60 Minutes

Super Bowl Sunday! The day millions of Americans anticipated, planned for and dreamed of. The opportunity to party with friends, enjoy good food, lots of laugh and the chance to see their favorite team or their team of choice have their chance to attain the ultimate price.

The players spent countless hours in training, watching films, in meetings and mentally preparing themselves. Hundreds of thousands of households have planned small to elaborate events to celebrate the occasion.

It is estimated that over 100 million viewers were transfixed in front of a television set in eager anticipation, and the luckiest of the lucky had in their possession the coveted Super Bowl ticket, which sold for an average $2,941. 

60 minutes that would change the lives and legacy of two NFL organizations forever.

What about you? James 4:14 reads: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

If you were told that the total sum of your life came down to 60 minutes what would be your reaction?

• Would you reach out to those that you know are hurting because of a careless word or action you may have displayed?
• Would you tell those close to you how much you love or admire them?

What’s stopping you from doing that today? Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

OR

• Would you begin to make radical changes in your life?
• Would you turn to God in a way like you never have before?
• Would you begin to earnestly apply biblical principals to your life?

What’s holding you back? 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 reads, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”

Acts Chapter 2 speaks of the Day of Pentecost. A day when God-fearing Jews (those who already believed in God’s word) from every nation came together in Jerusalem. It was during this gathering that Peter stood and addressed the crowd:

Acts 2:14-39:

Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
 I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
 your young men will see visions,
 your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
 I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
 and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
 and signs on the earth below,
 blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
 and the moon to blood
 before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
 on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
 Because he is at my right hand,
 I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
 my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
 you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
 you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
 “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
 a footstool for your feet.”’

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

What about you? 

• How much work have you put in?
• To what extent are you willing to go to receive the ultimate prize?
• What worldly desires are you willing to sacrifice to obtain the lasting prize, the crown of salvation?

Remember, God is a God of grace and each new day provides us with the opportunity to begin again. Choose God and may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!!!