The Price of the Prize
Terry J. Hallock
Romans 8:16-17
February 13, 2000
One of the things that became apparent following this year's "Super Bowl" was the different manner in which NFL players deal with the prize of wealth and fame.
Curt Warner of the St. Louis Rams has used his sudden popularity and success as an opportunity for witnessing about his relationship with Jesus and establishing himself as an encouragement to others still pursuing their dreams. The late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs used his substantial income and fame to touch the poor, minister to sick children and encourage young men attending the same school for troubled teens he attended as a youth.
In stark contrast a member of the Carolina Panthers was arrested a month ago for planning the drive-by murder of his fiancée who was carrying the player's unborn child. On the night of the Super Bowl a member of the Baltimore Ravens was charged with participating in the stabbing deaths of two men outside an Atlanta nightclub.
Four men blessed with the same prize but only two understood that with every prize comes a price, with every opportunity comes a cost and with every blessing comes an accounting. Handed their prize, men like Kurt Warner and Derrick Thomas paid the price of stewardship and turned the power of their prize into compassion and generosity. While others clutching the same prize have refused to pay its price and have only used it for selfishness and shame. Because of their choices two of the four continued to hold the power of the prize and be touched by its blessings while the others who would not pay the price will not only lose the prize but will pay a cost far greater than that which in their selfishness they tried to avoid.
Which brings us to our Christian walk. Turn to Romans 8:16-17 and let's begin by looking at the first verse and one-half of that passage. "The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are childr ...
Terry J. Hallock
Romans 8:16-17
February 13, 2000
One of the things that became apparent following this year's "Super Bowl" was the different manner in which NFL players deal with the prize of wealth and fame.
Curt Warner of the St. Louis Rams has used his sudden popularity and success as an opportunity for witnessing about his relationship with Jesus and establishing himself as an encouragement to others still pursuing their dreams. The late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs used his substantial income and fame to touch the poor, minister to sick children and encourage young men attending the same school for troubled teens he attended as a youth.
In stark contrast a member of the Carolina Panthers was arrested a month ago for planning the drive-by murder of his fiancée who was carrying the player's unborn child. On the night of the Super Bowl a member of the Baltimore Ravens was charged with participating in the stabbing deaths of two men outside an Atlanta nightclub.
Four men blessed with the same prize but only two understood that with every prize comes a price, with every opportunity comes a cost and with every blessing comes an accounting. Handed their prize, men like Kurt Warner and Derrick Thomas paid the price of stewardship and turned the power of their prize into compassion and generosity. While others clutching the same prize have refused to pay its price and have only used it for selfishness and shame. Because of their choices two of the four continued to hold the power of the prize and be touched by its blessings while the others who would not pay the price will not only lose the prize but will pay a cost far greater than that which in their selfishness they tried to avoid.
Which brings us to our Christian walk. Turn to Romans 8:16-17 and let's begin by looking at the first verse and one-half of that passage. "The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are childr ...
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