There will be over 100 million people watch this year’s Super Bowl. In comparison only 32 million people watched the most recent State of the Union Address from our president. There are at least three different groups of people … the spectators (these are watching just because it is the NFL, and let’s be honest, some are watching just for the commercials); the fans (some are fans of football in general and others are fans of either of the two competing teams); and finally there are the actual participants (only 106 total players, plus coaches, trainers, etc).
I see the same categories in our churches and in American Christianity.
Some are mere spectators.
1. Spectators sit back and watch where it is comfortable.
2. Spectators cheer if they agree and boo if they disagree.
3. Spectators forget about the game shortly after it is over.
Many are fans.
1. Fans are faithful, they don’t generally conform (they identify with their team).
2. Fans are spenders, they don’t withhold (people will always spend on “their team”)
3. Fans are tireless, they don’t rest (do whatever it takes for however long it takes)
4. Fans are loyal, they don’t switch (generally they can’t stand “fair weather” fans)
5. Fans are passionate, they don’t give up (it’s not over until the clock says “0”)
But God wants us to be more than spectators and even fans … He wants us in the game.
“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. Every time a football player goes to play his trade he’s got to play from the ground up-from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play.” – Vince Lombardi
1. A Super Bowl Christian has desire.
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi
2. A Super Bowl Christian has discipline.
“The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.” – Tom Landry
3. A Super Bowl Christian has commitment and focus.
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” “Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.” – Vince Lombardi
4. A Super Bowl Christian has sacrifice.
“Success is like anything worthwhile. It has a price. You have to pay the price to win and you have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible. Most important, you must pay the price to stay there.” “Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price that each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” – Vince Lombardi
Randy Harp 