In Christ Alone!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Tonight will be a little different

we are talking about only two verses and I want to read you a story.

I could paraphrase it and make it shorter, but I really want to share the whole message of this man

This story comes from Frank Reich, a former NFL back-up Quarter Back with the Bills who went to the super Bowl 4 years in a row while he was there.

As I warmed up my car on a cold Buffalo morning, I readied myself for a drive to Rich Stadium where I was to start my first NFL playoff game. This particular day, January 3, 1993, we were playing the Houston Oilers in an AFC wildcard game.

As the windows of my car were defrosting, I listened to a song I had heard at least 100 times that week. The song was “In Christ Alone,” performed by Michael English, lyrics by Shawn Craig, and music by Don Koch. I sat and listened again to the words and music which had so inspired me all week long. With the song ending and the windows fully defrosted, I was ready for my short drive to Rich Stadium. But, instead of heading for the game, I sat and listened to the song again and again.

Finally, I pulled a tablet from my playbook and wrote down the words to that incredible song. I sensed God telling me that somehow He wanted me to share that song with someone that day. Perhaps it would be with a teammate, friend, or even a stranger. But right there in my car, I promised God I would obey.

Well, little did I realize what God had planned.

We won our game against Houston 41-38 in overtime. A game in which we were losing 35-3 midway through the 3rd quarter. A game now known as the greatest comeback in NFL history.

As I stood behind the podium before the mass of media at the post-game press conference, it was very clear to me just how God intended me to share that powerful song. To start the press conference, I read these words.

In Christ alone will I glory, Though I could pride myself in battle won. For I have been blessed beyond measure, And by His strength alone I overcome. Oh, I could stop and count successes, Like diamonds in my hand. But those trophies could not equal, to the grace by which I stand.

In Christ alone, I place my trust, And find my glory in the power of the cross. In every victory, let it be said of me, My source of strength, my source of hope, Is Christ alone.

In Christ alone will I glory, For only by His grace, I am redeemed And only His tender mercy, could reach Beyond my weakness to my need. Now, I seek no greater honor than just to know Him more And to count my gains but losses, and to the Glory of my Lord.

Behind all the hoopla surrounding the greatest comeback in NFL history, you could hear the question being asked, was God on the Bills’ side for that game? The answer, of course, was yes! But let me also say, God was on the Houston Oilers’ side as well. You might say, well how could that be since the Bills won? Let me use this illustration. As the father of two girls (Lia and Aviry), I love them both very much. When they play a game together, as their father, I am not concerned with who wins and who loses. What is most important is that they learn the lessons they are to be taught from playing the game. Many times, I will even help determine the outcome of their game. This helps to get a point across to one or both girls.

In the same way, God looks at us as His children. He doesn’t care who wins or loses a football game, but only that we learn from each contest and draw closer to Him as a result of what we have learned.

The song, “In Christ Alone,” has been special to me in many ways. It definitely encouraged me to have the strength and the courage to come back against the Oilers. But as I would learn almost a month later, the song had a much deeper message for me to learn. You see, after our crushing 52-17 loss to the Cowboys in SuperBowl XXVII, I was devastated. The devastation was compounded by the fact that I had played more than half of the game. I couldn’t understand how God could allow us to get beat like that, especially after the Houston miracle. I was flying home from Pasadena when I realized the answer. For the first two hours of the trip, I was going crazy trying to figure out why the SuperBowl went the way it did.

Finally, I could take it no longer. I realized I could be asking the same questions the rest of my life. I needed some peace of mind. The only thing I could think to do was to put on my headset and listen to “In Christ Alone.” I sought comfort from the song which gave me peace during the stressful week prior to the Houston game. The message I was now hearing was that we can experience victory in all our circumstances through Jesus Christ. He gives us the strength and hope to overcome all odds.

Looking back on both the Houston game and the Super Bowl, I realize the circumstances I had to overcome were nothing compared to what so many hurting people face on a daily basis. That is why when I think of the song, “In Christ Alone,” I think of how it inspired me and worked miracles in my life. I get even more excited about how it can encourage and inspire others whose trials are much more difficult than those I’ve written about.

My hope and prayer is that people everywhere will find Jesus as their source of strength and their source of hope.

Before we reflect on this, let’s read our text starting in verse 1

The New International Version Chapter 6

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.” z

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

What is it to receive God’s grace in vain?

it is receiving it without content.

Frank’s story reveals that he initially understood God’s plan for him.

however, as time went on, his focus became more about the games, and his career and not the message God wanted him to hear and share.

Many false teachers were teaching different information than what Paul was teaching.

so the Corinthians listening to and following these men, were receiving God’s grace in vain.

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary (2nd Ed.) a. An Appeal for Reconciliation (6:1–13)

salvation for them. If ‘today’ is the time of God’s favour, it is imperative that people respond to his grace ‘today

it is today for us and it is today for those we know.

We cannot be afraid to share His word

We can no longer hide behind our own self doubt.

Close