by: Allen Domelle
It’s finally here! Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks versus the Denver Broncos. If you are a sports fan, this looks like it could be a great matchup. You have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning, taking his offense against the number one defense of the Seattle Seahawks.
Many are anticipating this matchup come Sunday night. I have had many people ask me who I believe will be the Super Bowl champion. I look at the Seattle Seahawks who have been very impressive, but their offense has struggled in the latter part of the year. Had it not been for a prolific running game and the number one defense, they may not be in the championship game.
The Denver Broncos easily have one of the best offenses we have seen in many years. Peyton Manning has thrown the ball like it was a backyard football game. He has passed for over 5,000 yards and has a passer rating of 115.1. Yet, their defense at times seems to be a little suspect.
So, you wonder what are my predictions for the big game? My predictions may not come to what you want, for as I look at this game I see something a little different than most. My predictions are not one of who will win the game, but of what Christians are going to do.
HERE ARE MY PREDICTIONS!
I predict that many churches will cancel their Sunday night service so their men can watch the game.
I predict that services will be shortened and preachers will minimize their sermons so people can get home quickly.
I predict that many Christians will miss church altogether so they can watch the game.
I predict that some Christians will participate in drinking alcohol with their buddies as they watch the game.
I predict that the main conversation on the tongue of many Christian men will be about the football game instead of the works that God did in the services.
I predict that many will come up with a good excuse as to why they must miss church Sunday night, but they will still be capable of watching the entire game.
I know, these are not the predictions for what you were looking, but these predictions will no doubt come to pass. Every year these predictions happen. In fact, I don’t know that these are really predictions as much as they are a composite of what has happened throughout the years.
Though I am personally not against watching the game as long as it doesn’t keep you out of church, the most important thing that will happen on Sunday night will be the preaching of the Word of God. Let me remind you of Hebrews 10:25 that says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Church is far more important to your future than what will happen on Sunday night in the Super Bowl.
Moreover, nothing will change your life more than the preaching of the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Friend, at the end of the game you will either be temporarily satisfied because your team won, or you will be disappointed because your team lost. But, you will never be disappointed when you allow the Holy Spirit of God to use the preaching of the Word of God to change your life. That change that will happen could last a lifetime.
Furthermore, for those who think that one night of alcohol won’t hurt, let me remind you of what the Scriptures teach. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Let us also not forget what Proverbs 23:29-30 says, “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” That one night of drinking could lead to a lifetime of heartache. Alcohol is still a sin. You can say that you’re only going to have one drink, but one drink is just as wrong as a whole case of beer.
Friend, the best place for you to be on Sunday night is church. Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” There will be more good that happens on Sunday night in church than anything that will happen on the football field. I implore you to be in church on Sunday night. Don’t miss church for one game. God’s blessings on your life do hinge on what you do Sunday night. Remember Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If you miss church for the football game, you are quenching the blessings of God upon your life.
The football game will come and go, but the blessings of church will last for an eternity. What if Sunday night is the night you or your family member hear a sermon that will change your lives forever? Wouldn’t you hate it if you were not there to see it or hear it? We don’t know what will happen in Sunday night’s service, but one thing we do know is that God is watching and will reward you for doing right by being in church. DON’T MISS CHURCH!
Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.