I am continuing the series that God has convicted me to write:  Violent Like The Kingdom.

 

Let me start by saying that you would not even be reading this today were it not for something Jesus did 2000 years ago.  

He came from nothing, stood up to the oppressive Roman rule, called out the ungodly Jewish council, and declared that the devil would no longer rule here on earth unless we chose to let him.

For His great efforts, He was captured unjustly, patronized with an unfair trial, and sentenced to punishment.

They beat Him within an inch of His life and had Him carry the instrument of His execution to the hill where He would be killed.  There….He suffered an excruciating finale, was treated with disregard and dishonor, and was humiliated in every way.

 

There is nothing like a sport to remind you that going pretty hard is simply not good enough……and I was so convicted by this, that several years ago I had a t-shirt made to make my point.  At that time, we had a state testing calls CSAP.  Colorado State Assessment Program.  CSAP was always being talked about and emphasized.  Our governor even went in and took it.  So……using that Acronym, I came up with my own, CSFP…….

 

CSFP: Colorado State Football Playoffs

And then I added underneath it:

Where 98%….Gets You Beat

 

My point is well understood by many who have competed at a high level.  It is not uncommon for us to do “pretty well” in our preparation…..and get it “handed to us”.  Because our opponent wants exactly the opposite of what we want….and he might do it better than “pretty well”.

 

I think this is what Jesus is talking about in Revelation 3:

 

Revelation 3  16 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

 

I have often told my team, or one of my players, or even myself….to Get Your Butt Going!….and I think we all need to say it today…….

 

Because the only thing worse than a little honesty and criticism now is to have Jesus say:

I can not stomach how lukewarm you are!

 

In The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

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Coach J