Real Followers play hurt
Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ
February 3, 2002
Intro.: The hard hits
Surprised to see an empty seat at the Super Bowl stadium, a diehard fan remarked about it to a woman sitting nearby. "It was my husband’s," the woman explained, "But he died." "I’m very sorry," said the man. "Yet I’m really surprised that another relative, or friend, didn’t jump at the chance to take the seat reserved for him." "Beats me," she said. "They all insisted on going to the funeral."
Imagine another world looking down at 60,000 people who pay $900,000 to sit in a stadium that cost $45 million to watch 22 men being paid $7 million a year dispute the possession of a ball that costs $16.95.
Some will never understand the pull of football. For the fan it is a place where wills are tested and character is challenged, and Champions are made. But there are some who will not understand all the fuss over a bunch of guys trying to get the ball over the goal line.
There are also some who will never understand Church, Hopefully this is a place where to come and develop eternal friendships, grow spiritually, and become a real follower of Jesus.
One of the most impressive things to me about football is how many players play hurt. Roger Stauback said “If you’re not playing football hurt, you’re not playing football.”
So what is it about this game that drives these men onto the field to win even when they are hurt. Some who are hard and cynical may think it’s the money, but I don’t think these men play the game just for a few extra bucks. They are driven by a passion to become champions!!
No matter what sport you play there is always a likely chance that you will get hit. Basketball, Football, Hockey, I have a friend who tends to stand in the path of gold balls, I have been hit in slow pitch softball. There are very few sports where people don’t get hit. The truth is we like the contact sports, they tend to have more action, but the things that truly fascinates us is watching someone compete well while in pain.
In a little while the winter Olympics will begin in Utah, most of the sports that these athletes will compete in are deadly yet athletes are drawn to them. Because of their dedication to be champions.
So what is it that causes these people to play through pain or risk their own lives?
Here’s another question before we answer that one.
The Bible says in Hebrews that we are the players today. It says that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who are cheering for us.
It also says that at times we are going to face hardship and suffering.
That at times we are going to be in pain but Paul says stay the course, stick it out. Endure. Play through the pain because if you play through the pain and hurt You will prove that in the eves of God you are a true champion, A real follower.
All of us have hurts. We hurt on so many levels and some have even stepped out of the game, Which is all right for a little while. Take some time for healing if the hurt is bad enough. But friends, real followers get back in the game. So where are you. Do you need to come out for a play or two? If that’s the case fine but don’t walk away altogether. Have you been out for years? If your hurts have not healed from years ago you need to seek resolution and move past the pain.
I’m thinking about a guy named Ed from my first ministry. Ed was a capable and competent Leader in the church but would not step up to any responsibility because of a wound 10 years prior.
I’m thinking about a youth minister I had in high school who was wounded by a church and left ministry. To this date he never stepped off the sidelines to accept responsibility or involvement in the church again.
I’m thinking about a friend of mine who was becoming more involved and active on the worship team in one of my past ministries. People who were inches away from accepting the call of Jesus. Now they don’t go anywhere, because of some hurtful things said by church members.
I’m thinking about some members of our body here that feel like they have been hit by a bus, and you are apprehensive about joining another small group or taking on responsibility.
Where are you? What would help you get off the sideline? Jesus knows that you don’t want to get hit again. But he also says You know that you are a real follower when you take shots because of me.
I am convinced that “Real followers” is the word God uses for Champions. So why play hurt? Why risk your well being?
1. Real followers Play hurt because they know their contribution matters
A young man woke up one morning and decided he didn’t want to go to school
It was just about time for the morning bell to ring when a young woman came into the room and asked, “Why aren’t you getting ready for school?”
He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.”
She asked, “Do you have any reasons?”
He said, “Yes, I have three good reasons.
First it’s boring.
Second, no one likes me.
And third, I just don’t want to go.”
The woman replied, “Well honey, I have three reasons why you should go.
First it’s fun
Second, there are a few people there who like you.
And third, you’re the principal!
You matter to God. He cares so much about you, He values your time and effort. He wants you to know that your life matters. You have God given gifts and abilities that help this body grow. He wants you to know that whatever you do for him, He values it. The Bible says that if you give someone a cup of water in the name of Jesus, He knows about it
Cathy Wolf is an extraordinary lady she has been teaching the junior high Sunday school class for more that 20 years at North Terrace Church in Zanesville. In all that time she has never received a gift certificate, award or honor from her church. Except for a few kind words from her past youth minister. She always has time for her kids, she is teaching relevant lessons with a cheerful attitude. She doesn’t do it because she got roped into it or out of duty. She does it because she knows that her contribution matters. And I anticipate that one day Jesus himself will thank her for her contribution.
One of the hardest weekends in my ministry was when we left our first ministry. And a man that had become more faithful in his walk and involved in the church stood up and sang the song “Thank you” By Ray Boltz And even though I usually wouldn’t care for the song I loved it that day.
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed,
Friends that’s what the Kingdom is all about, That’s what Church ought to be. And it is what real followers do.
The Greeks had a race in the Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. Our Goal a followers is to keep the torch lit.
For some the flame has been flickering for some time but Jesus asks us to stay the course, don’t quench the work of God in you. He has asked you to make a difference.
A man was walking along the shoreline and noticed down on the beach there was a man throwing star fish out into the ocean. The high tides had brought hundreds of starfish up onto shore and they were helpless. The man kept picking up one after another and throwing them back out to the sea. I asked the man why he was doing that? You can’t possible make a difference. You can’t save them all you know? As he threw another one out he looked at me and with these words he said " I saved that one, it made a difference to that one. "
What will you contribute to this church over the next year? How will you influence the lives of those around you? You may be hurt. But let me ask this. Does knowing that your involvement makes a difference make you want to play even though you’re hurt?
2. Real followers Play hurt because it’s about something bigger than themselves
Someone has said there is no limit to what can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.
Coming home from his Little League game, Billy swung open the front door very excited. His father wanted to know what happened. "So, how did you do son?" he asked.
"You’ll never believe it!" Billy said. "I was responsible for the winning run!"
"Really? How’d you do that?"
"I dropped the ball."
When real followers drop the ball the kingdom of God suffers.
There are times when we all lose sight of the big picture and pay attention to our own hardship.
For some of us we get our excersize but move without purpose
When a Scotsman demonstrated the new game of golf to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball waited on the tee. Again the Scotsman swung, and again he missed. Our President waited patiently through six tries and then stated, “There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball.”
Some of you are running around getting involved in everything except that which God has asked you to do. Real followers keep their eyes on Jesus and their ear tuned to his voice.
While they contribute, Real followers know that they are only part of the plan. They see the value of the team. They understand the job of everyone and are grateful for everyone’s contribution.
What’s bigger than us?
I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.
3. Real followers play hurt because they love the Lord
At the end of the day real followers have to stand up, look Jesus in the eyes and be able to say “I gave it my all”
Real followers play even when they disagree with the call. Randy Moss, a receiver for the Minnesota Vikings says that he plays whenever he wants. And if he doesn’t want to play he doesn’t try very hard at all. With an attitude like that it won’t be long before nobody wants him to play and he won’t get the option.
Real followers are not in it for themselves. There may be some who try to use the church to strengthen their business contacts or gain political support but real followers can be identified because of their burning love for the lord in their hearts.
This past week The coach of the patriots announced that 2nd year player Tom Brady will start in the superbowl. You might remember Tom from a couple a years ago when he played for the university of Michigan. Anyway the sports reporters were trying to make a big deal about the fact that Drew Bledsoe will not start. Both players came out and said that they were committed to doing whatever it takes to win the game. These guys could have clawed at each other and made a big scene this week but the mark of a real champion is that they love the game so much they are willing to do what is best for the team.
How much do you love being part of a church that has only prosperous promises and a bright future. Tonight 2 teams will play each other
But today there are 2 forces fighting against each other.
Paul didn’t say we were in a game, Jesus didn’t paint the picture of us in a skirmish. They said there is a war against your soul. In life people get hurt.
REM wrote a song called Everybody hurts sometimes, everybody cries.
And everybody hurts sometimes.
Signal Music person
During the Super Bowl, there was another football game of note between the big animals and the small animals. The big animals were crushing small animals and at half-time, the coach made a passionate speech to rally the little animals.
At the start of the second half the big animals had the ball. The first play, the elephant got stopped for no gain. The second play, the rhino was stopped for no gain. On third down, the hippo was thrown for a 5 yard loss.
The defense huddled around the coach and he asked excitedly,
"Who stopped the elephant?"
"I did," said the centipede.
"Who stopped the rhino?"
"Uh, that was me too," said the centipede.
"And how about the hippo? Who hit him for a 5 yard loss?"
"Well, that was me as well," said the centipede.
"So where were you during the first half?" demanded the coach.
"Well," said the centipede, "I was having my ankles taped."
God has been asking where some of you are.
What can you tell him?
