Lessons from Football

Lessons From Football – Persistence

December 7, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 25, 2013

The plan in a football game is for the team, working together, to move the football down the field to hopefully cross the goal line and score a touchdown. This is accomplished by a variety of running and passing plays which are designed to gain a maximum number of yards. However, most of the time, the plays do not work perfectly because each player does not perfectly execute his assignment. The opposing players have something to do with that because they’re goal is to stop you from gaining any yards and even to cause you to lose ground. Sometimes the team will score a quick touchdown by gaining a lot of yards on one play but usually they consistently move the ball down the field 2-3 yards at a time. It would be nice to score each time you run a play but usually it takes a lot of work, time and effort to achieve your goal. Grind out the yards, suffer an occasional setback, but keep moving forward toward the goal line.

The Christian life is very similar. Our plan is to work together as a church, moving through life toward the goal of entering Heaven. There are a variety of ways to do this; Bible study, prayer, church attendance, working with fellow believers, practicing our faith all the while listening to God. Sometime it’s harder to do because our “teammates” are off doing their own thing or not following the design of the play. And of course, we have opposition, the devil and his team who are always trying to impede our progress. We may sometimes make good gains but many times it’s the day to day hard work and effort to stick with the plan and keep steadily moving forward.

But one day, if we persist, we will be victorious and enter Heaven. We will have won the prize, (see Philippians 3:14). The great cloud of witnesses in the stands of Heaven will erupt in cheers as we enter the gates. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1). Listen to the coach, practice and study, play hard, work as a team and let’s win this thing!

Lessons from Football – Part 4, The Coach

November 23, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 11, 2013

The football coach; sometimes you praise him, sometimes you question his decisions, but you know he always has the best interests of the team in mind. He’s the guy who puts his players through all kinds of hard, and many times, painful drills with the goal of preparing them to face the opponent. “No pain, no gain!” He says. He teaches them all the rules so they can play the game without being penalized which would give the other team an advantage. He gives them team rules of conduct which are for their benefit as players and individuals but also that they might represent the team in a positive light. The coach, he leads the team with the help of a group of assistants who follow his lead to accomplish their common goals which include athletic and personal improvement, integrity, sportsmanship and ultimately, victory. However, to achieve these goals, the players have to submit to the coach; they have to do what he says, follow his rules, and do their best to support him, their fellow players, and those who follow the team.

God; sometimes we praise Him but sometimes we question or don’t understand His decisions but we must know that He always has our best interests at heart. If we choose to be on His team, He will put us through all kinds of hard and painful training in order to be successful for His “team” and to defeat the enemy, the devil. Through God’s word, the Bible, and prayer, He will teach us His way so we can be effective in the game of life and please “the Coach”. His way will not only benefit us but our team members and all who are a part of the team. God leads His team with the help of His assistants…who are the players! Their loyalty and service makes them better “players” and helps the team to victory. We have to choose to be on God’s team, to submit to His rules, and support Him. “Put me in Coach.” “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall now want…He leads me in paths of righteousness…I will fear no evil for Thou art with me…surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord…Forever.” (From Psalm 23).

Lessons From Football, Part 3 – Comittment

November 10, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 3, 2013

There are three types of people who are involved in a football game, really four. First, many people choose NOT to be involved in the game. They stay home and do their own thing; they don’t have any interest in the game or other things in their lives take precedence. They’re not committed to the game at all.

Second, there are those who go to the game. They may wear their team’s colors, sit in the stands with other like-minded folks and cheer their team on to victory…they hope. They’re committed to the team and take part in the game, but from a distance…where they’re sitting.

Third, attending this game are the players. They’re on the team, wear the team equipment, have been through a training process, and are willing to do whatever they can, with the talents they have, to promote the success of the team. These players are under the direction of the coach who has put them through some hard drills but they’re willing to do it because they have a deeper commitment to the team.

Finally, on this team, there are those who do most of the playing; the first team. They’re usually more experienced, stronger, and have put in the time and effort to get to the athletic level required to be successful against their opponent. They get in the game. They get to use what they’ve previously learned in practice in the game. They’re not just on the team, standing on the sidelines, but have made the greatest personal commitment to the success of the team.

If you go back and read the four types of commitments, you’ll see that they’re the same as those involved in the game of life. Some don’t care about the game (church); some go to the game (church) but only watch from the stands (seats). Others have chosen to be on the team but spend most of their time on the sidelines. Then, there are those who have made the commitment to get the job done (God’s plan). Do you see yourself in any of these categories? “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). That’s the commitment Jesus wants.

Lessons from Football – Part 2, Team Gear

November 2, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 27, 2013

How can you tell who someone’s favorite team is? Can you tell by just by looking at and listening to them? If they are passionate about “their” team, yes you can. They will have their “team gear” displayed for all to see. They’ll, of course, have their team jersey and maybe a cap, shirt, gloves, pants, hoodie, and I’ve even seen advertised team underwear, (hopefully not on display). They’ll have their team jewelry, mail box, yard flag, vehicle banner, car tag, and children’s clothes. Cups, key chains, decals, tote bags, blankets, chairs and umbrellas for their team whether in youth league, high school, college, or the pros. They love their team!

And listen to them talk on the days leading up to the big game. They’re team is the best and the opponent is, well, we won’t say. On game day, they’re at the game or watching on TV cheering, screaming, waving their hands, clapping, jumping up and down pushing their team on to victory. Their team is very important to them and everyone around knows it. They follow their team on ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, in the news, and learn all they can. They know the players, their lives and treat them as personal friends. They love their team. Do you know anyone like this? Are you like this?

What if we had the same passion for Team Jesus?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,” (Luke 10:27).

Lessons from Football – The Field

October 21, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 19, 2013

We are in the middle of football season on many levels and many people are into the game. This week we will begin a series of articles on some Biblical lessons we can learn from the sport of football. Ready? Hike!

First, let’s look at the field. It’s 100 yards long with yard markers every ten yards and areas at each end called end zones. One end zone is defended by one team and the other end zone by the other team. Each team’s name or logo is painted in their end zone. Do we have a mental picture of the field?

Now picture this: In one end zone, the devil and his demons are all gathered. On the opposite end, God and His angels are standing. We see many people standing on the fifty yard line looking both ways trying to make a decision on which end zone they will move toward. The devil’s bunch is hollering and waving from their end for the people to move toward them. They’re making all kinds of good-sounding promises if people will come join them. (Actually, the devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy them, (John 10:10)). On the other side, God is just holding out His arms with love shining out from His eyes saying, “I love you, come to me, I’ll make everything alright.” (Matthew 11:28). Which way should the people go?

As some start moving toward God, some of the demons run around, get in their way, and try to lie and trick them into turning around. As some move toward the devil, God’s small, Still voice whispers in their ear, “Don’t do this, it’s not what I made you for, (Jeremiah 29:11), turn around and come to me.” Some keep moving, some stop to think, some turn and go in the opposite direction. As we look at the field, we see many people between the 50 yard line and the goal line on both ends. Where are they going to end up? Where are you on the field? The clock is running down.