Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay
aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Two weeks ago the Denver Broncos beat the New England
Patriots 26 to 16 in the AFC Championship game. Likewise, the Seattle Seahawks beat
the San Francisco 49ers’ in the NFC Championship game 23-17 earning the Seahawks
their trip to the Super Bowl next Sunday.
You know what is coming next: The Super Bowl hype, the
expensive commercials and the endless sports shows breaking down every aspect
of the game. And like every year at this
time, you will also see the bandwagon fans come out. All of a sudden people who haven't followed
these teams all season become their greatest fans. We will see the favored jerseys worn and the
bragging start. If you ask them, they
have been fans for years (except for last year when they were fans of some
other winner). Everybody loves a winner.
And when a team is winning you see
closet fans come out from the woodwork.
My question for you today is, “What kind of fan are you when
it comes to your faith in God? Are you a true fan of God or are you a bandwagon
fan?” God loves a faithful fan.
A true fan of God has a faith that is real. It does not mean you have to act super-religious
or be able to talk “Bible talk”. It
means that you have asked God to come into your heart to be with you, to guide
your steps in life and to help teach you what you should do. It means you follow His playbook. God loves a faithful fan.
Many who claim church membership would have a hard time
finding someone who could verify that by their attendance or service. They remember they were baptized so they know
they joined the team, but they don’t attend a lot of the games. God loves a faithful fan.
Some speak of how God has done so much for them and talk of
how they call on Him for help. But God
does not want you to be a fair-weather fan and only calling on Him in times of
disaster. He wants you to personally
take a stand, make a decision, call His name and put your trust in Him for now
and the rest of your life. God loves a faithful fan.
A real faith comes from your heart or the center of your
life. A real faith comes from making the
decision to stand up and say, “I'm a friend of God. I will love Him even when
times are tough. I will follow Him through the seasons of life and through thick
and thin.” One who is faithful is one
who God can depend on to act on His behalf and make a difference in the life of
another or testify of His great salvation.
God loves a faithful fan.
If you have never personally prayed that prayer of faith,
maybe today is the day you ask God to take over your life and call the plays?
Ask him to come into your life and in so doing, become a true friend and fan of
God. God loves a faithful fan.
Scripture to Claim:
"Now, therefore, fear
the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your
fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. "If it
is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today
whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were
beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:14-15
