As football season draws to a close and the playoffs are ready to begin, we have an opportunity to reflect on some attitudes that surround football and relate them to our service to God. You see, many get very excited about football. Football fans, during the season, eat, drink and dream football. The day before the game, many get real worked up. They are ready to get physically and emotionally involved in the contest. Football fans are very concerned for their team. They often wonder…

• Who will be quarterback for the big game?
• What about tackles, guards, linebackers, receivers, etc.?
• Are they well coached?
• Will a player’s immoral behavior in any way effect the morale of the team?
• Will they play team ball or will the players vie for personal fame or recognition?
• Will each player on the team give a 110% effort?
• Who’s injured and who’s healthy?
• How well did the team practice this week?
• Will each player know his assignment on each play?
• Is the coach tolerating bad attitudes on the team?
• Will the team win? Does it matter if they win?

• How many unexcused practices can a player miss without being dismissed from the team?
• Suppose the first string quarterback can’t get there till half time or can only stay for the first half?
• What would happen if at least 20% of the team failed to show up on game day and each player was 10 to 15 minutes late? How happy do you think the coach, other teammates, athletic director, school officials and fans would be? What kind of team would that be?
• What would their standing be at the end of the season?
• Would they likely be able to make the playoffs?
• Should the players suffer the consequences or should they just do the easiest thing—fire the coach!

The truth is, it is time for us to be as excited about Christ’s work as a football fan is about football!

Are we nearly as excited and concerned about being Christians and serving the Lord as we are about football? Sometimes, we wonder. You see, we wear hats and coats displaying team colors and insignias. There is no mistaking what we are and who we are for! However, in serving Christ, our actions (the clothing of a Christian) often deny what our mouths confess!

What kind of member do you think the Lord wants on His team? What about the preachers, elders, deacons, song leaders, class teachers, prayer leaders—every worker and every member? Are we well prepared (coached) and enthusiastically awaiting starting time (kick-off)? Are we pumped up, excited and ready to begin (Romans 12:11)? Do we know the time of kick-off, or is it really important enough to remember (Hebrews 10:24-25)? Do we have our class material (equipment) and do we know our assignments (2 Timothy 2:15)? Are we ready to participate?

Will we work as a team, working together, not against one another, each in his place doing his part (Ephesians 4:16)? Are we concerned about the player’s health and spiritual growth (James 5:13-16, 19-20)? Will each player on the Lord’s team give his all (Romans 12:1-2)? Will each player on His team show up for practice (Bible study)? Will each player be there for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25)? Will each player on the Lord’s team have his Bible (playbook)? Will we be checking every word and action by the Book (officiating) to ensure all is done according to the rules (Colossians 3:17; Acts 17:11)? Will the Lord be pleased with our attitude when we say, “Let someone else do it?” Does it matter if the team wins or loses, or is the reward in simply playing (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)?

How many unexcused absences will the Lord tolerate before kicking us off His team? Suppose your child is playing football (fill in any activity here!), and the championship game is on a night the church is to assemble. Is your child going to assemble with the saints or play football? How about you, where will you be? You see, we’d have a choice to make—whose team is more important? What will it be? All those lessons about putting the kingdom first are on the line. Given the opportunity to practice what you preach, what will be your choice (Matthew 6:33)?

Suppose 20% of the players on the Lord’s team do not show up for instruction, admonition, encouragement, teaching and training? Suppose a goodly number are no more concerned than to show up late? Remember the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25)? They were just a little late too!

Do you suppose the Lord likes what He sees on His team? Do you suppose He likes what He sees in you right now as His player? What will be this team’s standing when all is said and done (Revelation 2-3)? What will be your individual standing (Matthew 25:23,26)? Will we even be able to stand at all? “For the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17).