James Hayes article on the Superbowl

Who Wins on Super Bowl Sunday?

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. It has become a worldwide event. Last year an estimated 90 million people watched the Super Bowl. This year a 30-second commercial during the game costs the advertiser $2.5 million. There is a two-week gap between the league championship games and the Super Bowl to accommodate the hype. Professional football is now our national pastime, which makes the Super Bowl the most beloved sporting event.
But as the world focuses its attention on the Bears and Colts, who is focusing on God? Every Sunday is the Lord’s day (Rev. 1:10). The Lord was raised on the first day of the week (John 20:1). First-century Christians met on the first day of the week to worship and fellowship (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2). Undoubtedly, millions of believers will meet to honor God on this day. But those who are lost, those who are spiritually bankrupt, and those who are lost in sin are giving no thought to Christ this day. Their focus is on the Colts and Bears…
…which leads me to this question: Who will win today? I’m not thinking about the final score of the game; I’m wondering about who will gain a foothold in the hearts and minds of 90 million people. Will it be Satan or Christ?
When Anheuser-Busch, the self-described King of Beers, spends over $20 million on commercials during the game, who will win, Satan or Christ? When GoDaddy.com, who had to film three commercials in order to produce just one that was not obscene, airs its ad, who will gain the advantage, Satan or Christ? When hundreds of millions—if not billions—of dollars are wagered on everything from who will win the coin toss to how long it will take Billy Joel to sing the National Anthem, who will have the influence, Satan or Christ? When Christians, yes Christians, use this game as yet another excuse not to worship the Lord, are they being faithful to Satan or Christ?
Football is amoral. Like so many things, it is not inherently good or bad. The question is, how are you using it? To faithful believers, this game will be just another game to enjoy after they have given God the praise and devotion He deserves. To others, it will be another opportunity for them to submit to the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11).

--James Hayes

I thought this was an excellent article and makes a great point. Thanks to James who is a good friend and a capable gospel preacher.

Phil