospel always change. Share the gospel through your personality.
12. Share one conversation at a time. Peyton led the Indianapolis Colts to win at least 12 games seven consecutive years. Still, he could only play one game at a time. Share your faith one conversation at a time.
13. God is aware and cares. At the press conference, Peyton's closing "God bless all of you, and God bless football" reminds us that God is aware of where you are on mission, and he cares.
14. Finishing doesn't mean you are finished. Peyton may be leaving the field, but he has something left to offer off the field. If you are still breathing, then God is not finished with you.
15. Leave a living legacy. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was 10-4 in games against Peyton, told him: "You changed the game forever." Share the gospel for it lasts forever.
16. Be grateful. Peyton's gratitude for the game shows that he never got over the game. Are you expressing gratitude for the gospel?
17. Jesus is the hero of the gospel. "Reverence for the game" is the reason Peyton gave for playing at his best. Jesus is the hero of the gospel and the reason we share.
18. Have fun. "Eighteen is a good number" to end with, reminding you to have fun sharing the gospel.
A native of Crystal Springs, Miss., Sam Greer has been senior pastor at Red Bank Baptist Church since 2012. He and his wife, Tonya, have been married 14 years, and have two daughters: 8-year-old Braydee and 5-year-old Belle.