Challenge to ER Football Team

Introduction: Hey guys, my name is Todd Nance, I have the privilege of being the pastor here at PCCC. We welcome you here and hope that you will enjoy the meal and make yourselves at home.

I’m excited to have you guys here because I’m an ER grad, class of 2001. Just like you guys, when I was in High School I couldn’t wait until Friday night to lace up my shoes and get out on that football field…of course I was in marching band, so my experience was a bit different! Still I love ER, and especially ER Football!

It’s on the subject of football that I want to speak today. I will need a bit of interaction from you guys first...

Where is my QB? Stand up.

Where is my O line?

You guys on the line, what is your job? To defend the line, protect the qb. What is an acceptable amount of loss? How much effort do you give?

Do you guys love football? Do you love your QB? Do you love your teammates?

Thank you gentlemen, have a seat.

We’re dealing with symbolism here, but you all understand what these men are saying. They are ready and willing to put the team before themselves. What motivates them? By their own words, they admit, it is the love they have for their team.

All of that is great, and that is why I personally look up to you guys so much, but the love you have for the game and for the team, pale next to the love of God for you. What does this look like from a biblical point of view?

Here is what Jesus said in John 15:12-17

John 15:12–17 (KJV 1900)

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? The love of God is the central theme for all of the Bible.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:10 KJV 1900

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:35 KJV 1900

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?