A Super Bowl Church

A Super Bowl Church

Ephesians 6:10-18

Well it’s Super Bowl Sunday again and the Cardinals and Steelers are pumped up and ready to play in the worlds’ biggest game on the world’s biggest stage.

The game will be witnessed by millions if not billions of people worldwide.

Multitudes will tune in and witness two teams engage in an epic battle of wits and wills that will decide world football supremacy.

Church we also have a multitude of witnesses watching us as well.

Heb:12:1: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

If you look at past Super Bowl Champions there are great similarities in the characteristics and makeup of their teams and an effective New Testament church and yes they even dress alike.

Helmets = The Helmet of Salvation

Shoulder Pads = The Breastplate of Righteousness.

Girdle and Thigh Pads = Girting of the Loins with truth.

Cleats = Shodding your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.

Blocking Schemes = The Shield of Faith

They are all very solid in several key areas.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18

The same characteristics also abound in a Church that is on fire for the Lord and they must also be solid in the same key areas.

This morning I want us to look at the similarities between a Super Bowl Champion and a Super Bowl Church.

I. They Have a Good Defense

It has been said that Offense sell tickets but “Defense Wins Championships”

A Super Bowl Champion must have a solid defense, one that stops the opponents’ offensive attacks.

They must be able to turn back the opposing team and defend their territory.

Eph:6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph:6:13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

A. We must defend the Faith

It is the duty of all Christians.

The Apostle Peter commanded Christians: “Always be prepared to give an answer.

1Pe:3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

II. They Have a Good Playbook

The Bible is our playbook!

Good football players know their playbook!

We need to know our playbook!

1. How do we Know our Bible?

A. We come to know the Bible by reading it.

Charles Spurgeon was asked how a Christian could obtain a thorough knowledge of the Bible.

He replied, "There are three rules to follow in order to have a deep understanding of the Word of God: First, read the Bible; Second, read the Bible; and Third, read the Bible.

3. The Bible does not need to be re-written, but it does need to be re-read!

B. We come to know the Bible by memorizing portions of God’s Word.

1. We teach our children to learn memory verses in S/S, but what about us?

2. Ps. 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

3. God instructed Joshua concerning His Word, "...thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein..."

4. If we are to know “our playbook” Bible we need to read it and memorize it.

C. We come to know it by studying it.

1. We should study its history, its prophecy, and its theology.

2. Paul’s instruction to Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

III. They Have a Good Play Caller

The Holy Spirit is our Play Caller.

He not only signals in the play from God, but also brings about understanding of the playbook.

The Holy Spirit Illuminates Scripture.

A. Illumination is necessary.

1. Having intimacy with God is wonderful, but it must be a two-way conversation.

2. We speak to Him in prayer, but He speaks to us through His Word.

3. It is the Spirit of God who opens our minds to God’s Word and makes it come alive to us as God speaks through its pages.

1Co:2:12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co:2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.