Questioner: "So, ya'll have church on Super Bowl Sunday night?"

 

Pastor: "Uh, yeah."

 

Questioner: "Do ya'll like watch the game and have a devotional at half time?"

 

Pastor: "Nope."

 

Questioner: "Why not?"

 

That conversation has been played out at least a few times over the years.  And with Super Bowl Sunday Night imminent, let me try to answer it.

 

Let me preface my comments by saying that every church's schedule is that church's business.  I neither have the desire or the time to be the church police.  But I do have convictions about what I should do as a pastor and we should do as a church.

 

Faith rarely changes its schedule.  We have and will change it for Christmas, Homecomings, and maybe other special events.  But we've never changed it to accommodate a televised sporting event.

 

Why not?  Because for us to change our schedule to accommodate a televised sporting event would be for us to say that the televised sporting event is more important than the regularly scheduled event.  And given that the regularly scheduled event is the worship of the Most High God and the declaration of His Word, football just doesn't seem to be reason enough to make a change.

 

I know.  I'm a relic whose conscience needs to be freed by modern religious philosophy.  But I ask you: in the eternity that lies ahead of us, what will matter from this Sunday night, the winner of a ball game or the worship of God and declaration of His forever truth?

 

Now I'm not going to harp on this or preach on it.  Everyone will make their decision before God about what they will do.  But as for me and my house, we plan to be at God's House.  I would love to see you there too.

 

-Brent

In Sunday evening's message, while reminding us of what the cross really is, I made a statement to the effect that the cross was not something worn by the redeemed around the neck but born upon their backs. (Mark 8:34-38)  The point in context being that bearing the cross means identifying with the sufferings of Jesus and being willing to suffer shame and scorn for the sake of His name and the gospel.

 

Later the question was posed to me whether I considered it wrong to wear a cross around the neck.  Good question!  I like it when people are listening and thinking and aren't afraid to ask questions.  I would even expand the question: Is it wrong to use a cross as jewelry, a tattoo, a bumper sticker on a car, a decoration for a house, or even an adornment for a church facility?  If it is wrong to hang a cross around our neck, then why would we hang it on a wall?

 

In the first century the thought of using a cross as adornment would have been repugnant.  It was a means of torture and execution.  It would be like walking into someone's house today and seeing a miniature likeness of an electric chair sitting on the fireplace mantle.

 

Yet for Christians this repugnant death device has become a repository of glory (Galatians 6:14).  The cross is where our salvation was purchased by the blood of Christ and it is by the cross that we are crucified to the world and the world to us.  It is a constant reminder of God's mercy to us and our surrender to Him.

 

If the emblem of the cross is used as such a reminder, I see no problem with it.  However if it is used to be chic by those who don't get what it's really all about, its import and meaning are lost.  And it's the meaning of the cross that matters.

 

So whether you wear one around your neck or not, or hang one in your living room or not, do bear it on your back every day.  Don't be ashamed of the sufferings of Jesus.  For those sufferings purchased your salvation.

Brent D. Summerhill, Senior Pastor

Welcome to the Pastor's Blog at the Community of Faith. This new section of our website is designed specifically with our members in mind. You will be able to access the information you need quickly and easily. I hope you will frequent the site and stay up to date on what's happening at Faith.

I will be updating this blog a couple of times a week. There will be a follow up note from Sunday's services and later in the week a look ahead to worship on Sunday. And other items may appear here as opportunities arise. As you read the blog, please be in prayer for our worship and the preaching of God's Word.

Again, thanks for checking out the Community and I hope you become a regular visitor here.

God bless,
Brent