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Well, after the latest Super Bowl reports continue to come in
of churches who called off services during the game or dismissed
services to the home, or changed their worship time. In this article
I want to present some reasons why I'm glad we met as usual.
A Religion of Convenience
Christianity was never meant to be a religion of convenience.
In fact, the way to heaven is so narrow and straightened that
definite steps were taken by the Lord to ensure that it would
never be thought of as a religion of convenience and accommodation
(Matt. 7: 1314).
A man said he would follow Jesus anywhere. Jesus said, "the
foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but
the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. 8:19-20).
Another wanted to first bury his father and Jesus said, "Leave
the dead to bury their own dead" (Luke 9:60). Another just
wanted to go tell his family good-bye. But Jesus said, "No
man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit
for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:61-62). If we preach all
that and live the opposite are we not hypocrites? Jesus said agonize
to enter the narrow door (Luke 13:24).
Does moving or discontinuing worship of the most High God to accommodate
a television sport's program smack of "striving to enter
the narrow door." Does it display burning zeal?
The Kingdom and Righteousness First
Even in a contest between food and clothing and all the necessities
of life opposite to the kingdom of God those necessities came
second. Jesus said, "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"
(Matt. 6:33).
Is putting a football game ahead of a worship opportunity putting
the kingdom first? In this instance who got bumped? Who had to
give place and move? Who got second place and had to be rescheduled?
Example to Children
Children look to their parents for an example in how to serve
God. Paul said, "That ye be not sluggish, but imitators of
them who through faith and patience inherit the promises"
(Heb. 6:12). What message do we send children when little league,
scouts, school, and a Super Bowl game take precedence over worship?
Did not God take a back seat to sports? If the Lord came that
very hour where would you rather have been; doesn't that tell
you something? By moving or changing worship did we teach our
children, zeal, self-denial, and commitment? Did we show them
what's most important? Did we help them go to heaven?
Strong Convictions
Early Christians died without protest because of what they believed.
Paul said they were tortured, scourged, imprisoned, and some Old
Testament saints were even sawed asunder (Heb. 11:34-40). He said,
"It hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf" (Phil.
1:29). Ask yourself: Does changing services for the Super Bowl
smack more of strong convictions or weak convictions? Do we say,
"Lord, don't give me suffering, a cross, death, persecution,
agony, and sacrifice." Are we willing to forsake father,
mother, brethren and children for the sake of the kingdom?
I'm glad our services were not affected by the Super Bowl.
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