reetings, holy children of God, in the wonderful name of our lord and saviour Jesus, the Christ. The sermon subject for today is:

GOD HAS SAID THESE WORDS HOS:4:6 MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: IF A MAN TRANSGRESSES THE LAWS OF A CITY, STATE, OR NATION, IT IS CALLED A CRIME. IF A MAN TRANSGRESSES THE LAWS OF GOD IT IS CALLED A SIN. A MAN MAY ESCAPE PUNISHMENT FOR A CRIME FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE. BUT MEN SHALL NOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT FOR THE WILLFUL SIN AFTER THEY COME INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, FOR GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU. GOD COUNTS YOUR FOOTSTEPS AS YOU WALK, RECORDS YOUR WORDS AS YOU SPEAK, EVEN HAS THE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD NUMBERED. AND JUDGMENT DAY, PAY DAY, IS COMING. FOOTBALL IS PROBABLY THE MOST POPULAR GAME OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE GAME. LET ME EXPLAIN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE CONTEST BY SAYING, FOOTBALL IS A GAME PLAYED WITH TWO TEAMS OPPOSING ONE THE OTHER, AND ONE FOOTBALL. THE BALL IS AN INFLATED RUBBER BAG IN A LEATHER COVER. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO SCORE POINTS BY CARRYING THE BALL OVER THE OPPONENTS GOAL LINE, OR BY KICKING THE BALL THROUGH THE UPRIGHT BARS OF THE OPPONENTS GOAL POST. WHEN YOU APPLY THE CHRISTIAN PRINCIPALS TO THIS GAME ; IT BECOMES QUITE CLEAR THAT THIS GAME, THIS SPORTING EVENT, COMES NOT FROM THE LORD GOD, BUT FROM THE DEVIL. THAT IT MIGHT CRIPPLE, AND CAUSE MANY TO BE INVALID. Lk:16:15 AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE THEY WHICH JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN; BUT GOD KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS; FOR THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. YOU CAN READ THROUGH THE BIBLE CAREFULLY, AND YOU WILL NOT FIND WERE THE LORD GOD COMMANDS HIS ELECT TO ABSTAIN FROM PLAYING FOOTBALL, PLAYING POKER, BOXING, WRESTLING, TAKING PART IN AN EATING CONTEST, NOR TAKING PART IN A HIGH DIVING CONTEST. GOD ALMIGHTY SIMPLY COMMANDS ALL OF HIS CHILDREN TO ABSTAIN FROM THE SIN OF EMULATIONS. EMULATION DEFINED IS BEING A COMPETITOR, TRYING TO RIVAL, TRYING TO EQUAL OR EXCEED SOMEONE AT THE SAME THING. EMULATION, WHICH IS SPELLED E.M.U.L. A.T.I.O.N. IS A VERY GRIEVOUS SIN. IT IS LISTED AMONG SUCH SINS AS ADULTERY, WITCHCRAFT, MURDER. IT IS A SIN THAT WILL CAUSE YOU MUCH PAIN AND SUFFERING IN THIS PRESENT WORLD, AND IN THE WORLD TO COME, IN THE KINGDOM TO COME, EMULATION WILL CAUSE THOSE THAT COMMIT THE SIN OF EMULATIONS TO LOSE THEIR INHERITANCE OF SUCH MARVELOUS GIFTS AS ETERNAL LIFE, AND THE IMMORTAL BODY, AND A CITY CALLED NEW JERUSALEM. READING FROM THE BOOK OF GAL5:19 NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE MANIFEST, WHICH ARE THESE; ADULTERY, FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, LASCIVIOUSNESS, 20. IDOLATRY, WITCHCRAFT, HATRED, VARIANCE, EMULATIONS, WRATH, STRIFE, SEDITIONS, HERESIES, 21. ENVYING, MURDERS, DRUNKENNESS, REVELING, AND SUCH LIKE; OF THE WHICH I TELL YOU BEFORE, AS I HAVE ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIME PAST, THAT THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. NOT LONG AGO I WAS AT A CHURCH SOCIAL, AND THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN SITTING CLOSE TO ME, AND WE WERE WATCHING SOME CHILDREN PLAYING VOLLEYBALL. AND, I SAID TO HIM, “ DO YOU KNOW THAT COMPETITION IS AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION?” AND, I TOLD HIM OF THE SIN OF EMULATION. AND HE GOT UP OUT OF HIS CHAIR, AND WENT OUT AND BEGIN PLAYING VOLLEYBALL WITH THE CHILDREN. IT DID NOT SURPRISE ME AT ALL, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE CARNAL MIND IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF GOD NEITHER INDEED CAN BE. READING FROM ROMANS 8:5 FOR THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH; BUT THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPIRIT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. 6. FOR TO BE CARNAL MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE. 7. BECAUSE THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD; FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE. THE CARNAL MIND IS THE MIND OF SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY GHOST. WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST, THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL COMES TO LIFE. WHEN THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL COMES TO LIFE, THE SOUL DELIGHTS IN THE LAWS OF GOD. ROM7:22 FOR I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF GOD AFTER THE INWARD MAN. ONCE A PERSON HAS RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST, THEY MUST BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT THEY DO, AND WHAT THEY SAY. WHEN THE ELECT FIRST RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST THEY ARE A BABE IN CHRIST. AND NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES WILL FROM TIME TO TIME DO THOSE THINGS IN IGNORANCE THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF GOD. WHEN THEY COME INTO THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE TRANSGRESSED THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD IF THEY CONFESS THEIR SIN IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM. 1Jn:1:9: 1JN:1:9 IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. ONCE A PERSON RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST, AND COMES INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH; THEY KNOW ABOUT REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS, AND FAITH TOWARD GOD, THEY KNOW ABOUT BAPTISM, AND THE LAYING ON OF HANDS, AND THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND THE ETERNAL JUDGMENT; IF THEY SIN WILFULLY, THERE IS NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SIN. HEB;10:26 FOR IF WE SIN WILFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, 27. BUT A CERTAIN FEARFUL LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT AND FIERY INDIGNATION, WHICH SHALL DEVOUR THE ADVERSARIES. 28. HE THAT DESPISED MOSES’ LAW DIED WITHOUT MERCY UNDER TWO OR THREE WITNESSES; 29. OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT, SUPPOSE YE, SHALL HE BE THOUGHT WORTHY, WHO HATH TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, AND HATH COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, AN UNHOLY THING, AND HATH DONE DESPITE UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE? 30. FOR WE KNOW HIM THAT HATH SAID, VENGEANCE BELONGETH UNTO ME, I WILL RECOMPENSE, SAITH THE LORD, AND AGAIN, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. 31. IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD. I AM PERSUADED THERE IS NO SPORT THAT BREAKS MORE ARMS AND LEGS, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY, THAN FOOTBALL. FOOTBALL IS A VERY VIOLENT ATHLETIC CONTEST, THAT TEACHES YOUNG MEN TO BE EXTREMELY VIOLENT. IF FOOTBALL BREAKS ARMS, AND LEGS, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY, YOU MAY ASK THIS QUESTION, WHY DO MEN PLAY THIS GAME? IF MONEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF FOOTBALL I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD SOON BE A THING OF THE PAST. WHEN YOU SEE EVIL THINK MONEY, FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. 1TM:6:10 FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL; WHICH WHILE SOME COVETED AFTER, THEY HAVE ERRED FROM THE FAITH, AND PIERCED THEMSELVES THROUGH WITH MANY SORROWS. SOME ATHLETES MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PLAYING DIFFERENT SPORTS. FOOTBALL IS A VIOLENT GAME, AND WE KNOW THAT GOD DESTROYED THE FIRST WORLD BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE. READING FROM GENESIS 6:12 AND GOD LOOKED UPON THE EARTH, AND, BEHOLD IT WAS CORRUPT FOR ALL FLESH HAD CORRUPTED HIS WAY UPON THE EARTH 13. AND GOD SAID UNTO NOAH, THE END OF ALL FLESH IS COME BEFORE ME. FOR THE EARTH IS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE THROUGH THEM. AND, BEHOLD, I WILL DESTROY THEM WITH THE EARTH. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT TO BE VIOLENT PEOPLE. WHEN A BROTHER SAYS THAT HE IS A CHRISTIAN, THAT MEANS THAT HE IS CHRIST LIKE, AND JESUS CHRIST DID VIOLENCE TO NO MAN, IS:53:9 AND HE MADE HIS GRAVE WITH THE WICKED, AND WITH THE RICH IN HIS DEATH; BECAUSE HE HAD DONE NO VIOLENCE, NEITHER WAS ANY DECEIT IN HIS MOUTH. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT WE, AS CHILDREN OF GOD , LIVE A QUIET AND PEACEFUL LIFE. FOOTBALL TEACHES EMULATION, TEACHES VIOLENCE, BUT IT ALSO TEACHES MEN TO COVET. LET ME DEFINE THE WORD “ COVET.” IT IS THE WRONGFUL DESIRE TO POSSESS THAT WHICH BELONGS TO ANOTHER. IT IS THE LUSTING FOR, YEARNING FOR, THAT WHICH BELONGS TO ANOTHER. HOW DOES FOOTBALL TEACH MEN TO COVET? THERE ARE TWO TEAMS, AND ONE BALL, ONE TEAM HAS THE BALL AND THE OTHER TEAM COVETS IT. MEN DO NOT MIND BREAKING A PERSON’S LEG, OR HIS ARM TO GET TO THE BALL. MEN THAT HAVE LEARNED TO COVET MAY COVET A MAN’S WIFE, OR HIS MONEY, OR HIS LAND. WE, AS CHRISTIANS, ARE NOT TO UNLAWFULLY COVET WHAT ANOTHER MAN OWNS. IF ANY MAN, THAT IS CALLED A BROTHER IS COVETOUS WE ARE NOT TO EAT WITH HIM. 1 COR.5:19 I WROTE UNTO YOU IN AN EPISTLE NOT TO COMPANY WITH FORNICATORS 10. YET NOT ALTOGETHER WITH THE FORNICATORS OF THIS WORLD, OR WITH THE COVETOUS, OR EXTORTIONERS, OR WITH IDOLATERS; FOR THEN MUST YE NEEDS GO OUT OF THE WORLD. 11. BUT NOW I HAVE WRITTEN UNTO YOU NOT TO KEEP COMPANY IF ANY MAN THAT IS CALLED A BROTHER BE A FORNICATOR, OR COVETOUS, OR AN IDOLATER, OR A RAILER, OR A DRUNKARD, OR AN EXTORTIONER; WITH SUCH NO NOT TO EAT. CHRISTIAN BRETHREN, FOOTBALL TEACHES MEN TO WEAR NUMBERS PROUDLY, AND WE KNOW THAT THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING. AND ALL THAT DO NOT HAVE THEIR NAMES WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE SHALL TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, WHICH IS A NUMBER IN THEIR RIGHT HAND OR IN THEIR FOREHEAD. RV;13:16 AND HE CAUSETH ALL, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT, RICH AND POOR, FREE AND BOND, TO RECEIVE A MARK IN THEIR RIGHT HAND, OR IN THEIR FOREHEADS. 17. AND THAT NO MAN MIGHT BUY OR SELL, SAVE HE THAT HAD THE MARK, OR THE NAME OF THE BEAST, OR THE NUMBER OF HIS NAME. 18. HERE IS WISDOM, LET HIM THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING COUNT THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST: FOR IT IS THE NUMBER OF A MAN; AND HIS NUMBER IS SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX. BELOVED, IF ANY MAN TAKES THE MARK OF THE BEAST, HE WILL BURN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE FOR EVER. RV:14:9 AND THE THIRD ANGEL FOLLOWED THEM, SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, IF ANY MAN WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND RECEIVE HIS MARK IN HIS FOREHEAD, OR IN HIS HAND, 10. THE SAME SHALL DRINK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD, WHICH IS POURED OUT WITHOUT MIXTURE INTO THE CUP OF HIS INDIGNATION ; AND HE SHALL BE TORMENTED WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY ANGELS, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LAMB. 11. AND THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT ASCENDETH UP FOR EVER AND EVER; AND THEY HAVE NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT, WHO WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND WHOSOEVER RECEIVETH THE MARK OF HIS NAME. IT MUST BE A GRAND FEELING TO PLAY THE GAME OF FOOTBALL WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CHEERING FOR YOU; TO RUN ACROSS THE GOAL LINE AND HEAR THE CROWD ROAR. BUT WHAT PRICE VICTORY? A BROKEN, AND BRUISED BODY WOULD SEEMINGLY BE A HIGH ENOUGH PRICE, BUT THE PRICE IS MUCH HIGHER. SATAN THE DEVIL IS AFTER THE GREATEST POSSESSION THAT YOU POSSESS, YOUR SOUL. MT:16:26 FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? BROTHERS, AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, YOU MAY ENJOY PLAYING FOOTBALL, AND YOU MAY ENJOY THE MONEY THAT THE GAME BRINGS IN. BUT THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, AND PAY DAY IS COMING. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO SELL HIS SOUL ? YES, THE BIBLE RECORDS THAT IN BABYLON YOU COULD BUY A MAN’S SOUL. RV:18:11 AND THE MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH SHALL WEEP AND MOURN OVER HER; FOR NO MAN BUYETH THEIR MERCHANDISE ANY MORE; 12. THE MERCHANDISE OF GOLD, AND SILK, AND SCARLET, AND ALL THYINE WOOD, AND ALL MANNER VESSELS OF IVORY, AND ALL MANNER VESSELS OF PRECIOUS WOOD, AND OF BRASS, AND IRON, AND MARBLE. 13. CINNAMON, AND ODOURS, AND OINTMENTS, AND FRANKINCENSE, AND WINE, AND OIL, AND FINE FLOUR, AND WHEAT, AND BEASTS, AND SHEEP, AND HORSES, AND CHARIOTS, AND SLAVES, AND SOULS OF MEN. WHAT IS LAW? IT IS RULES OF CONDUCT SET FORTH BY AUTHORITY. WHAT IS AUTHORITY? IT IS ONE THAT HAS THE POWER TO GIVE COMMANDS, DEMAND OBEDIENCE, AND PUNISH THE OFFENDERS. GOD’S LAWS CANNOT BE ALTERED, CANNOT BE CHANGED.. THE LAWS OF THE MEDES, AND PERSIANS COULD NOT BE ALTERED, IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT DANIEL WAS CAST INTO THE LIONS DEN, EVEN THOUGH THE KING WANTED TO SPARE HIS LIFE. JN:10:35 IF HE CALLED THEM GODS, UNTO WHOM THE WORD OF GOD CAME, AND THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN: YOU MAY ASK ME THIS QUESTION, IF FOOTBALL IS SUCH A TERRIBLE SIN, WHY DON’T OTHER PREACHERS PREACH AGAINST FOOTBALL? FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING; SPORTS, ATHLETIC EVENTS, COMPETITION, ESPECIALLY FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, BOXING, AND WRESTLING, AND OTHER SPORTS, ARE SACRED COWS OF THIS PRESENT WORLD. ANYONE THAT CRITICIZES IT, ATTACKS IT, WILL MOST LIKELY BE DESPISED, AND REJECTED OF THE MEN OF THIS WORLD. EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN CHILDREN RECEIVE BROKEN BONES IN THESE CONTEST. SURELY, YOU PARENTS MUST KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE CONTESTS, WHEN YOU SEE YOUR OWN CHILDREN LAYING HURT UPON THE GROUNDS WERE SPORTS ARE PLAYED. SAINTS OF GOD LET THE BIBLE, THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD GROOM YOU TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH JESUS, THE ONE THAT LOVED YOU, AND GAVE HIS LIFE THAT YOU MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST THESE THINGS WILL RADIATE FROM THEM, LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE AGAINST SUCH, THERE IS NO LAW. IT IS THE HOLY GHOST THAT GIVES THE SAINTS OF GOD, THE POWER TO PREACH, OR TEACH, OR WITNESS, AND TO LIVE THE SIN FREE LIFE. 1JN3:9 WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN; FOR HIS SEED REMAINETH IN HIM; AND HE CANNOT SIN, BECAUSE HIS BORN OF GOD. THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD WORTH BEING THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE, A PLACE OF NO HOPE. LK:16:30 AND HE SAID, NAY FATHER ABRAHAM; BUT IF ONE WENT UNTO THEM FROM THE DEAD, THEY WILL REPENT. 31. AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, IF THEY HEAR NOT MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, NEITHER WILL THEY BE PERSUADED, THOUGH ONE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. WE, AS CHILDREN OF GOD, ARE GOING TO LIVE IN A CITY CALLED NEW JERUSALEM. A CITY WHOSE BUILDER IS GOD. A CITY WHERE THERE ARE NO PRISONS, FOR THERE ARE NO WICKED, A CITY WERE THERE ARE NO GRAVEYARDS, FOR THERE IS NO DEATH THERE, A CITY WERE THE STREET IS GOLD, AND HAS MANY MANSIONS. A CITY OF LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE. THE MIND CANNOT IMAGINE THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE OF US THAT LOVE HIM. THE PRIZE IS WORTH THE WAIT.