GameDay – Week 3
“Field of Faith”
October 21, 2018
By Ed Young
One of the most valuable aspects of sports is the ability of those involved to evaluate their own performance in order to elevate their game. In this message, Pastor Ed Young looks at the index of involvement in the local church and challenges us all to evaluate where we are on God’s field of faith. Because when we know where we are on the field, we discover just what we need to do in order to reach the next level!
Transcript
INTRO: You know, it’s amazing how we love to rank and rate football players and football teams. Have you noticed that? People make inordinate amounts of money just looking at percentages and studying how players perform. You have people checking out peewee football players and their development. You’ve got it in high school, the 3-star recruit, the 4-star recruit, maybe the 5-star recruit. And then, of course, in college you have players who want to make it to the NFL and they go through the combine and there’s this complex process where they’re rated on number of tackles and percentages of completions. It just goes on and on. And it’s really interesting, I understand it, because billions and billions of dollars are on the line. We love to rate football players and football teams. Rankings and ratings, we’re all about that. In fact, you could probably say that Fantasy Football is all about that. We really know a lot about that, and I think that’s fine. It’s a cool outlet.
Well, what if I told you that God ranks and rates you and me? What if I told you that eternity is hanging in the balance and our God, our loving God, wants us to see where we are because he sees where we are. Yet, if you’re like me, I have this tendency to overestimate myself. I mean, that’s just me. You know, I think I’m here but in reality, I’m there. So, I just thought today we would go through and look at our rankings, look at our ratings. Whether you find yourself here in gorgeous Grapevine, Texas, whether you’re in Norman, Oklahoma, Miami, Northport, Florida, which is right near Sarasota. If you find yourself at our campus in Frisco, Downtown Dallas, Southlake, Fort Worth, if you find yourself online. I think everyone, when we leave this place, we’re gonna go, OK. I see where I am. I really, really do. Now as I go through this index don’t just shot out, “Oh that’s me! Oh, that’s me! Nailed it, Ed! I crushed that one!” I mean, it’s OK to do that but I would just probably keep it on the DL. Let’s just think about it. But I would appreciate your, you know, applause if you want to. Clap, nod your head, say amen, or say “preach it, white boy!” whatever you want to say because it’s lonely up here on this field.
By the way, does the stage look unbelievable? We have a great bunch of people that make all of this happen. So, let’s just think about, for example, rankings and ratings. Let’s think about it as it relates to football but also as it relates to our spiritual pilgrimage with God. Jesus said in John 4:35, these words. So, when you see this highlighted phrase I want you to say it with me. That means you aloud. But the other I’ll just read. Here’s what Jesus said. If you want to talk about a football field, here’s what Jesus said: “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.”
We have a field of faith. I mean, it’s God’s gridiron, literally. God wants you and me to take turf, to move the chains, to push the ball downfield. He has a great purpose, a great plan for every single life here.
The first part of this plan that God has, the first aspect of this spiritual index would be represented by this beautiful family. And I think some of you would find yourself in their shoes. This is called the spectator. We have a lot of spectators that show up at Fellowship. And you have to start out being a spectator. So, it’s not bad that you’re a spectator. Don't go, “Oh no. I’m a spectator.” It’s OK! Spectators usually watch people’s lives. They might ask questions. Maybe they’re online and see something about Fellowship Church and they’re like, hey, I’m gonna shot up! The spectators would be the poinsettia and lily crowd. Christmas and Easter. They would show up, I don't know, maybe four times a year. You know? Maybe a family member twists their arm. OK! OK! Maybe they’re going through a difficult situation. They’re just spectating, they’re just checking the things of God out. Some of these people have not made a faith decision. Others of the spectators would be like, yeah. You know back in the day I was involved in church. I was on fire, and now I’m like, you know, whatever. Spectators.
