2/3/08 Communion Message
A few years ago someone shared a little fact with me that changed my outlook on the Super Bowl.
Most people don't remember who won, unless it is their team, even then it becomes trivial very quickly--
What I am saying…If you at all get into it, there is a build-up of hype. For a minority, their team wins and they feel a sense of victory, but it very quickly becomes the most trivial thing till it comes around again.
Yet, it is arguably hyped up more than President's day, more than veterans day and memorial day, more than mother's day and father's day, more than MLK day and more than your own birthday, and definitely more than our country's Independence day!
Although about a 3rd will be watching more for the commercials than the game itself!
More food is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year except Thanksgiving, according to the American Institute of Food Distribution.
The National Retail Federation expects 3.9 million TV sets to be purchased in the days and weeks leading up to today's game.
Our society is weird! Everyone loves to jump on the hype ride!
Yeah, sure we get fired-up about that stuff too, but the Super Bowl just stands out as an even bigger celebration--the most watched event!
Today, we're very much like everyone else, where all of us are gathering together because the Super Bowl gives us a reason to party.
But we're not like everyone else because we all have in common something very significant!
What am I alluding to? We're all a part of the same church?
We all have Jesus in our lives--to whatever extent for you I don't know--but I can guarantee by standing here talking about Him, we all have Jesus in our lives!
Who here has seen the movie 300? Who here has seen the movie Troy? Who here has seen the movie Gladiator? Who hear has read Shakespeare's Henry V? Who hear has been moved by a great war movie?
As years go on it seems to need more hype and sensationalism--examples of sixpacs, cinematography, unrealistic battle scenes--It is how legends are made!
It all appeals to our childlike imagination -- you all are fascinated by some kind of fantasy and action -- if it is not war movies, sports, it is sci-fi thriller (intergalactic battle), even chic flicks have action!
As far as old stories, your heart may be moved -- I'm personally moved by seeing he struggles of humans who have gone before me!
Great old stories of overcoming and of victory especially feed something in my soul!
But does it change me to see the million man march up to capitol hill? Does it change me to see the great bravery of men and women who have fought for political freedoms? Does it change me to hear about great men and women who did great feats, men and woman who changed history with their convictions?
I think it becomes a little part of me, but I think it is so much more common that it all becomes trivial.
What does that mean "something becomes trivial"?
It doesn't mean insignificant, but rather filed as fact without affecting me emotionally.
It happens to all of us.
Sure you may be moved by the same inspiring stories every time you pop it in the DVD player, but it is rare that any of it will really stick with you emotionally for the rest of your life.
For example, I don't easily get emotional thinking or talking about WWII just because I watched a movie or heard about it from my grandpa, but my grandpa can easily shed tears thinking of it!
<Turn your Bible's> We're going to read a few verses that tell us the story of victory and overcoming through Jesus.
Colossians 2:13-15
13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Public--happening in the middle of a very large city! Just like the Super Bowl, it caused quite a stir!
It is fact that Jesus die on the cross, an innocent man murdered by your sin (made guilty by your guilt)!
However, the story is one of overcoming that which stands mostly opposed to us--our sin--the power of its condemnation!
The story is one of the greatest victory, for everyone who sees their need for His forgiveness and chooses to be His winning team!
We all get the chance to partake in the communion, where we remember Jesus--remembering who He was in His life, what He did for us on the cross, and the lasting impact He has with His resurrection!
Today and everyday we celebrate the great feat of our Lord, which is never trivial with us who are on His team, the winning team! Because we also
press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me!
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