So, is there anything interesting on TV tonight? (Laughter from the congregation)
How many of you are watching the game? (About 75%)
How many are watching the commercials? (About 82%)
Well, for those of you real football fans, and for the ones that just pretend to be one Sunday a year, this is a pretty big deal. The Patriots are undefeated thus far with a record of 18 wins and 0 losses. There is much conversation about if this team is one of the best ever, they have a pretty quarterback and a wide receiver that has the speed of Nike. For the past six weeks, sports commentators have pontificated and postured concerning the merits of this juggernaut from New England. Rumor is that the Patriots have attempted to secure the patent on the phrase 19-0 and also the phrase "The Perfect Season." To me all this attention is quite foolish.
For one who appreciates the English language and the power of words, the idea of a "perfect season" is foolish and impossible.
What does perfect mean?
How many of you are watching the game? (About 75%)
How many are watching the commercials? (About 82%)
Well, for those of you real football fans, and for the ones that just pretend to be one Sunday a year, this is a pretty big deal. The Patriots are undefeated thus far with a record of 18 wins and 0 losses. There is much conversation about if this team is one of the best ever, they have a pretty quarterback and a wide receiver that has the speed of Nike. For the past six weeks, sports commentators have pontificated and postured concerning the merits of this juggernaut from New England. Rumor is that the Patriots have attempted to secure the patent on the phrase 19-0 and also the phrase "The Perfect Season." To me all this attention is quite foolish.
For one who appreciates the English language and the power of words, the idea of a "perfect season" is foolish and impossible.
What does perfect mean?
Does it mean undefeated?
Does it mean meet all challenges and survive unscathed?
Does it mean winners of some football games?
Perfect means--Without error, no mistakes, no "oops", no "I did not mean to's" , and no "I'm sorry's." Perfect means flawless, without blemish and spot.
I have watched almost all of the Patriot games, and none of them have been perfect. There are always a few overthrows or dropped passes. There are a few fumbles and some missed tackles. There are false starts and holding penalties and a few personal fouls. Missed field goals and shanked punts; I think you understand. The term "perfect" is being used a bit too foolishly and loosely.
Paul talks a bit about foolishness in this mornings scripture passage in 1 Corinthians beginning with verse eighteen.
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say,"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."
We think we know things, we think we have a grasp on things, the Patriots think they are unbeatable. Most of the media have already crowned them CHAMPS. Remember, even IF they win, they will not be perfect. Watch tonight, enjoy the game and see the flaws that are there in both teams.
Football is a sport built on the premise that if you lift weights, condition your body for speed and agility, memorize the plays, and execute--then success will usually follow.
Sadly, we seem to think the same thing about our relationship with God. If we go to church, read the bible, pray, and do nice things then we will gain an advantage in the eyes of God. Foolish indeed.
Just this week, I went to the post office. There were three empty parking spaces and I whipped the land yacht into the middle one. I went inside and checked the P.O. box and sat back in the car and began to open up the mail. Sometimes I do this, I could wait until I get home, but I often do not. BAM!! A little old lady opened up her car door and smacked the fool out of my car. I immediately raised up and prepared to get out and let her have a piece of my mind. I saw her then, shuffling her wobbly legs slowly, as she squirmed between the small space between our cars. She was unstable and could barely see. I waited on her to clear the front of my car. I wanted to blow the HORN. But I found myself backing up and driving away, angry at God. He always seems to teach me stuff, I guess that is good, but sometimes I wish my ignorance and Foolishness was not so obvious.
Perfection and Christ are synonymous. We try to earn the good spot with God. We think he keeps score when we do good things and pass up the bad. The good news of the Gospel is that in Christ we are forgiven--even if we blow the horn at old women.
Perfect means--Without error, no mistakes, no "oops", no "I did not mean to's" , and no "I'm sorry's." Perfect means flawless, without blemish and spot.
I have watched almost all of the Patriot games, and none of them have been perfect. There are always a few overthrows or dropped passes. There are a few fumbles and some missed tackles. There are false starts and holding penalties and a few personal fouls. Missed field goals and shanked punts; I think you understand. The term "perfect" is being used a bit too foolishly and loosely.
Paul talks a bit about foolishness in this mornings scripture passage in 1 Corinthians beginning with verse eighteen.
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say,"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."
We think we know things, we think we have a grasp on things, the Patriots think they are unbeatable. Most of the media have already crowned them CHAMPS. Remember, even IF they win, they will not be perfect. Watch tonight, enjoy the game and see the flaws that are there in both teams.
Football is a sport built on the premise that if you lift weights, condition your body for speed and agility, memorize the plays, and execute--then success will usually follow.
Sadly, we seem to think the same thing about our relationship with God. If we go to church, read the bible, pray, and do nice things then we will gain an advantage in the eyes of God. Foolish indeed.
Just this week, I went to the post office. There were three empty parking spaces and I whipped the land yacht into the middle one. I went inside and checked the P.O. box and sat back in the car and began to open up the mail. Sometimes I do this, I could wait until I get home, but I often do not. BAM!! A little old lady opened up her car door and smacked the fool out of my car. I immediately raised up and prepared to get out and let her have a piece of my mind. I saw her then, shuffling her wobbly legs slowly, as she squirmed between the small space between our cars. She was unstable and could barely see. I waited on her to clear the front of my car. I wanted to blow the HORN. But I found myself backing up and driving away, angry at God. He always seems to teach me stuff, I guess that is good, but sometimes I wish my ignorance and Foolishness was not so obvious.
Perfection and Christ are synonymous. We try to earn the good spot with God. We think he keeps score when we do good things and pass up the bad. The good news of the Gospel is that in Christ we are forgiven--even if we blow the horn at old women.
We have been given the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ!
Imagine if God showed up tonight and gave the Lombardi Trophy to the Giants. Not after the game but before. We know that will not happen because God is a Dallas Cowboy Fan. (Laughter)If God gave the trophy to The Giants without playing that would be grossly unfair.
Imagine if God showed up tonight and gave the Lombardi Trophy to the Giants. Not after the game but before. We know that will not happen because God is a Dallas Cowboy Fan. (Laughter)If God gave the trophy to The Giants without playing that would be grossly unfair.
Now what if the game was played and the Giants were terrible but in the end they were given the trophy anyway? "Not fair--they need to work for it--they must earn it", perhaps you are thinking.
But this morning we come to the Table of Christ to experience the mystery of salvation. We have tried to play the game, and fail all the time. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are given the gift of immeasurable worth. We are given an identity in Christ, we are adopted into the family of God, we are given abundant life here and eternal life in the loving presence of the King.
New England is not perfect, neither are we---oh, but Christ was, is and will always be! Our only Wisdom and Hope is in him. Any other thinking is foolish.
***FYI***
New York Giants 17
New England Patriots 14
But this morning we come to the Table of Christ to experience the mystery of salvation. We have tried to play the game, and fail all the time. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are given the gift of immeasurable worth. We are given an identity in Christ, we are adopted into the family of God, we are given abundant life here and eternal life in the loving presence of the King.
New England is not perfect, neither are we---oh, but Christ was, is and will always be! Our only Wisdom and Hope is in him. Any other thinking is foolish.
***FYI***
New York Giants 17
New England Patriots 14
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