Aug
06
2012
The NFL and the lordship of Christ
The NFL season is upon us again. Great. I love football. But the NFL in its televised grandeur and inflated drama claims too much for itself. It claims too much of our attention on Sundays especially. Let’s get ready now to resist its over-reaching. Let’s get ready to put it in its true and modest place, under the lordship of Christ: “Hey Mr. NFL, good to see you again. Glad you’re back. Sure, I might be able to fit you into my schedule somewhere here. Umm, no, that’s filled. And that won’t work either. Uhhh — Oh, here’s an opening. Sure, I might have some time here . . . .”
Jesus, community, mission — I submit to these sacred claims. I manage all others. Jesus alone is Lord. I will set no limits on him. I will set proper limits on everything else.
“What an utter denial it is of the whole of the New Testament, this foolish suggestion that one service a Sunday is enough, one that takes place at nine o’clock in the morning, to get rid of it, as it were, in order that you can then really go and enjoy yourselves and have real happiness in looking at the television or in rushing to the seaside or in playing golf!
But what happens when people are baptized with the Holy Spirit — as you read throughout Acts — is that they want to keep together, to get together as often as they can — they continued daily, steadfastly, talking about these things, singing together, praising God together. This was the thing that was first above everything else. Everything else came second; even their work was something they had to do. It was right that they should do their work, of course, but this was the thing that meant life to them, joy and salvation.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Joy Unspeakable (Wheaton, 1984), page 102. Italics original.
6 Comments
Jesus, Community, missions, so well said and true, how easily our affections are focused on other things that in the Kingdom of God have no value at all.Welcome back Dr. Ortlund.
There are many, many, good Christian folk in our community but only 20 or 30 in attendance. Its frustrating. But change is coming, I can sense it, feel it, something big is about to happen. So here I am, not worried about the harvest nor about the growth, not even the yield, it will be as promised, a hundred fold. You, Mr. Ray Ortlund, have kept my heart soft and tender as I patiently scatter the Seed I have been given in the fields where I have been sent. And ya know I enjoy the work…once again much credit to you. Keep blogging.
Amen,Larry, we serve the Lord of the harvest, keep scattering and your heart soft and tender.
Ray,
this post convicted me…as it should…because I am guilty, and have been for many years. and still this is a delicate issue in my family and in my vocational ministry. family members of mine both have and currently coach at the college and professional levels, and my ministry to coaches and athletes requires that my knowledge is current. Plus, I truly do enjoy the game. It is a difficult balance with much more than wins and losses of “our teams” at stake…it is the livelyhood and the calling on the coaches in my family. it is important, in part, for effectiveness in the calling of God on my life.
Lord, please help me resist when appropriate, and not acquiesce to “license” in light of my situation. My deepest desire is to be faithful.
[...] CLICK HERE: The NFL and the lordship of Christ. Rate this:Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...]
That’ll leave a mark…right between my eyes!