Don't Stand on the Sidelines

the dead to life.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)
When a football team takes the field, there are two teams, and every players takes the field already part of one or the other. No player walks onto the field undecided. In the battle for this world, there are two teams, and everyone is part of one or the other. There’s no such thing as being a spiritually undecided spectator.
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19)
When football teams compete for the prize, each player plays his position as part of the team effort. It is the team that wins, not any one player. In the real battle, the battle for the hearts and minds of this world,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Everyone wants to be part of a great team. Not just a good team, but a great one.
“It’s a sin to be good if God has called us to be great. Christians refer to Matthew 28:18-20 as the Great Commission not the Good Commission.” (Thom Rainer, author of “Break out Churches”)
I don’t think there is a better parallel between a football team and the church than when a football team comes together to pray. In the locker room or on the field, they call on God to be with them, to protect them, and to grant them victory.
Have you ever noticed, though, when a player on the other team is injured, all the players on BOTH teams will take a knee? That, I think, is when football is the best picture of the Church Christ wanted us to be. A love for all people, whether they are part of our team or not.
Most people, when asked to name their enemies, will have a laundry list of people. For some of you students, you might think the enemy is your parents, or maybe certain people at your school, or perhaps your school’s rivals.
If you asked most people to identify the enemies of the church, most would name a list of people. Terrorists. Other religions. Atheists. Some people believe that our enemy is divorce and broken homes, or violence and suicide, or pornography, or drugs and alcohol, or poverty and hunger, or abortion clinics.
It’s easy to take a narrow view of who our enemy is, but the truth is that none of these are the enemy of the church. The real war is not between people. It isn’t about money or disease, drugs or violence.
Its a war for your heart and mind – a war for your soul. There are two armies. At the head of one is God himself, creator of the universe. The one who shaped you before you were born in a special way so that your live could make a difference in this world. The one who took your punishment on himself so that you could have the opportunity to choose which army you will serve.
At the head of the other spiritual army is Satan. Satan hates you and would like nothing more than to destroy you.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Peter said that Satan is stalking your footsteps:
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. (1 Peter 5:8 MSG)
That’s why I think a football team is most like a church when it comes together and prays.
• When they acknowledge God.