SPIRITUAL FOOTBALL: IN THE BOOK OR ON THE FIELD?

“Signs and wonders are manifestations of the kingdom. When the kingdom is near, miracles are near, too. Jesus told them, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive our demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Mathew 10:8).

Later, when Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and clothe them with power, he also told them why they were receiving the power – so that they could be witnesses of His death and resurrection (see Luke 24:48-49). Because of this power, they didn’t have to be fearful. Deadly things would not hurt them.

It sounds so easy. Jesus gave them the power, and they were able to use it. So why can’t we?

The church has made several mistakes in this area. We still place too much emphasis on understanding and studying and not enough emphasis on doing and practicing.

Did the disciples sit around studying books every day? No! They followed Jesus and did what He said to do. They learned the needed skills by doing. They didn’t wait until they had acquired tremendous knowledge about the theological aspects of healing. They just went out and obeyed.

Unlike the disciples, we think we might get to see power manifested in our lives – but only if we study and learn enough. This is like some guy who tried to learn to play football by studying the playbook. He knew the playbook backwards and forwards. He even bought a book on everything you always wanted to know about football. He had marked, underlined, and memorized it. Then one day someone called,

“Hey, Joe! Do you know how to play football?

“Yeah, man. I read about it all the time in the book.”

“No, Joe. I’m not talking about a book. Have you ever gotten out on the field and played football?”

“My football is in the book. I play in the book.”

Joe’s friend explained that the book is just preparation for experiencing the real thing. You can’t substitute a study of something for the real experience of it. If Joe never gets out on the field, he will never learn to play the game, no matter how much knowledge he has.

Many Christians act like Joe in regard to spiritual matters. We want to learn about spiritual truths by simply studying the Book instead of going into the real world and doing what the Bible says. Just as football players need exercise, practice, and training on the field, so do Christians. And the more we practice, the better we become.”

The football game doesn’t end when the coach finishes his pep talk to the team before the game. And the real activity of the Christian church doesn’t end when the Sunday service is over. That’s when it should be beginning.”