Football 101 - Part II

In the last post, we examined three ways football players get the ball and three ways opportunities come for Christian service. Today, we'll look at some of the excuses made for not "catching the ball."

1. You've Reached Your Limit

In football, the player is not able to hang onto the ball. Solution: Put on some weight. Get bigger so the opposition can't overpower you.

You're juggling too much, and something is going to suffer. Solution: Grow. Mature believers can hold more balls.

2. Beyond Your Ability

The football player is not reaching his full potential. Solution: Practice, practice, practice. A third-string quarterback only gets to play if the first two quarterbacks are knocked out of the game. Yet, he has to be ready to fill in at a moment's notice, fully prepared to handle the assignment.

You don't have the skill necessary to perform the task. Solution: Increase your ability; develop it. Increase that ability now. Prepare for the big game.

Don't become distracted and leave what you're supposed to be doing. People hand over jobs to others who are prepared.

3. I Don't Want To Do It

Get real. If a coach sends a player onto the field, he's expected to follow orders.

Christians come down with the "Jonah Syndrome." Imagine if the white cells in your body decided they didn't want to destroy an invading disease. You'd be in big trouble. When you refuse an assignment from the Lord, the Body of Christ suffers.

4. I'm Not Going

A football player looks at the other teams defensive line, and shudders. I'm not going out there and getting crushed. Grow up. If you want to be on this team, follow direction.

Ananias argued with God. He didn't want to go minister to Saul of Tarsus. "But God, this guy's been throwing believers into prison. We've all heard about him." In the end, he did what God told him to do.

For the full message, check out the sermon player at Zoe's website.