Super Bowl Christians
Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a very competitive person, and I LOVE football. This past weekend was the Super Bowl, and of course I’m in front of the TV watching the game (after church service was over, of course). While I was watching the game, it came to me how our spiritual lives are much like football, or any sport for that matter. But you don’t have to be an avid sports fan like me to receive this blessing.
While you might be thinking “my Christian life is nothing like a football game,” the Bible does use sports to teach about spiritual truths. In Biblical times they might not have had American football games or Super Bowls but they did have athletic competitions. Paul writes,
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The sports may be different, but you’ll find there are a ton of lessons we as Christians can learn from football.
COMPETITION is Part of the Game
By nature, sports are a competition. But to compete you must be in the game. Just as a coach chooses players to be in the football game, God has chosen us. Our competitor (Satan) is focused on our defeat (1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour). But we also compete against ourselves. And it is sad to say, but just like in real life football games, most of the people in the stadium sit in the stands. Then there are those who are on the team, but sit on the bench. Most of us would prefer rest on the bench (or pew) and observe the game – both with encouragement and more often with criticism about how others are playing on the field. But God doesn’t call us to be spectators, but participants. Our field is the world, and our goal is to win it for Jesus Christ. Sure, some will have a special call to play a bigger role, but everyone is called onto the field to play. Even if you may not have a key role or a particular play, you must still be ready at a moment’s notice to dash onto the field and play your part when the coach calls your number to be on the field.
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:,
There are RULES to the Game
The football field is laid out in ten yard increments, has boundaries, and there are rules to the game. The boundaries are there to keep us in the game. The 10 yard markers are there not as the object, but as a point of reference as we move toward the goal. If they weren’t there, we wouldn’t know if we were heading in the right direction or running to the wrong goal.
God’s laws and the 10 commandments function in much the same way. They keep us in the game and give us points of reference for gaining or losing of ground. Violating the rules results in penalties and may even take us out of the game for a while. There are turnovers and fumbles as well. Yet when we compete according to the rules, and are victorious in our efforts, we will receive a prize
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Our TIME on the Field is Limited
The game of football is played in four quarters with a set time limit. The same is true for us as Christians, but unlike the game on the football field, we can’t see the clock. We don’t know how much time is
left. This makes it even more important for us to value our time and make the most of it. The Bible commands us to redeem the time, to make the most of every opportunity rather than waste it. (Ephesians 5:16 - Redeeming the time, because the days are evil) In fact, if you think about the world today there is not much time left on the clock. In fact, we should live like it’s already the fourth quarter, down to the two minute warning, and now it’s up to us to play our part to win another one for the coach. Things may seem dire. But in life, just like in football, nothing is impossible, everything can happen. You should not give up or stop playing your best until the referee blows his whistle and declares the Victor.
GEAR Up for the Game
In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul gives the Christian the pre-game pep talk and reminds us to check our gear.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" ~ Ephesians 6:10-18
He’s talking about gearing up for battle, but football players also gear up for the game.
If he’d been thinking about football he might have phrased it this way, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the uniform, so that you can take your stand against the opposing team… Therefore put on all of your gear so that when the game day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the shoulder pads of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the shoes of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the face mask of faith, with which you can conquer all the opponents’ plays. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, your playbook, which is the word of God. Let’s all commit the game to God as we kneel for a locker room prayer, that we might prove victorious in this game.”
We Strive for the GOAL
It is not enough to simply be in the game. In life, the goal may seem at the far end of the field. It can be difficult to keep moving forward. It may seem that every time you run a play you get knocked down. Sometimes you may even get sacked. The solution is not to focus on where you have come from, but where you are going. Philippians 3:14 says "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." We must always be moving forward, never fumbling the ball, and always gaining new ground. If we do stumble and fumble, we are to recover the ball quickly and press onward. If we step out of bounds, or get the wind knocked out of us, we must get back in the game and focus on the Coach. And even if you are tackled for a loss, When you are focused on Him, and run the plays He calls, you’ll find yourself moving toward the goal.
We Play as Part of a TEAM
Football is a team sport. It takes an entire team to do it’s part to win the game. Even star players can’t win on their own. In football you need a quarterback, blockers, linemen, kickers, receivers and defensive players. All are critical to a successful team. Likewise, every believer has a unique role and a part to play in the Kingdom of God
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:12-20)
The Victors Receive a PRIZE
We are competing for a prize, but it is not that Super Boal ring we seek. It is the crown of righteousness awarded by our Lord, our righteous judge. (2 Timothy 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.)
