Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN

Hebrews 12:1-3

Super Bowl Christian Tonight is the big game, but we

appreciate your decision to be here

There are many people that are involved in tonight’s game

There will be thousands of people sitting in the stands, watching the game

Super Bowl Christian We might consider those people lucky

since they can watch things live and in person

There will be many members of the media there

They will be reporting on the game and giving us every angle of it

Super Bowl Christian There will also be a great number of

former NFL greats at that game

Those who have won Super Bowls themselves as players

They will be watching and critiquing the teams and participants of the game

Super Bowl Christian Then there are the participants in

tonight’s game

They are really the center of attention of all who are interested

They are who matter the most when it comes to the outcome of tonight’s match up

Super Bowl Christian We find ourselves in the Super Bowl

of Life

Paul acknowledged this in Philippians 3:13-14

“press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

Are You In The Stands? Are you merely a spectator to what is

going on in the Super Bowl of Life?

Sadly, many simply sit and watch as all the action goes on before their eyes

They don’t participate in the service, nor in the work of the church

Are You In The Stands? Jesus said that we cannot sit by and

watch

That’s what the priest and the Levite did in Luke 10

We must do for others (Matt. 25)

We should be doers of the word, not hearers only (Js. 1:22; Matt. 7:24-27)

Are You In The Stands? I Jn. 3:18 – “My little children, let us

not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

What’s more important, what we say or what we do?

In order to love in deed, we have to get out of the stands

Are You In The Media? There are some who might be

members of the media

They spend all their time reporting on what brother so-and-so is doing, or what sister so-and-so said

They are busy reporting all the latest news and gossip on the lives of others

Are You In The Media? Paul said to work out your own

salvation in Phil. 2:12

That was the point of Matt. 7:1, not that we cannot judge, but that we need to be careful that we judge righteously after getting our own lives in order

Does talking about someone help?

Are You In The Media? II Thess. 3:11; I Tim. 5:13

These verses warn against busybodies

If we are busy in the Lord’s work, loving people and trying to help others, we will not have the time, energy, nor desire to talk about them!

Are You In The Game? What God wants for you and I is to be

participants in the game

I Cor. 15:58 – “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Paul’s wish for all is to be involved!

Are You In The Game? We tend to feel more a part of the

Lord’s body when we join in the work

I’ve never met a person who has been heavily involved in the work at a congregation that feels dissatisfied and detached

I’ve met many who aren’t involved who feel that way though

Remember The Greats! Just like there are those former NFL

greats in attendance, we “are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1)

We think about those who have come before us and the hard work they put in and the sacrifices they have made

Remember The Greats! Those examples should inspire us

and motivate us to want to do more for the Lord!

Remember that you too serve as an example to others as well

There are and will be those who look up to you in the church