HOW DID THAT WORK FOR YOU?

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
October 2, 2012

Most of you know that my house is filled with little Packer fans and I am one too. Okay, it is even past being just fans, my nephews and parents all are “owners”. I started it by buying my parents stock in the first round.

Most of us have seen the blown calls by the replacement officials. As I thought about that this week I wonder, “God is there anything I should catch and apply and teach about?” Then this thought came to mind.

We want those that referee to be good at their job – know the rules; apply them the same team to team, game to game; know when to loosen up calls and tighten up; consistent; most of all – make the right call. That did not happen in several games over the weekend and it was clearly evident on the Monday Night call. There is nothing worse at the track when tech is not consistent. We want the right call made (of course in our favorJ).

It is the same in life. As parents we need to be and want to be and our kids want us to be consistent and have good boundaries. As much as kids say they don’t like or want rules, they do, and it is our job to enforce them in a loving kind way. Sure discipline is needed, but it has to be godly discipline.

Then there is the matter of God and Him being the ultimate referee and judge. God does not miss a play. He does not blow a call. He does not show any favoritism. He does not “Let one slide” He can’t! He is God. He is holy, righteous, sovereign, perfect, humble, gentle, just, strong, mighty,… That is a scary thought because when I think of the Ten Commandments and we studied them before, we know, I know I fall far short of them. I am declared – “SINNER”! So what hope do I have? I have blown it and sinned and God is the perfect judge and He can see I have sinned. He knew it! He (God the Father) knew you and I were going to sin so He provided another part of Himself, of the trinity. The Son, Jesus, God incarnate, would come to Earth and live a sinless, perfect life and then die on the cross. Jesus then was raised from the dead and our opportunity opened up.

Romans makes it clear: Romans 3:10-11 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one"; 11 "there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." Romans 3:23-24 23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", 24 "and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 10:9-13 9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." 10 "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him," 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Take your time and read this slowly again!

Remember God is a perfect ref and just like in most sports there is a penalty and in some a penalty box. In this case we are not talking about a 5 or 15 yards penalty. We are talking about eternity. You should want to do whatever it takes to make sure heaven is your eternal destination. After all it is torment vs. rest; darkness vs. light; screaming in pain vs. praises and worship in joy; it is being with the LORD God or without Him forever.

See you at LaCrosse Speedway and have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd