The Big Game!
By now the whole world knows that the Seattle Seahawks were beaten
by th Pittsburg Steelers. So much for the Super Bowl!
(Coach and team member) Before the game, I can imagine the coach saying
something like this to his team …
“The super bowl is truly great and the opportunities to play in it
are few. Therefore pray that the whole team will be ready for the game.
Go your way, behold, I send you out to win against a strong team of players.”
Perhaps that isn’t what the coaches said, but I know this is what Jesus
said before the great Super Bowl event in Luke.
Luke 10:2-3
" The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your
way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Now, before we get into the story of the Super Bowl in Luke 10, we
have to understand where this team came from. First of all there was
an investor who desired to own a winning team. It was God the Father
who said, “Let us make man in our Own image.” Then there is the team
manager, Jesus, who oversees the operation, “In Him was life, and the
life was the Light of men.” Then there is the Coach, the Holy Spirit
who will “Teach you all things.” Then there is the team … that is you
and me.
Listen to the words Jesus spoke. You can read His words in the Play
Book, the Book He design for all of us to play by. We call it a Bible.
His game plan had winning in mind, just like those NFL teams have winning
in mind. But what was it He expected? The Harvest! He expected men and
women to believe in Him and have a covenant relationship with their Father
in Heaven! That is His singular goal! That is the winning strategy!
In football, winning is the only thing. Second place is never the goal!
In Christ, the Harvest is the only thing. Did you know the management,
Jesus Christ, has never changed the game plan! But, let me ask … do we
still have the same game plan for our team … the one called Emmanuel
Church? Is that the game plan in your personal play book? The Harvest?
The Harvest is what church is all about. Coming in second isn’t in
the plan. The game isn’t about our church services … although that is
a part of it … it just isn’t the central part. The Harvest is the central
part. It isn’t about the activities we create, or the music we sing,
or the sermons we preach, although all of that is part of it … none of
those are the central part. The Harvest is central. We are a part of
that Harvest … but the Harvest has not ended!
Look back at the text. Jesus said, The harvest truly is great, but
the laborers are few… The laborers. Those are the team members! With
an affluent owner, a good manager, a strong coach; the game is actually
in the hand of the team members!
A good football team has an offensive team with a good quarter back,
strong blockers, and some fast running receivers to catch the ball. The
captain of the team receives the play from the coach and tells the team
members how to play each down, and the team executes the play. Plus,
they have a heavy hitting defense team that has quick rushers to quickly
invade the opposite team. It’s up to each team member whether offensive
or defensive to do his part … to hike the ball, throw the ball, and catch
the ball, to run, to block or tackle. Everyone has a specific job to
do! And when they do it in an excellent manner … they win!
In the Bible, the analogy which the Apostle Paul gave to us was of
a human body. In order to function properly we need each part! Two eyes,
two ears, a nose, a mouth, teeth to munch with, a neck and shoulders,
arms, hands, fingers, a body with all its working parts, legs, feet,
and toes! If we have some part missing … or if everyone wants to all
be the same part … of if some parts refuse to function … we are handicapped.
Whether it’s a football team, or a physical body, or a church, the
effectiveness of what we do is directly related to how well the team
works together if we are to win the game. The Owner, our Father, has
all the resources we need. The Manager, Jesus Christ, creates relationship
between the owner and the team. The Coach is ever present to teach us
and direct us. The game is up to the team.
Listen to the specifics in the game plan of Luke 10. Jesus said,
Luke 10
4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along
the road.
5 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not,
it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they
give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to
house.
8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are
set before you.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come
near to you.'
The first order of business is to “release the stuff.” Carry neither…
Have you ever been burdened down with “stuff?” The disciples were not
to carry extra money, food, or clothing! I understand that we need to
have a plan for living, but too often we are overcome with “stuff.” Sometimes
its emotional baggage, sometimes its past failures, sometimes it’ an
attempt to impress others … but whatever it is … get rid of the stuff!
The second order of business was “don’t get distracted.” Greet no one
… We humans seem to be so distractible! When we stop to listen to the
chatter of negative people, we take time to interact, and then we easily
lose our sense of direction. It’s easy to find ourselves worrying, fretting,
and involving ourselves with things the God will take care of without
our help … and we can’t seem to remember what it was that we started
out to do in the first place. So don’t get distracted!
Release the stuff. Don’t get distracted. The third thing Jesus told
them was, “Seek the peace of God.” Say, 'Peace … Don’t seek fame or fortune,
don’t seek the opinion of whiners and complainers, don’t seek your own
will, and list goes on … but seek the peace of God! When God has given
you a task to do He goes ahead of you and prepares the heart of those
who He is calling to Himself. When you arrive at the place God has chosen
for you, there is peace! It may look like chaos to everyone else … but
it will speak peace in your heart. Seek God’s peace!
Release the stuff. Don’t get distracted. Seek the peace of God. Then
Jesus said to “be consistent.” Remain in the same house … To win the
Super Bowl you can’t sit out some of the games and decide to play some
others. Don’t be pushed around by your emotions! Stay in the game regardless
of your feelings!
And don’t be switching teams from week to week, even if you don’t like
all the team members who play on your team. Did you know that the football
team doesn’t select who is on their team? The management and coaches
select the players … not the team! The team is given the responsibility
of learning how to play together! Just like the body of Christ!
Don’t panic when things don’t seem to be going well! God is still in
control! Fear is the source of a multitude of bad decisions! Sit down
and find the peace that you began with! God has not deserted you … so
be consistent … don’t desert Him!
Release the stuff. Don’t get distracted. Seek the peace of God. Be
consistent. Then Jesus said, “Play to score.” Heal the sick there, and
say, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' When you are on the winning
team you have the power and the message! Our “Coach” isn’t standing on
the side lines telling us what we should do … He is living inside of
us giving us supernatural power to do it! Heal the sick and tell them
about Jesus! That’s where the goal line is! Play to score!
The seventy men sent by Jesus did what He told them to do … and they
won!
Luke 10
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons
are subject to us in Your name."
18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt
you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject
to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
That is better than winning the Super Bowl. You get more than a trophy
and a ring; you get a “well done” from the Coach, the Management, and
the Owner! All of us like a pat on the back but imagine having the Creator
of the Universe say, “Atta boy!” It doesn’t get much better than that!
Plus, you have authority over any team that comes against you, and then
you get to move into the Owners home with Him! Everything that belongs
to the Father is ours because of Jesus. In the 2002 Patriots/Dolphins
game a field goal changed the game to a 27-24 win for the Patriots in
the final seconds. So don’t quit now!
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