Call to Worship:  
To all who fight the good fight,
Who struggle against forces seen and unseen:
Fight with all your might, and hold on to the end,
For Christ has won the battle.

Unison Prayer: 
Mighty God,
you fortify us with your strength.  
You are our shield and our fortress.  
Lend us your power and your grace,
that we might stand our ground.  
Prepare us to join as one
in your victory song.  
Amen.

Words of Assurance:  1 Corinthians 9:25, Good News Bible
Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Opening Song: Michael W. Smith, “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)”

Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 6:4-10, NIV
As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Sunday Sermon: “The Other 31”

The New York Giants are not playing today because their best players got injured. The New York Jets are not playing today because they traded away their best quarterbacks, two of which made the playoffs and one of which is playing today. The Baltimore Ravens are not playing today because they missed a field goal. The Rams failed to convert on a first and goal. The Bills fumbled their chances away. The Eagles argued with each other. The Colts lost their starting quarterback. The Chiefs have multiple excuses, and the Lions and 49ers had multiple injuries. The Falcons, Saints and Bengals got good too late. The quarterbacks for the Chargers and Texans had injured hands, and the Broncos quarterback fractured his Achilles. The Commanders had the NFL’s worst defense. The Jaguars couldn’t get their run game going. The Bears gave up a late-game play. The Packers never got into a rhythm.

After their seasons ended, nine teams fired their coaches and all of them pointed fingers. After today, someone will blame someone or something: a player, a coach, a ref – because by midnight tonight there will be 31 losers, representing 1643 players who didn’t win the Super Bowl this year.

But let’s look at this another way. The minimum salary in the NFL this year was $840,000. The highest-paid player is Dak Prescott, who was paid $60 million and whose team didn’t even make the playoffs. In case you’re curious, that’s $164,383/day or $6849/hour, which is slightly more than minimum wage, or $280/minute, which seems more reasonable, or $5/second. Let’s throw in another fun fact: the average price for a 30-second Super Bowl commercial this year is $8 million, which means even Dak Prescott could only buy 7 of them. And the lowest priced Super Bowl tickets this year are $4000, which doesn’t include the cheap thousand-dollar tickets that were distributed directly to the teams.

I guess what I’m saying is, don’t feel too bad for the losers. But the Super Bowl gives us the chance to talk about winning and losing in general and how it is perceived, and what it might look like through God’s eyes.

My favorite NFL story of the year is about a quarterback who didn’t win a single game. Philip Rivers had retired from football and was coaching his son’s high school football team. He’s 44 years old, has 10 children and recently became a grandfather. He is so dedicated to his family that when his old team moved from San Diego to LA, he made the round trip every day so he could spend nights at home. He agreed to come out of retirement to play a few games for a team whose quarterback, former Giants QB Daniel Jones, was out for the season. He hadn’t played in years and most people thought it was a bad idea that would turn out to be a total disaster. But he played well in all three games. His team lost the first one by a last-second field goal and the last one by a last-minute touchdown, and lost the middle one – which was actually his best of the three – because the defense gave up 48 points. Technically, Philip is a loser – but not to me, or to his family, or to either of his teams, or to the fans.

My second-favorite NFL story – even though I’m a New England Patriots fan – is Sam Darnold. Sam played for the Jets, who traded him to the Panthers, who traded him to the 49ers, who traded him to the Vikings, where he went 14-3, which was apparently not good enough because they traded him to the Seahawks, where he went 14-3 again and is now in the Super Bowl. He is an example of incredible perseverance and resilience, and the effect that a good coach and a good team can have on a player.

So I’ve just mentioned the league’s biggest loser – zero wins – and one of the league’s biggest winners – 16 wins, counting the playoffs – and if you agree that these are both inspirational stories, then we’ve already leaned something about winning and losing. In short, there are different ways to win.

Paul writes that there are many runners who compete to win a single prize that will fade, but that we run to win one of many equal prizes that will last forever: a victory crown, a laurel, the call to the life above. There are no pedestals in heaven; there’s not a single trophy. But that’s okay, because we don’t get one just for participating; we have to try with all our might, and endure, and persevere, like the Christians before us who have already won the prize and are now a crowd of witnesses, cheering us on.

God is the head coach, I’m an assistant head coach along with the other pastors, everyone with a church position is on the coaching staff, each church is a team, and we’re competing both as individuals and as teams; but we’re not competing against each other. We’re competing against temptation, against sin, against apathy, against lethargy. We’re fighting poverty and disease and prejudice and despair and the corrupting forces of the world. Every day is a battle, and many days we’re going to lose, but some days we’re going to win, and we’re going to be judged by the way we respond to each.

I think of my friends down south who just lost their father, their husband, their son, and have chosen to go on with faith, not demanding answers, but trusting in a God they don’t fully understand. I think of three of my friends who have all gone into rehab in the last year, choosing not to drink again. I think of Merry, who every day is trying to help people on the streets, simply so they don’t die, knowing that she can’t save everybody. I think of Karim, who through nine months of illegal imprisonment still somehow kept his faith – like Paul, or Gandhi, or Mandela, or King. These are people who have lost in clearly identifable ways, but who are winning on the score board of Christ.

That same Paul writes, “we are genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” In other words, it doesn’t matter what other people say about us or believe about us; it only matters what God says. Hillsong Worship sings, “I am chosen, not forsaken; I am who you say I am. You are for me, not against me; I am who you say I am. Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed; I’m a child of God, yes I am. In my Father’s house there’s a place for me; I’m a child of God, yes I am.”

We are all losers, because we have lost many things for Christ. But we are all winners if we continue to align ourselves with Christ. Through Christ, sometimes when we lose, we still when; and even when we fail spectacularly, like King David or Simon Peter, we have a way back to God’s grace, because our head coach believes in us. He knows what we are capable of. He gives everything he has to keep the path of victory open. After a loss, we are not traded or fired; we are encouraged and loved.

While we watch the game today, let’s look for the stories behind the stories, the game within the game: the players who have overcome great odds to be there, the players who play in honor of loved ones, those who play for a cause, those who use their wealth to support charities, those who visit hospitals or mentor children. Look for the players who extend a hand to opposing players, who clap them on the back, who hug them after the game. Look for the people from each team who join together in prayer. Listen after the game to the speeches thanking God, thanking mentors, complimenting the other team and their coaches. There are many ways to win, and many will be on display tonight. Red Sanders famously said, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” But to God, it is how you play the game. Amen.

Closing Song: Hillsong Worship, “Who You Say I Am”

Benediction
No matter what battles you are facing, remember the words of the Lord:
“I will fight for you; you need only be still.” Amen.

This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, and the service will have a theme to match! Our service begins at 10 a.m. and the Super Bowl at 6:30, so you’ll be out in plenty of time for the game. Bundle up and come on out ~ we hope to see you then, and be sure to stick around for snacks afterward!

Call to Worship:  Charity Children’s Home, Calcutta
Take time to think.
It is the source of power.
Take time to play.
It is the secret of eternal youth.
Take time to laugh.
It is the music of the soul.
Take time to pray.
It is the greatest power on earth.

Unison Prayer:  
Awaken us, we pray,
In mind and in spirit,
In faith and in hope.
Bless us with optimism,
Energy and excitement,
That we might praise you
And serve you with joy.  Amen.

Words of Assurance:  Psalm 127:3, Good News Bible
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Opening Song: We the Kingdom, “Child of Love”

Scripture:  Mark 10:13-16, NLT abb.
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.  When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Sunday Sermon

Today we will be celebrating our first baptism of the year, which was supposed to be our second baptism, but our first baptism will now be our third baptism, followed by a fourth, all in the next three months. This is an incredible blessing for our church: four children and five cakes!*

*one of the baptisms was delayed after the cake had been ordered

Today’s story has four main characters or groups of characters: the parents, the children, the disciples and Jesus. Adam and Caitlin, if you’re putting yourselves in this story, you are the parents; Ronan and all the other young people in our church are the children; anyone who doesn’t like children or who thinks they should be seen and not heard represents the disciples (BOO!) … and I get to play Jesus, no pressure!

This is one of those rare Scriptures in which the disciples are the bad guys. The good guys are the parents, who are only looking for a blessing for their children. They are obviously people of faith, and believe that Jesus has the power to bestow such a blessing. Some may be carrying their children; others may be holding them by the hand. This should be a happy moment. But the disciples ruin it. They scold the parents for bothering Jesus. But are they bothering Jesus?

Let’s have a quick review of what the Bible says about children before Jesus. There’s the famous “Teach a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they shall not depart from it.” That’s a good one. Then there’s “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” which is not so good, but it pales in comparison to the law about stoning children who are disobedient or disrespectful. Back then, childhood was a lot shorter, because as soon as a child could work, off they went to the fields, or if they were men, even to war; and by the time they were teenagers, they were having children themselves. So childhood lasted only a few years, which is very different from today, when according to a recent study, adolescence lasts until the early 30s, which is the subject of Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Manchild”!

So of course parents wanted blessings for their children. They wanted God in their children’s lives, as early and as often as possible. Given the fact that churches today all say they want young people around, it’s shocking to hear the disciples trying to get children to shoo. But when Jesus finds out, he is angry. He scolds the adults who are scolding the other adults! If any of the children were old enough to talk at this point, you can imagine how happy they must have been watching this unfold. When Jesus took their side, he probably made friends for life, because hardly anyone ever took a child’s side.

Fast forward to Palm Sunday, and the whole scene will repeat. Years have passed, and it’s easy to imagine that these are the same kids, just a little older, and they are making a holy racket when Jesus comes to town, and the Pharisees (but not the disciples) tell Jesus to tell the children to be quiet, and he tells them, “If they are quiet, even the stones will shout.”

In today’s story, Jesus does more than tell the disciples that they are wrong. He tells them that if they don’t change and become like children, they will never get to heaven! These are very strong words, and must have been shocking to hear. As Jesus starts blessing the children, the disciples are probably asking themselves what in the world he means. The words vary a bit depending on who’s telling the story, from “you must become like little children” to “receive the Kingdom of God like a child” to “whoever humbles themselves like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” to “whoever receives a child in my name receives me.” But no matter what the translation, there’s no way around it; Jesus is placing children above adults, the opposite of what adults are used to doing.

The implication is that we have something as children that we lose as adults, but that we can get it back if we choose. Paul writes that when he was a child, he spoke as a child, he thought as a child, he reasoned as a child; but when he grew up, he gave up childish ways. Jesus’ words make a distinction between the words childish and childlike. We all know how embarrassing it is when an adult acts in a childish way; but it’s a compliment to say that someone has the innocence of a child, or the openness of a child, or who grows up but still knows how to play. There will always be an adult telling us to get rid of our inner child, but their advice is wrong; just ask Jesus.

Last week I asked our Bible study to make two lists. The first is “Advice for Baby from Now Until You’re Our Age.” So Ronan, this advice is for you.
Listen without judgment.
Test your boundaries.
Be open to trying new things.
Be true to yourself; you don’t have to follow the pack.
Learn from failures; we all make mistakes.
Learn resilience.
Don’t dwell on the negative, accentuate the positive.
Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other is gold.
Find your joy.
Remember to play.

Our older Sunday School class will be compiling a list of their own, so you’ll hear things from a middle and high school perspective as well. (Note: they are turning this in during or after the service.)

The second list is “How to Be a Great Parent.” Adam and Caitlin, this list is for you.
Be a good listener.
Be present. One person told a story of a child who could never get their parent’s attention because they were always on the phone. The child said, “I need your eyes to look at me.”
Show your love through hugs and smiles.
Cultivate laughter and a sense of humor.
Be able to admit when you’re wrong, and apologize.
Be consistent.
Be trustworthy.
Help your children to feel safe.
And again, remember to play.

The short version, which matches the Scripture, is this: while you’re being a parent, rediscover what it’s like to be a child, and if you see anything good in the way Ronan approaches things, thinks about things, or responds to things, learn from this; change and become like this; realize that in becoming adults, we may purposely or even inadvertently leave behind some things we shouldn’t have left behind, which may include wonder, trust, joy and grace. In this new phase of your adulthood, be children and adults at the same time. Be the adults who bring your child for a blessing; be the children who receive the same blessing from the parent of us all.

God bless you and Amen!

Closing Song: Vineyard Worship, “Last Song”