Football Stewardship

This is my sermon for the 2nd week of our 4 week stewardship campaign.  Our focus for this week was "Giving God our Worship." 

 

 

This Sunday is the day that sets the stage for one of the most religious days of the year.

In two weeks people will get dressed in their Sunday best. 

They will prepare the meal…they will begin their annual pilgrimage.

Some will pray…some will sing…some might even cry.

They will gather in community and laugh and cheer and celebrate.

In 2 weeks people will put on their favorite football jersey…

They will prepare their favorite dips or appetizers…

They will drive to the local bar or maybe a friend’s house…

They will pray for one more touchdown or perhaps a last second field goal…

They will sing “We are the Champions…”

Some might shed tears of joy or sadness depending on the outcome.

They will gather with family, friends and maybe even strangers…they will cheer…they will give high fives…AND they will celebrate.

If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m not talking about church.  I’m talking about the religion of football.  In 2 weeks the religion of football will celebrate their Christmas or Easter.  They will celebrate the birth of a new champion or mourn the loss of their team.  The Super Bowl is just 2 weeks away.

What if we were to worship God like we watch football?  In some ways church has less obstacles.

God doesn’t care what you wear to church.  You can wear a suit…pants…shorts…clean or dirty…it doesn’t matter.  Try wearing a Bears Jersey to a Packers game or worse a Cowboys jersey to an Eagles game.

You don’t even need to prepare any food…we have cookies, coffee and the best meal of all…the Lord’s Supper.

When you get here…we have plenty of good seats.

We will gather together in community, pray together, sing together, and we might even cry together.

We have the better party in all areas but one…the Super Bowl party has more celebration/excitement.

I want you all to close your eyes for a minute and imagine this:

Imagine the call to worship as a coach giving a pregame speech…and the players responding.  Imagine the passion and energy…

Imagine singing our opening hymn and feeling all the excitement you feel during the singing of the national anthem. 

Imagine closing prayers with Amen and readings with Thanks be to God as if your team just scored a touchdown.

Imagine passing the peace as though your team just returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown…you’re high-fiving people you’ve never met.

Imagine taking communion and feeling full.  Not full because you ate too many hot wings or cocktail wienies…full because nothing is more fulfilling than Christ.

Imagine singing the closing hymn with the passion you sing “We are the Champions” as you celebrate a Super Bowl victory.   

Imagine how different worship would be.  Imagine how exciting…how energizing worship would be. 

Showing up on Sunday should not be like crossing a chore off the to-do list.  Sunday worship is not a task to be completed.

Last week we talked about ways to improve our own personal relationship with God.  Today we need to look at ways to improve our relationship with God in the form of worship. 

So because last week went so well…let’s again share with someone sitting near you…What is essential to worship in your eyes and why? Maybe it’s singing, prayers, communion, the sermon or maybe the fellowship?  There is no right or wrong answer.  The second question…During what part of worship do you feel closest to God?

Regardless of your answers I pray that each of you consider how to improve your personal relationship with God through worship. 

Super Bowl Sunday only happens once a year…but we have the opportunity to celebrate God every Sunday in this space…in this community.

AMEN