The Church's SuperBowl

 

AT THANKSGIVING OF BAPTISM

This is the super bowl! In this bowl of water there is more glory and grace than in any trophy. Through the waters of this super bowl all are winners, all are teammates; one team, one body of Christ.

 

BEFORE GLORIA

You know that person, during a football game, that runs the sideline -arms outstretched side to side, lifting them up and down, encouraging the spectators to cheer louder, to chant the home team’s chant; to get involved and build momentum---- that is what the music director is doing with the Gloria. The congregation is being drawn into participating, giving praise, and cheering God on. By the end of the singing, we are here as a community with one heart and mind, committed to the game.

 

SERMON

 

What a play! A chariot of fire and horses separated Elisha and Elijah and Elijah ascends in a whirlwind into heaven.

 

What a play! Jesus transfigured before the disciples, clothes dazzling bright, and with an assist from Elijah and Moses.

 

TSN Sports Centre puts together ‘Top 10’ lists: the best ‘Hail Mary’ passes, the worst fumbles, legendary Superbowl finishes, memorable field returns.  This morning, our scripture texts are two that would make the ‘Top 10’ list of greatest plays in the Bible: Elijah swept up in the whirlwind, and Jesus transfigured.

 

What makes these the greatest plays in the Bible? To start with they are told and re-told, over and over.  The stories focus on all time favourite players (Elijah, Moses, Jesus); they are flashy, full of glory, and once in a lifetime kind of plays – memorable. They are plays that will never be replicated; they were for that moment in time; they are mysterious. The plays inspire other teammates and spectators to give their best effort towards the goal.

 

Following each Superbowl, sports commentators, team owners, managers, coaches, and players evaluate the plays of the game. Each play is dissected – video footage is reviewed so that nothing learnable is lost.

As a team what do we learn from the plays we have heard? What are our three take ways?

 

1.       Be determined- Elisha sticks with Elijah, walks with him to the very end, and is rewarded by being in the middle of God’s action. In the process he is transformed by the experience, receiving a portion of Elijah’s gifts. Elisha was determined. He did not listen to the guild of prophets who kept on trying to dissuade him, continually focusing on Elijah’s impending death. Elisha was determined to journey with Elijah, no matter what happened or where it would take him. Elisha loved Elijah and that meant being present with him, period.

2.       The Quarterback calls the play- Jesus makes the play of taking Peter, James and John up a mountain and is transfigured- special teams is on the field as Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah. Jesus called the play. Trust the quarterback’s decision to move the ball down the field. In the story we witness Peter, speaking from a place of fear, suggesting the next play be one that is safe. Peter says, “we’ll build tents.” That is not a smart play – it will not advance God’s kindom. Trust the quarterback. You do not have to understand the why of each play. Follow Jesus and be ready to catch the ball when it is passed or handed off to you.

3.       Work as a team – Peter, James, and John were called to be part of the play on the mountain top. This experience would be invaluable to future game play. They were learning how to be future quarterbacks and coaches. They were learning the skills to further the kindom after Jesus’ death.  We catch a glimpse of continued leadership of the Apostles as they coach faith communities who follow Jesus to live and share the Gospel; who further God’s kindom. In Corinthians readers are reminded that even if our gospel is veiled, if the plays we make seem to fumble, keep on! Continue to not proclaim ourselves, rather earnestly focus on making plays proclaiming Jesus.

 

The highlight reel of the Gospel of Mark has three events: Jesus’ baptism, Jesus’ transfiguration, and Jesus’ crucifixion. Each play has a pattern. Each highlight includes: God’s voice, a space of note that is a meeting place between physical and spiritual, and the glory of God appears. Each experience transforms and changes not only the person (Jesus), but those who witness the event. This makes for the greatest plays of all time.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday –

And for some of us that means chips and dip, gathering with friends around screens to watch the football game, cheering our team on. And yes, there will be lots of prayers by passionate fans, for their team to win.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday –

For some of us that means coffee and cookies with a good dose of fellowship. It means gathering around the church’s Superbowl – the baptism font; hearing and dissecting the greatest plays of all time, to learn how to increase and use our gifts to work as a team – a community- trusting the quarterback, Jesus- and being ready to catch and carry the ball, advancing the kindom of God.

And yes, there will be lots of prayers said by individual players and passionate fans for God’s glory to appear.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday- remember:

Be determine. The quarterback calls the play. Work as a team.

 

Go advance the kindom of God.

 

 

BLESSING

Vince Lombardi – the guy who the Superbowl trophy is named after – said:

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.

 

In the waters of baptism, we have died to ourselves and risen with Christ.

Through this Superbowl we have received grace upon grace,

In the name of the Father,  + the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

DISMISSAL

Go prepared to receive the ball; advancing the kindom of God.