SermonStudio

Purpose Statement: Will the fanaticism we see in spectators at sporting events ever become a part of our church life?

It may seem too far removed -- the sports world from the church -- for there to be any relationship between the two. Yet, it seems legitimate to ask how much some of our cultural mores, values, behavior, idiosyncrasies, and lifestyles will affect our church life. That would include sporting events. After all, it is the same crowd that haunts the stadium that frequents the chapel, or at least there is some overlap. It can be distressing to think our church members are in the stands with their shirts off and bodies and faces painted, screaming with their fingers in the air. Their performance is especially inspiring when they notice the camera panning them. What if the values and conduct displayed at the ball game contribute to their expectations in church? This inquiry should include other cultural elements: for instance, how the disposable mentality affects the church (see sermon X-4, "Religion In A Disposable Society") and what relationship our superhero phenomenon will have for our faith (see sermon Y-3, "Batman, Wonder Woman, And Other Superheroes"). Sports fans' behavior may be becoming more bizarre in its enthusiasm. Even the staid game of golf is attracting obnoxious fans. Soccer fans have been known to stampede each other to death.

Some of these sports fans appeared in Jerusalem around the year 30 A.D. After a large crowd enthusiastically greeted Jesus as he entered the city, Luke 23:13-25 tells us later in the week the crowd (were any of them a part of the Palm Sunday crowd?) cried, "Crucify him and release the murderer, Barabbas." Some of our Friday night fight fans were at the cross mocking Jesus. What lies behind such behavior and how does that enter into our religious situation?

a. We need to identify with a winner. Our egos are very fragile and need stroking. Some of us suffer from a low self-esteem. We question our worth and adequacy, wondering if our lives are successful enough. Sublimation can take the form of identifying with a winner, which may be a sports team. Our identification can become very intense and produce the unseemly behavior at games that embarrasses us. When our team wins, we win. When our team loses, we lose. If we don't think we have enough going for ourselves, a loss by our team can be hard to endure. While the Sunday morning crowd may not be the same crowd that attended Saturday's game, a few of us in church could use some bolstering from time to time, and be reminded that God loves us. Showing love to one another is unbelievably nurturing and healing, and we don't need to identify with a winner because we are all winners.

b. We like to have a common enemy (opponent). An athletic team may have a great esprit de corps. Fans may experience team spirit. Some disposable youth may find community of some sorts within gangs. Nations rally around a war effort. A common denominator is having an opponent or protagonist with which to struggle. Such an archrival or an unpopular opponent unites us in spirit as a team against the foe in another "we" versus "them" scenario. It extends from a friendly rivalry to a tragic level where we attack another nation. We all want to be a part of a team effort, working together to achieve a goal, win a prize, or destroy evil. Unfortunately at times, this takes on the nature of a patriotic frenzy to destroy others of God's children that we have labeled an enemy after dehumanizing them. The church and Christians must be careful that other "lost" people or "misguided" churches don't become a common opponent. Our team spirit or fellowship must be united in a wholesome version of community. Our common foe will be evil, injustice, poverty, hate, war, and distortion of truth. Ours is the positive reconciling, caring, peacemaking teamwork that is mutually inclusive.