Friendship with the World and the Super Bowl

Friendship with the World and the Super Bowl

Pastor John’s Notes

1/29/14

Dear City Calvary,

Where will you be this Sunday at 3:30 PM?  I know where I will be - in front of a TV cheering my lungs out for the Seahawks.  Imagine it's first quarter and the Seahawks are about to score.  Russell Wilson gives the ball to Marshawn Lynch, but instead of going into Beastmode and driving for the end zone, Marshawn happily hands the ball over to the blitzing linebacker who then runs the length of the field and scores for the Broncos.  Marshawn then runs up to  congratulate the celebrating Bronco player.  Or, instead of throwing the ball to Golden Tate, Russell Wilson lightly tosses it to the Bronco's free safety and then cheers for him as that safety runs by for another Denver touchdown.  What if Richard Sherman joyfully lets the Broncos wide receiver catch the ball and run for 6 more points and then give him a big congratulatory hug saying, "I'm glad you got a turn to get a touchdown too."  What if Pete Carroll led the whole Seahawks team in serenading the Broncos to the tune of "You've Got To Have Friends"?!?   

Are those things going to happen?  NO WAY!!!  ABSURDITY!!!  Those two teams are not in New York to be friends.  They are there to battle for the Super Bowl Championship.  Each player will do whatever is required of them (even sacrificing their own body) for the goal of winning that game, knowing that they carry the hopes of millions of people.  It will be WAR!

As absurd as this illustration is, let's carry this thought into our lives.  James writes in James 4:4 "Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."  You see, there is a serious battle going on.  The two opposing sides are the world and God.  We know what side we belong to yet, it can be easy to allow ourselves to battle for the wrong side, acting like enemies of God.  It is serious and this is what we will be talking about this Sunday as we dig into James chapter 4.  It's important to not only know what side you are on but how to remain firmly planted on God's side.  See you Sunday.  Feel free to wear your Seahawks clothing.

In Christ's love,

Pastor John

PS  James 4:3 says - regarding prayer - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  Does this mean we are not supposed to pray for the Hawks to win?