06.25.06 Bulletin Article – World Cup Fever

As Kerry and I were sitting in the hospital waiting room during Sandras surgery on Tuesday, I glanced through the edition of U.S.A. Today Kerry had purchased. One of the cartoons was featured above letters received from readers. Those letters related to the lack of U.S. interest in the current World Cup taking place in Germany. The cartoon showed Uncle Sam sitting on an examination table speaking with his doctor. He says to the doctor, I just cant seem to catch World Cup fever. The United States is notorious for not having the same enthusiasm for soccer as the rest of the inhabited world. There are many reasons for this, but thats for another situation. Soccer is one of the most simple and pure games played across the globe. I think it worthy for us to gain some lessons from this popular game:

Teamwork is a necessity. If youve seen any footage of this years World Cup games (or games from any year for that matter), you see exactly how large the playing field (specific term is pitch) soccer is played on. It has a much larger total area than American football fields. When you think about how large the field is and you think about how soccer is played (sometimes with long kicks down or across the field), you see that soccer cannot be played but with a great team. Even the best athletes need other great athletes in order to be successful in soccer. As Christians, we need each other. As the church, teamwork is required. When Paul was telling the Ephesians about the importance of unity, he reminded them of the purpose of everyone having different gifts in 4:12-13. Paul says, "to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." We need to build each other up and work toward maturity within the church and stress the importance of teamwork.

Patience is required. In watching a soccer game, it is often said that it is boring. Part of that comes because it takes a while to set up offensive and defensive schemes and to work the ball into passing lanes and have the right angles to make passes and shots. In a game of 90 minutes, 1-2 goals is respectable. 3 goals is a scoring-fest. Therefore, players need patience to find the opportunities for goals when they arise. Fans need patience as they root for their team. We as Christians need patience as well. Notice the words of James in 5:7-8, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Lets be patient as Christians until the end.

Good things happen when youre in the middle. As a kid growing up playing defense, I was told to keep the ball out of the middle. Its a general principle that your chances of scoring are much higher if you have the ball in the middle of the field as your trying to score. Similarly, good things happen for Christians when were in the middle of working for the Lord. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Lets be sure to get out there and stay in the middle...of the Lords work.

The world is watching. It is very likely that the World Cup is the most popular sporting event in the world. If its not, it rivals the Olympics. Even if countries dont have a team in the World Cup, they still are fans of soccer and still keep up with the tournament. If you havent had a taste of how much the world is into the World Cup, go to Pepitos sometime during the day: soccer decorations, US/Mexico flags flying, and yep, World Cup matches on both TVs. The world is interested in the World Cup, the countries involved have the opportunity to make statements on a global stage. Similarly, we as the church have the opportunity to reach the people of the world with Christ. Most people of the world cling to religion of some sorts. Therefore, we have the opportunity to use common ground and teach them about the good news of Jesus Christ. Thats exactly what Paul did in Acts 17 among the philosophers of Athens. He started with what they believed and taught them about the true God.

The world is watching us as Christians...lets do all we can to reach out to them.