The Church I belong to meets on Sunday nights at six o’ clock. We meet at 6pm because this is the sliver of time the Lord has allotted to us. He has given us a place to meet, and a building to call our home, and that space is only open during the evenings. We love what we have.

One interesting implication of this allotment presents itself in February. We gather for church during the NFL SuperBowl. 

Modern Times, Ancient Patterns

If we were to take the night off, or alter our meeting times, what would that indicate about our hearts before the Lord? This question ought to give us pause. There are numerous similarities between modern sports and the ancient idol cults of the Bible. Mass adoration, a golden image being worshipped, kissed, coveted by the winning team, praying for favorable outcomes, the veneration of key figures and the general willingness to sacrifice time in devotion to a particular game or team. The likeness is striking. 

The book of Isaiah focuses on this theme, decrying the people of God as honoring Him with their lips “while their hearts are far from me,” (Isa. 29:13). Paul takes up this concept in his letter to Rome identifying idolatry as the exchange of “the truth of God for a lie” and the worship of the “creature rather than the Creator,” (Rom. 1:25). 

As someone who loves sports, the month of February causes me to think through my priorities and what I truly value. Is the 9th the Lord’s Day, or is it SuperBowl Sunday? When I see churches changing meeting times to accommodate for viewers, or gatherings being canceled altogether I wonder whether or not we stand in holy differentiation from the rest of the world. The Church is susceptible to the ancient patterns of idolatry hidden by the guise of modern times when we consider making Sunday a day primarily for sport, not a day for the Lord. 

Even if there is not a conflict of time, the heart must still be examined. As Christians our treasure is to be found in the Lord, not a game or a fun hobby. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good game, but the affections must be carefully considered. As I think of that day, what is my heart more excited for: seeing whether or not the chiefs can win their third championship in a row, or spending time worshipping my God and studying His Scriptures? We must avoid syncretism. We must stand opposed to the subtle idolatry of our day. 

Leading With Conviction

As the people of God we must make it our aim to love God and avoid falling in with the idolatrous habits of our culture. How do we do that? 

For some, there is no conflict of scheduling, and the matter is going to be one of the heart before God. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the Super Bowl. But, just like many other things in life, it is something to be enjoyed proportionately. Allow the Spirit to search your heart and help you understand whether or not you might be taking inordinate pleasure in sport. As we set ourselves before the Father in prayer He is faithful to correct us. Allow the Spirit to reshape your affections, rightly preserving your love and enjoyment of God above all else.

For others, like myself, there is a conflict that requires principled action. It is moments like these, when a choice between the last half of the Super Bowl and presence at church presents itself, that we see the condition of our hearts. If you are in a position where you must choose - choose the Lord. Prioritizing church sends a message to the world, to your family, and to your fellow Christians, that the light of your life is no golden ball. 

Principled conviction like this declares with the psalmist “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Ps. 84:10). 

This February, keep the 9th as a day set aside holy unto the Lord, not the NFL.