CHAPLAIN'S PRE-SEASON MESSAGE
Glory, Glory …???
Those of us who are proper, wise, and intelligent football supporters
will immediately know how that well known football chant ends. Glory,
Glory Man United; and quite right too! There are variations of course, and
without question from a spiritual point of view, the only One deserving of
glory is the person of Jesus Christ, and quite right too. Having said all
that, what sort of things can give God glory? Can sport give God glory or
would that be considered "Off-side"? For me both as a minister/Christian
and a lover of ‘the beautiful game’, I would have to say ‘No, and this is
why!’
Now, before you say to yourself, I am not reading anymore sermon,
please stay with me, and consider an argument. Think back over the years,
and ask yourself what for you is the greatest goal you have ever seen
scored? While you’re thinking about that, allow me to summarize the main
points of the Bible. 1. Creation, 2. The Human Being, 3. The Fall, 4.
Judgment, 5.Redemption. Genesis chapter 1reveals a God who is Creator of
ALL things, from the universe, sun, moon and stars, down to the smallest
creature, and is in charge of this world. Therefore, if that is true, it
rules out polytheism, because there is only one God. It rules out
pantheism, which says God is part of this creation because He is its
Creator and it rules out dualism, the belief that the spirit, or reason,
is inherently good and matter inherently bad. Everything that exists is
created by God and is, in itself, good.
Allow me to illustrate the dangers of dualism by drawing an imaginary
line. All the important things about being a Christian, reading your
bible, praying, worship, church attendance are above the line, and seen as
‘spiritual.’ Below the line is everything else that some people would see
as ‘unspiritual’. Having a laugh with your mates, playing sport, the arts,
music, sex, watching TV, the list could go on. Genesis 3 reminds us that
sin has ruined things that were made by God which were initially
inherently good. It has destroyed our relationships, our sexuality, our
sporting life, it ruins everything. When we allow God to take control of
our lives, through saying sorry and inviting Him to come and live in our
hearts and lives through faith, all these broken things can begin to be
mended. If that is true then we must be careful not to slip back into any
kind of dualism, seeing the physical as all bad and only the spiritual as
good. Genesis 1:21 tells us that God saw all that He had made and it was
"good". The material world matters and it is OK to enjoy it in itself.
Now, what do you think was the greatest goal ever scored? For me it has to
be Ryan Giggs’ winner against Arsenal in the semi-final of the FA Cup. You
know THAT goal. Now, if God really is the Creator of all things, and
everything we are is given to us as a gift from God, then, it was God who
gave and continues to give Ryan Giggs and others the ability to play the
beautiful game with beauty! As far as God is concerned the player who can
chip the keeper from the half way line can bring God just as much pleasure
as the preacher or evangelist who can preach with power or lead thousands
to Christ. Paul tells us in a letter to the church called Colossians that
we should do "everything" to the glory of God. If we don’t get our brain
around this, then we will never be able to believe in our hearts that it
is ok to devote time to sport and to believe that playing football like
playing any sport can and does bring glory to God.
World record holder in the ripple jump, Jonathan Edwards, puts it well
when he said, "The fact that the human body can jump 18.29 metres is
testimony to what a great God we serve." Many of you will know and
remember those famous words from the film Chariots of Fire, when Eric
Liddell thought as he ran, ‘God made me for a purpose, but he also made me
fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.’ But most people don’t know how
that phrase ends; ‘…and to give it up would be to hold Him in contempt. To
win is to honour Him.’ As all good Presbyterians know the chief end of man
is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Surely, we can do that on the
sports field just as much as in the church.
As your chaplain, I love the game of football, and I love this club,
and there exists a challenge to every single person associated with
Glenavon, from the Board, to the manager to the players to you the loyal
supporters, and it is this. We all need to up our commitment this season
and give more, encourage more, support more both on and off the pitch, and
in doing so recognize that in giving, governing, managing, playing or
supporting we can give glory to God. This season I too will raise the bar
of my giving and I anticipate that many will if have not already done so.
So, all that remains for me is to wish everyone much success and pleasure
both on and off the pitch and may God increase the giftedness of His
players this season to bring glory and honour to Him, and if I was to be
just a little bit selfish I would have to ask for success as well!!!
Reverend William Orr
Glenavon Club Chaplain
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