The Football Christian
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee 2017-10-11
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Many years ago I foolishly (my thoughts) attended a super-bowl gathering after the evening service at a church where I once belonged. The church service was held a little earlier so those who wanted to watch the super-bowl could view the entire game. The objective was to get more people to attend the evening service. The pastor was a Godly man and a mighty man for the LORD (and still is) and his intent was to bring people to church that night - also for us to fellowship with each other. I did not watch football, strangely enough, and still do not to this day. I didn’t even know who was playing that night. I thought it would be a good time to fellowship with others in our faith. What I heard was hoopin’ and hollerin’ and people acting like foolish pagans. I didn’t hear any filthy language but I did hear a lot of “replacement” language. That’s language that one uses in place of the nasty words but means generally the same thing. I never attended another. I was shocked to see a lot of modest, and usually quiet men and women acting differently than I ever had seen them act before. Ironically, the message that night was “being in the center of God’s will.” There was no talk of God or of our beautiful Savior and LORD. Just 50 to 60 people verbosely and loudly hollering in unison. Please understand that I am not placing myself above sports fans or being godlier than others. I, like most everyone else, have distractions to battle on a daily basis. However, as followers of Christ, we must never faint or grow weary (Gal 6:9).
I am not going to get into a discussion whether or not Christians should attend sporting events, however, if one is a follower of Christ, let's point out just a few of many short scriptures found in our Guide-book, the Holy Bible. The word ‘Fool’ and Fools appears over 100 times in the KJV Bible so that should be cause to pay attention. The Book of Proverbs uses it many times. A fool can be a historical ‘jester or a clown’ but the Bible focuses on this definition: a person who acts unwisely. That can pertain to all of us. I personally have found myself acting ‘unwisely’ at times in my life however, with God’s help, I am able to avoid this manner of behavior. The Bible reads, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” Col 4:5-6).
People are watching us; that is those of us who profess to be followers of Christ.
My question is to Christians is this: Is this the way you want to be portrayed to the world?
Dressing up as a clown or jesters in the stands is not a good portrayal of a Christian. 1 Tim 4:12b, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. We are to be examples to other believers as well as the world or the unsaved. The Bible says for us to “be ye holy, for I am holy”. God said that. That is an order. Perhaps, if 1/10th of the zeal that one has for football and sporting events, would be used to promote God's word, multitudes would come to Christ.
Many ' proclaimed or professed Christians' will grab a hold of a Bible verse that they believe justifies their actions, but all need to ask themselves this question. How do my actions glorify God? Many Football / Sports fans who claim they are Christians remind me of that football being tossed & kicked down the field continually. The ball never stays in the same place. We as followers of Christ need to be steadfast (1 Cor 15:58) – dutifully firm / unwavering to the call of Christ our Savior and LORD. At times I think that IF even half the enthusiasm was turned toward winning souls that people have for football and sports, our nation would be seeing a great revival. That is my thought.
The world is watching as many NFL players are refusing to stand for the National Anthem and refusing to honor the flag or our country. However, most do not even honor our CREATOR - the Almighty GOD, NOT because they refuse to stand for the flag, BUT because of their actions on and off the field. It's their personal choice, just as receiving Christ is any individual's personal choice. But, I don’t see a lot of difference with ‘so-called believers’ in the audience and the 'world'.
Our actions out in public, display our faith, or the “lack of faith". 1 Cor 6:20 reads, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's”. If one desires to hang with crowds that enjoy revelry (noisy partying) while drinking swill and using questionable language, that person is displaying to the world that ‘there is no difference between the saved and the lost'. Some like to participate in sports because they say it profits the body. Nothing wrong with that but what is more important is Godliness. 1 Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Galatians 5:25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit, HE will not allow us to walk in revelry. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting (revelry) and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying (Rom 13:13). One of the definitions of “rioting” in the Bible is “unrestrained behavior.” To me, that pin-points the behavior of the over-zealous football fans acting like jesters in the stands, wearing paint and their favorite player’s jersey, dressing absurdly, and screaming at the top of their lungs. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Ti 2:2). But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (which means precious in the sight of God - 1 Pet 3:4) And to those of us who are Christians, we are 'princes & princesses'. Note verse 3 (1 Tim 2:3) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Good and acceptable. I like that!
Those who choose to be “Football Christians” just know that it is your choice and I recognize that. But just remember also what Jesus says in John 12:26 “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor”. There is nothing more special in this world than to receive ‘honor’ from our Father in heaven. Jesus Christ, who was sent by God to pay our sin debt on the cross is alive today and sitting in heaven. Ask yourselves this please. Where is my heart? And who do I belong to? Jesus will be coming back to get us soon. Shouldn’t we be spending our time “serving Him?” Are you able to hear His voice? (Rev 3:20) (John 10:27)
If you are not sure that heaven will be your home, or where you will go after you leave this earth, call upon Him today. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved (Read Rom 10:9-13) . Please don’t waste another minute, life is short. Confess, believe, repent and follow.
Gary Waddell - Thanks for "Taking 5" - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee
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