As a YMCA coach for first and second graders I have to repeatedly remind myself that it's not about winning...it's about having fun. But I still forget. Victory is sweet. Just go to a first and second grade YMCA coach pitch game filled with fans who are family and friends. Watch what they do in the bottom of the seventh with a child on third, two outs, and tied ball game. No matter how many people have committed to the “it's not about winning” way of thinking, everyone is on the edge of their seats. Suspense is high and most are hoping and thrilled when the final pitch is made and the ball is hit...so don't judge me!
My cousin was in Cleveland the night the cavs won game seven and she stated the streets were packed with people running and giving high fives on the streets to perfect strangers. Victory is exciting and brings out behavior we would not normally observe.
If we get this excited in sports, can you imagine how excited we will be when our faith has been confirmed in eternity? We celebrate Christ’s resurrection at this time during communion because He gave us victory over sin and death. He gave us victory for eternity and victory for the present
His resurrection allows us to talk to our problems about victory we have now in the present. (The following adapted from Mark Batterson) http://theaterchurch.com/media/mountains-move/the-day-of-small-beginnings
We need to preach the promises of God to our problems.
We need to preach the promises of God to our problems.
Because of His resurrection, we need to preach the goodness of God to our problems now:
Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Because of His resurrection, we need to preach the supremacy of Christ to our problems now:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Because of His resurrection, we need to preach the preeminence of God to our problems now:
Romans 8:31 If God is for us who can be against us. We are more than conquerors.
Because of His resurrection, we need to preach the power of God to our problems now:
Ephesians 3:20 He can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine according to His power at work within us.
Because of His resurrection, we need to preach the love of God to our problems now:
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As we prepare for communion, may we focus on the Victory we have in Jesus not just in our future, but now at this moment.
