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first baptist church, zachary, la

As I write this article, all eyes are on Miami, Florida, the 2010 home of the Super Bowl. Each year, the Super Bowl demonstrates itself to be one of the greatest sporting events, and for the Gulf Coast audience, Sunday's game is one of the biggest events ever. The New Orleans Saints have finally shaken the "ain'ts" mentality and embraced a winning attitude. The black and gold "who dat" nation is longing for its first ever championship, and it appears to be in sight. Now I must admit, this Mississippi boy has always rooted for the Saints. After all, we didn't have a pro football team in my home state. Too many cows and tractors - not enough people. So I join with many of you to cheer on Brees and his supporting cast in Sunday's performance.

But let me spiritualize just a moment here (for I am a preacher). We live daily in the anticipation of a Super Coming. Don't forget that! Jesus Christ will come again one day to meet the opponent on the field of battle, and He will utterly vanquish them (Revelations 19-20). There should be no doubt about this. Victory is certain. I don't have to check the line score (not that this is my practice now). I don't have to check the adversary's injury list. I don't have to hope for some game changing play. I know that He will be on the winning side!

In fact, the Lord has brought me alongside of Him to enjoy the victory. I'm not just a spectator in the stands; I am a participant in the game. And I am on the winning side: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5 KJV). Believers have already overcome the world, and we're simply waiting on Christ to come for its ultimate realization. Even in death, we anticipate the victorious resurrection from the grave. It is the reason that many cemeteries are aligned so that the buried will face the East - the direction of the Lord's return. It is an act of faith and anticipation.

Until then, what do we do? We prepare ourselves and seek to make a difference for the kingdom. No one knows when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). Anyone who pretends to set a date is a liar, and the truth does not reside in him. The Lord will come unexpectedly as a "thief in the night" (Matthew 24:43). His coming will be sooner that some expect (Matthew 24:48-50) and later than others expect (Matthew 25: 1-13). Thus, we live prepared to meet Him at any moment.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY CHANGE
We have moved our Sunday night service from 6:00 pm to 4:00 pm this week. During this service, we hope to capitalize on the day's events by providing a lead-in to the Super Bowl. We'll do a couple of things in a different but meaningful way during that service. After the 4:00 pm worship, invite someone to your house to watch the game. It may b a Sunday School classmate or a friend. It may even be a person relatively new to our congregation. This time of fellowship could really make someone feel welcomed in our church. To be honest, it is through such venues that people really get to know one another. Instead of retreating to your own priorities, use the opportunity for the kingdom's sake.