I want to quickly say that I enjoy watching the Super Bowl. I enjoy football as well. However, I am not a diehard, given that professional football happens on one of the craziest days of my week. I whole-heartedly believe that people should enjoy gathering with friends and family to enjoy the Super Bowl this weekend.
That being said, I want to move beyond the healthy enjoyment of a great championship football game this Sunday. There are a few other realities that surface this weekend which do not begin at game time. Further, many of these issues find their way into the gatherings of the church for worship on Super Bowl weekend.
Who will you worship this weekend?
First, we must affirm that this coming Sunday is no different than any other Sunday in that the most important thing that we could do with our time is gather with His Church to worship and glorify our Father in Heaven who sent His only Son to die so that we might be rescued to life.
This means that as ministry leaders, it would be odd to act like the most popular sporting event of the year is not happening, however it must still pale in comparison to our most deserving Savior.
We as leaders might allude to the game in explanation, illustration, or contextualization, but we preach the crucified Christ to a people who will make irreversible decisions in the days to come (ex. marriage, parenting, financial, and career, etc.)
Amidst a broader context of worshipers, we display our value of Christ above the preparation of food for guests that may arrive hours later to watch the game.
As men, we must display to our families and friends that we value worshiping our Savior above the preparations for a game that will occur some five hours later.
As men, we have the opportunity to lead our family in a way that displays a priority in worship and the ability to enjoy the celebration and friendship of what the day will hold.
Ladies, this day might remind you of the Mary and Martha story of Luke 10. Do not get so consumed by the coming tasks of hospitality that you miss sitting at the feet of Jesus with His Bride on Sunday morning.
Ladies, disciple your children by showing them that although you have so much to cook and coordinate that NOTHING is more important in your life than worshipping your Rescuer.
Believers, this is a great opportunity for you to gather and deepen relationships with those who may not know Jesus. Be authentic in your love of Jesus through your actions and your speech regardless of who may win or lose.
Our lives in Christ are intended to be saturated by an inexpressible joy. God desires that you celebrate joyfully this weekend through good fun with good company. My encouragement to us today is that we not allow idolatry to overtake our weekend. When we value or prioritize something over our Savior we engage in one of the greatest divine grievances described in our scriptures.
My prayer for you this weekend is that you gather with the church and worship your loving and sacrificial Savior and then you walk in the great joy of fun and friendship through Super Bowl XLVIII.
Matt Powell serves as teaching pastor at Crossings Community Church, a body of believers whose mission is to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation in Katy, TX.