Why We Play the Game

We had guest preacher, Pastor Todd Tolson this last Sunday and he told us about a time in his youth football coaching when it was fourth down and 80 years to go with seconds left on the clock. When the odds are stacked against you on the last play of the game, do you give 100% of yourself as an individual and as a team, or do you just give up? It is then that you realize that the best moment is not the moment that you win; it’s just before. When you know what you are up against and get up there anyway. That is truly working hard and leaving it all on the field. This life principle is true in all aspects of living also.

Matthew 16:13-15 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

What America really needs is for the church of Jesus Christ to be the church. When you do God’s mission, God’s way, you cannot lose. Who do other people say Jesus is? But, the real question is: Who do you say Jesus is? The most important question you will ever answer is this: “Is Jesus just a good option, or is He the only option? Was Jesus good among many good options? A good teacher? A good person? Is He a way to God and Heaven or the way (the one and only way). Another fact of life is that there are many options in life to numb and distract you and I from the pain (being physical or psychological). Why is you “go to option”, when you are in pain? For the Christian, it gets down to the fact that how seriously we take our purpose in life depends solely on how seriously we take Jesus, because, in reality, Jesus is the one who gives us our purpose and mission in life.

Matthew 16:16-17 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

All of us need to find something that you love to do so much that you’d gladly do it for free. Then, do it so good that someone else will gladly pay you to do it. God has wired us to do what our purpose is. Our purpose is to partner with Jesus in building His church. The church is not the Sanctuary or campus, but the church is the people of God; His family. IT’s not about building buildings; it’s about building people.

Matthew 16:18 “ Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

Gates are a defensive structure. The church is not a “holy huddle”, but is to go out and break down gates that keep people from the Lord and Savior of the world. Join Jesus is building His church, be a part of His family and be on mission. He is still inviting us today, but we cannot do it without Jesus, and He will not do it without us.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

“Go” is still our marching orders today. We are to be fully engaged in the cultural mandate and the great commission in the game of life. Reach people and build people; be good at both. Don’t expect people to act like a Christian until they are one. You have to catch a fish before you can clean it. Who is your “ONE”? You are the church; an Ambassador for Christ. Remember that when you do God’s mission, God’s way, you cannot lose. May all the glory be to God.

On that last play of the game, while everyone expected a long pass, Coach Tolson called for a running play to sweep left and the Fullback ran for a touchdown that won the game, but the best moment was not the moment they won the game; it was just before.

In Christ, Brian