Hebrews 11:1
Substance of things hoped for = we all hope our athletes have a killer instinct, competitive spirit, and tough leadership qualities (aka "intangibles").
Evidence of things unseen = However, these qualities are not visible or easily detected (aka intangible).
I sat down and discussed the idea of intangibles with Men's Head Basketball Coach Terry Sellers. I was curious whether or not intangibles were a common belief in coaches and how much importance was placed on these qualities. He assured me that intangibles are something that every coach is looking for in athletes, creates an indefensible game plan, and makes any athlete/team better.
We've already made the connection between intangibles and faith. We can also make the connection between faith and the Word of God because through the Word we know what to have faith in. John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Therefore, we can also make the connection between the Word and God, and thus connect intangibles to God.
Having said that, let's look at what intangibles provide for athletes and see what it teaches us about what God provides everyone. Coach Sellers gave four examples of how intangibles take athletes/teams to the next level: 1.) Invaluable [Gen. 1:1] 2.) Helps reach full potential [Phil. 4:13] 3.) Cannot be defended against [Prov. 18:10] 4.) Have to personally see it to comprehend it [John 20:24-29]. I personally like this last one. No one will ever fully comprehend the love and goodness of God, and will never have a powerful faith, until he/she personally bows before the Holy One.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
God's Gracious Anger
Habakkuk l:13
Romans 3:5
Romans 6:23
[concerning "God's Gracious Anger"] "He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction...God is angry at the evil that ruins His children."
I have been around coaches who are absolutely brutal on the practice field but will fight tooth and nail for their players off the field. No matter if your coach is brutally honest or laid back, when you make a mistake it is his/her responsibility to correct you.
Does the coach do this out of shear amusement? No! That would be psychotic. He/she does it because the error is making a mockery of the athlete. The coach loves the athlete and the team too much to let them look like fools.
When we sin and God corrects us, it is not because He hates us. God is not a Zeus-like figure who enjoys hurling His lightning bolts at His creation. It is because He knows the end of such things is destruction. He loves us too much to sit back and watch this happen to us.
"The question is not, 'How dare a loving God be angry?' but rather, 'How could a loving God feel anything less?'"
Quotes taken from Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace."
Romans 3:5
Romans 6:23
[concerning "God's Gracious Anger"] "He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction...God is angry at the evil that ruins His children."
I have been around coaches who are absolutely brutal on the practice field but will fight tooth and nail for their players off the field. No matter if your coach is brutally honest or laid back, when you make a mistake it is his/her responsibility to correct you.
Does the coach do this out of shear amusement? No! That would be psychotic. He/she does it because the error is making a mockery of the athlete. The coach loves the athlete and the team too much to let them look like fools.
When we sin and God corrects us, it is not because He hates us. God is not a Zeus-like figure who enjoys hurling His lightning bolts at His creation. It is because He knows the end of such things is destruction. He loves us too much to sit back and watch this happen to us.
"The question is not, 'How dare a loving God be angry?' but rather, 'How could a loving God feel anything less?'"
Quotes taken from Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace."
Good and Upright
Last week, we talked about moving from a twice-a-year religion to an all day, every day love for God. The first step is understanding God's love for us. It is so important, in fact, that Jesus demonstrated it even in His death.
In the latter part of Luke 23, we read of a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a "good and upright" religious leader who did not agree with the betrayal of Jesus. He was apparently a wealthy man who owned his own grave. Because he loved Jesus, he offered his grave to house the body of Christ for what he, arguably, thought would be forever.
Jesus knew all along what Joseph would do. Perhaps He used the situation to illustrate salvation. We are like Joseph in many ways. Even though we may be "good and upright" in our own eyes, Romans 3:12 says "there is none good; no not one." Romans 3:23 states "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Romans 6:23 tells us "the payment of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." No matter how good we are, because of our sin, we have bought an eternal grave. However, if we give God the rights to our grave, He will take our place instead. And His occupation WILL last forever. This is His "gift" of salvation.
"Mercy" is not giving what is deserved. "Grace" is giving what is not deserved. 1 John 1:8 says "if we think we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Romans 5:8 tells "God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
In the latter part of Luke 23, we read of a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a "good and upright" religious leader who did not agree with the betrayal of Jesus. He was apparently a wealthy man who owned his own grave. Because he loved Jesus, he offered his grave to house the body of Christ for what he, arguably, thought would be forever.
Jesus knew all along what Joseph would do. Perhaps He used the situation to illustrate salvation. We are like Joseph in many ways. Even though we may be "good and upright" in our own eyes, Romans 3:12 says "there is none good; no not one." Romans 3:23 states "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Romans 6:23 tells us "the payment of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." No matter how good we are, because of our sin, we have bought an eternal grave. However, if we give God the rights to our grave, He will take our place instead. And His occupation WILL last forever. This is His "gift" of salvation.
"Mercy" is not giving what is deserved. "Grace" is giving what is not deserved. 1 John 1:8 says "if we think we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Romans 5:8 tells "God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
SUPERnatural
Waiting for God to show you something supernatural before you believe? The truth is He already has and currently is. We must realize that everything we perceive as supernatural is based on our understanding of the natural. Our knowledge of the existence of the supernatural is based upon the natural we already know. The existence of the supernatural is proven in the natural. Without the existence of the natural, we would not recognize SUPERnatural. Please allow me to illustrate using the term "superstar."
Most of us know the basics of basketball, and can, at least, dribble the ball standing still and heave it toward the basket. Distinguished basketball players can do this as well, but they do it quite a bit better than the rest of us. We call these people "stars." Anyone who plays professional ball is a star. However, there are some stars who elevate their game above the other stars'. We call these people SUPERstars. Superstars do that exact same basic things we do, but they do them a billion times better. Just because we know, and can sometimes perform, the fundamentals of a thing does not mean we are less awed by the ones who are great at it.
There is also a lack of understanding on my part. I know that in order to dunk a basketball one must jump and lay the ball in the basket. However, I will never be able to understand how he/she does it. Many of us will never throw down a basic dunk, more or less a blindfolded 360 from the free throw line over a ball rack. I know how to jump. I know how to put a ball through a ring. But some acrobatic plays are beyond my comprehension. Only a superstar can truly understand it.
Just because we know nature consists of matter, gravity, momentum, etc; doesn't mean that we understand everything that happens on earth. God takes these basics and turns them into everyday life. Don't try to trivialize this and say that God has never shown Himself to be supernatural to you. When's the last time you knit together a person in the mother's womb. Just because we know the basics does not mean we should be any less awed by works of God. He can provide the supernatural everyday. But only the supernatural God can truly understand it. Existence is natural, but God provides life.
"The loss of mystery has led to the loss of majesty. The more we know the less we believe. No wonder there is no wonder. We think we've figured it all out. Strange, don't you think? Knowledge of the workings shouldn't negate wonder. Knowledge should stir wonder. Who has more reason to worship than the astronomer who has seen the stars? Than the surgeon who has held a heart? Than the oceanographer who has pondered the depths?" -Max Lucado, "In the Grip of Grace"
Most of us know the basics of basketball, and can, at least, dribble the ball standing still and heave it toward the basket. Distinguished basketball players can do this as well, but they do it quite a bit better than the rest of us. We call these people "stars." Anyone who plays professional ball is a star. However, there are some stars who elevate their game above the other stars'. We call these people SUPERstars. Superstars do that exact same basic things we do, but they do them a billion times better. Just because we know, and can sometimes perform, the fundamentals of a thing does not mean we are less awed by the ones who are great at it.
There is also a lack of understanding on my part. I know that in order to dunk a basketball one must jump and lay the ball in the basket. However, I will never be able to understand how he/she does it. Many of us will never throw down a basic dunk, more or less a blindfolded 360 from the free throw line over a ball rack. I know how to jump. I know how to put a ball through a ring. But some acrobatic plays are beyond my comprehension. Only a superstar can truly understand it.
Just because we know nature consists of matter, gravity, momentum, etc; doesn't mean that we understand everything that happens on earth. God takes these basics and turns them into everyday life. Don't try to trivialize this and say that God has never shown Himself to be supernatural to you. When's the last time you knit together a person in the mother's womb. Just because we know the basics does not mean we should be any less awed by works of God. He can provide the supernatural everyday. But only the supernatural God can truly understand it. Existence is natural, but God provides life.
"The loss of mystery has led to the loss of majesty. The more we know the less we believe. No wonder there is no wonder. We think we've figured it all out. Strange, don't you think? Knowledge of the workings shouldn't negate wonder. Knowledge should stir wonder. Who has more reason to worship than the astronomer who has seen the stars? Than the surgeon who has held a heart? Than the oceanographer who has pondered the depths?" -Max Lucado, "In the Grip of Grace"
Be Still
I will always remember one move in particular by Reggie Bush in his Heisman Trophy season. He was running down the sideline against Fresno State. He only had one person to beat, but instead of trying to outrun his defender, he simply stopped and allowed the defensive player to run right past him. After that, Bush ran across the field untouched for the touchdown.
I will also always remember a touchdown that never happened. In one of the most exciting AFC Championship Games ever, the Pittsburg Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. The Colts were favored to win due to their incredible offense and improved defense. After their offense could not get the job done in the last minutes of the game, the fate of the Colts seemed certain. However, their defense stepped up with a gargantuan play. They forced a fumble from Jerome Bettis and recovered the ball heading back toward "the promised land." There was only one person for the defensive player to beat.. .the quarterback! Not only is the quarterback supposed to be a terrible tackier, but there were at least four other Colts to escort the ball carrier to the end zone. The rest is history. Instead of the ball handler taking advantage of his help, he surged ahead in an attempt to outplay his opponent one-on-one and was tackled on a great play by Roethlisberger.
My point? I was reading Psalm 46:10 to do a quick study on the statement "Be still, and know that I am God." I was intrigued to find the rest of verse says "I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV) This sounds like such a stark contrast to the "stillness" of the first of the verse. In fact, the whole chapter speaks of God's power even to the point of "melting the earth with His voice." (Gameplan) No matter how bad things get, we can take refuge in God's strength by simply being still.
One of the greatest men of God also moved when he should have remained still. Instead of speaking to a rock in order to bring forth enough water for Israel to drink, he hit the rock out of frustration. Although God blessed Israel with the water anyway, God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:7-12)
If the ball handler had been still, his "help" (Colts teammates) could have blocked Roethlisberger and perhaps, like Bush, could have run untouched into the end zone. We, too, need to be still and let God plow us a path to the "Promised Land" (His perfect plan for our lives). Even if the only obstacle appears to be a helpless quarterback, we should not take things into our own hands. Be still and know that He is God; "The Lord of Hosts is with us [and] the God Jacob is our stronghold." (verses 7 and 11 in "God's Gameplan")
I will also always remember a touchdown that never happened. In one of the most exciting AFC Championship Games ever, the Pittsburg Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. The Colts were favored to win due to their incredible offense and improved defense. After their offense could not get the job done in the last minutes of the game, the fate of the Colts seemed certain. However, their defense stepped up with a gargantuan play. They forced a fumble from Jerome Bettis and recovered the ball heading back toward "the promised land." There was only one person for the defensive player to beat.. .the quarterback! Not only is the quarterback supposed to be a terrible tackier, but there were at least four other Colts to escort the ball carrier to the end zone. The rest is history. Instead of the ball handler taking advantage of his help, he surged ahead in an attempt to outplay his opponent one-on-one and was tackled on a great play by Roethlisberger.
My point? I was reading Psalm 46:10 to do a quick study on the statement "Be still, and know that I am God." I was intrigued to find the rest of verse says "I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV) This sounds like such a stark contrast to the "stillness" of the first of the verse. In fact, the whole chapter speaks of God's power even to the point of "melting the earth with His voice." (Gameplan) No matter how bad things get, we can take refuge in God's strength by simply being still.
One of the greatest men of God also moved when he should have remained still. Instead of speaking to a rock in order to bring forth enough water for Israel to drink, he hit the rock out of frustration. Although God blessed Israel with the water anyway, God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:7-12)
If the ball handler had been still, his "help" (Colts teammates) could have blocked Roethlisberger and perhaps, like Bush, could have run untouched into the end zone. We, too, need to be still and let God plow us a path to the "Promised Land" (His perfect plan for our lives). Even if the only obstacle appears to be a helpless quarterback, we should not take things into our own hands. Be still and know that He is God; "The Lord of Hosts is with us [and] the God Jacob is our stronghold." (verses 7 and 11 in "God's Gameplan")
Where's the Effort?
1 John 1:9
Romans 6
1 Corinthians 15:10
2 Corinthians 6:1
Through Christ's sacrifice, we are forgiven for our sin. However, just because we've been forgiven doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do better.
This is like a coach who doesn't bench you because you make one mistake. He'll forgive you. But you must work hard to correct the mistake. To continue to perform poorly despite the proper coaching is to make a fool out of the coach. A coach can't use someone who doesn't care enough to get better.
How does the player get better? He/she improves through submission and practice; submission to the coach's correction and proper practice. "Perfect practice makes perfect."
We can't get better on our own. We must submit to God. Trying harder won't help because we don't know the correct way to do it. Our perfect practice is submitting to God in every thought so that nothing feels right until we do.
Romans 6
1 Corinthians 15:10
2 Corinthians 6:1
Through Christ's sacrifice, we are forgiven for our sin. However, just because we've been forgiven doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do better.
This is like a coach who doesn't bench you because you make one mistake. He'll forgive you. But you must work hard to correct the mistake. To continue to perform poorly despite the proper coaching is to make a fool out of the coach. A coach can't use someone who doesn't care enough to get better.
How does the player get better? He/she improves through submission and practice; submission to the coach's correction and proper practice. "Perfect practice makes perfect."
We can't get better on our own. We must submit to God. Trying harder won't help because we don't know the correct way to do it. Our perfect practice is submitting to God in every thought so that nothing feels right until we do.
Balance
Psalm 11:3; 87:1; 89:14
Luke 6:46-49
1 Corinthians 3:11-13
2 Corinthians 4:18
Ephesians 2:19-21
1 Timothy 3:15; 6:19-21
2 Timothy 2:14-19; 3:5-8
Hebrews 6:1; 11:9-10
In football, a defensive player is taught to tackle from his hips. He is to "power up" through the hips. Throwing athletes are to throw off their front foot. The Major League's best sluggers keep perfect balance throughout their swing. The farther one gets from his/her center of gravity, the less power one has. Consequently, he/she becomes weak in that position. In fact, balance is very important in sports because it creates a foundation which gives the athlete power. Many times a poor play or performance is due to the athlete straying away from his/her "foundation."
The same is true in spiritual matters. Many times people get side-tracked by hard-to-answer questions about God or Christianity. Their faith becomes weak, and they begin to doubt. Although discussion and contemplation should be encouraged, we need to remember that some things are just too far of a stretch for us to make a solid "play." However, PRAISE GOD, there is power in the foundation of our faith. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness." ("The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote)
If you were to freeze-frame your television in the middle of many professional plays, you would probably find it somewhat impossible for the athletes to make a good play out of the situation. However, when the play is finished, we can see how the athletes relied on the fundamental foundations of their sport to prove the mid-play uncertainty trivial. When the faithful enter heaven, we will find it easy to look back and understand all that matters is the Foundation.
Luke 6:46-49
1 Corinthians 3:11-13
2 Corinthians 4:18
Ephesians 2:19-21
1 Timothy 3:15; 6:19-21
2 Timothy 2:14-19; 3:5-8
Hebrews 6:1; 11:9-10
In football, a defensive player is taught to tackle from his hips. He is to "power up" through the hips. Throwing athletes are to throw off their front foot. The Major League's best sluggers keep perfect balance throughout their swing. The farther one gets from his/her center of gravity, the less power one has. Consequently, he/she becomes weak in that position. In fact, balance is very important in sports because it creates a foundation which gives the athlete power. Many times a poor play or performance is due to the athlete straying away from his/her "foundation."
The same is true in spiritual matters. Many times people get side-tracked by hard-to-answer questions about God or Christianity. Their faith becomes weak, and they begin to doubt. Although discussion and contemplation should be encouraged, we need to remember that some things are just too far of a stretch for us to make a solid "play." However, PRAISE GOD, there is power in the foundation of our faith. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness." ("The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote)
If you were to freeze-frame your television in the middle of many professional plays, you would probably find it somewhat impossible for the athletes to make a good play out of the situation. However, when the play is finished, we can see how the athletes relied on the fundamental foundations of their sport to prove the mid-play uncertainty trivial. When the faithful enter heaven, we will find it easy to look back and understand all that matters is the Foundation.
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