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Thoughts of...Victory
Well, it’s that time of year again. A new NFL season is upon us. Another long campaign of controlled violence to win the Super Bowl.
Victory in the NFL usually goes to the biggest, strongest, fastest, quickest, meanest, toughest, fittest, smartest team. Life in the NFL is the Big Hit, the Big Play. The play book is Top Secret. Reels of film are unceasingly reviewed looking for weaknesses in opponents to exploit. The NFL is a cultural addiction, as evidenced by intense fan loyalties and flourishing Fantasy football leagues that tease the greed and capture the time and thoughts of many man, even Christian men. The NFL season is all about big money, a big ring, and a silver championship trophy. The keyword is: Win.
Quite a contrast to the Kingdom of God. Victory in the Kingdom of God goes to the denier of self, the helpless and hopeless, the weak and meek, and the poor, broken and humble (). The Kingdom of God is selflessly loving Him and others (, ). The Word of God, a “play book” that is Public Domain, reveals our weaknesses and His strength (, with ). The more time we spend studying and living the Word of God, the more we decrease and the Lord Jesus Christ increases (). A walk with Jesus is a long journey of controlled emotions, tongues, and urges in order to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (). The walk is all about spiritual riches in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus, a key, and a gold crown (, ). The keyword is: Love ().
If NFL teams approached their season like sold-out born-again believers did a walk with Christ, they would sacrificially step aside and submit to the other team for the benefit of that other team. It seems like the Oakland Raiders have displayed this Christian behavior in their last two games with the Denver Broncos – but I assure you that was not in their hearts any more than it was on their helmets.
The NFL honors the victor. Glory goes to the smart, the strong, and the superstar. A trophy awaits the champion.
The Kingdom of God honors the servant. Glory goes to the foolish, the weak, and the nobodies (). The crown of righteousness awaits the faithful servant who has overcome the world and has victory through surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (, ).
Just so no one gets me wrong, I am not anti-football. I am pro-Jesus. The NFL is amoral just like money – it is neither good nor bad. The heart of man is the issue. Jesus Christ did not set aside His glory and enter into a corrupt creation to redeem the NFL; He came to die for the sins of men, to redeem them from the curse of death and hell, and to reconcile them to the LORD God.
How much interest and passion is stirred in your heart by the NFL? How much by Jesus Christ? Do you spend more time and effort during the week watching football games and tracking your Fantasy football team than you do in prayer, in the Word of God, and in fellowship ()? Would you rather talk about football or Jesus Christ? What would a jealous God say about your level of devotion to football?
This football season, let’s not lose sight of or demote Jesus Christ. These are serious and momentous times. We do not have time to play games. We have been appointed by God Almighty to live in the times for which believers have been looking for nearly 2,000 years. With His appointment comes accountability ().
Pastor Doug
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