The LCA provides this sermon edited for lay-reading, with thanks to the original author.
Pentecost 11 (Proper 13), Year C
Colossians 3:1-15
Here we are in the middle of winter and the footy season is ramping up to the finals. So, today we will use the game of Rugby as a parable of our lives as Christians.
When Jesus came into the world he was kicked deep into enemy territory. Soon King Herod and his mates were out to kill Jesus – “Typical League” some would say!
We all know what it feels like to be a football in this life. One moment we are sailing through the air towards the scoring line, gaining ground and travelling well through life. Then suddenly we are going in the opposite direction, passed along from one enemy to another: from despair to the loss of a close friend or the loss of a job. It seems one minute we are going one way and the next minute the opposite. Martin Luther described the life of a Christian in this world as both a saint and a sinner. A Christian is always a saint who is perfect because of Jesus, but we are also a sinner because of our selfish human nature. Just like the Rugby match- it’s a constant struggle between opposite sides!
How do we know which side is winning? We must ask the referee. The role of the referee is crucial. There could be no successful interstate grudge match between Queensland and New South Wales if there was no referee to control the match. It would be chaos without the referee: one big fight! The referee needs to be honoured and respected for his important role and what he says goes!
He decides if there is any foul play and a penalty is to be given. The players don’t make those decisions. He decides (with the help of the video referee) if a try has been made - not the players.
The referee decides if someone gets sent to the Sin Bin and when the referee blows his whistle, the match is over.
The referee, of course, represents God. So we honour and respect God for his important role in our lives.
In the Gospel for today there is the account of a player who thinks he is both the player and the referee. Some players are like that. This player commentates on all the great things he has done in the game of life he is competing in. He doesn’t mention any of the other players. He plays only for himself. In extra time he’s going to “tear down his barns and build bigger ones” and then he is going to take it easy and celebrate. “Eat, drink and be merry!” No doubt there will be a footy club weekend away and all that entails too.
But the referee says to him, “You fool. There is no time on for you. Your career is finished. There is no time for a celebration party and no time for you to go on a weekend away.” It is a sharp reminder to the player that he isn’t the referee: God is. God might also say to him, “You only ever played for yourself. You missed the whole point of your life. You never played for the others – the team. You didn’t listen to or respect the referee. You whole career has been a waste. Now you are being sent off to the sin bin. Your time is up as a player. The siren has sounded.”
What does God the referee say about your spiritual efforts and mine, and the vital rules for living and playing in this life?
In the second reading for today, in Colossians chapter 3, the text talks about playing, and advises us, “Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desires” – or one gets sent to the sin bin.
“Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.” A penalty goal to the other side! You used to play like that in your life when you were still playing for your old team. “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language.” In verse 9 it adds, “Don’t lie to each other.”For any of the above plays you earn a penalty and the ball goes to the opposition.
What does God the referee say about playing for the team and scoring points? In verse 12 we read about the new uniform he supplies, “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
How should we treat our team members? Verse 13 says, “You must make allowances for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” The Lord is our coach who teaches and encourages us to play our best and gives us a second chance when we fail...and a third chance, and a fourth chance, and so on.
How do we score a try? “The most important piece of clothing you wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
When we hear of perfect love, we are hearing about the greatest try scorer of all time: Jesus. He also went to the sin bin! He took time out. He was sentenced by the tribunal on behalf of all the other players in life, including you and me. “For you died when Christ died,” the text says in verse three.
Jesus went onto the field and he played as your substitute and mine. No one ever played like he did. With his unselfish love he scored the Golden Try in “time on” when it seemed death would be the winner. There is the wonderful promise, “And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
Because Jesus played the perfect game for us as our substitute, we are saints. We could not have played better. The referee decided that. God decides on your life and mine. And God has counted Jesus’ life as ours. Don’t argue with the referee: He is always right! Through Jesus you are the winner.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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