Core Scripture: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

Message: I LOVE March Madness!  The brackets.  The Cinderella stories.  The countless games you can stream for free.  Cheering on my Jayhawks.  The buzzer beaters.  The fans.  The dramatic storylines.  Give me a plateful of chicken wings, five jumbo screen TVs, and my favorite teams all playing simultaneously, and I am in hog heaven.

It all starts this Thursday.  I cannot wait!  You may disagree, but I will boldly declare the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the best sports event ever created.  Better than the Super Bowl.  Better than the Olympics.  And so much better than the World Cup.  March Madness is just … BETTER! 

All that being said, there is a desperate need to be watchful.  Satan is lurking in the shadows, a lion ready to attack at any time, and if I am not careful, he can take something beautiful like March Madness and create an idol.  Although I may be tempted to, I must refuse to overindulge.  I cannot skip work, negate my family, and get fat on chicken wings when God needs me elsewhere. 

I am not saying March Madness is bad.  I guarantee I will watch my fair share of games, fill out my bracket later today, and maybe even meet up with some friends to watch the Jayhawks play.  I simply need to be leery.  I can’t be glued to the TV when my wife needs my attention.  I can’t skip work or call in sick because the bills need to be paid.  I can’t use March Madness as an escape from reality, living in an alternative world where no other needs exist. 

In chapter 8 of the book Fighting Shadows, the authors talk about the shadow of apathy.  Apathy is one of Satan’s deadliest tricks to derail men.  It tells an interesting story about a small boy dangling from a balcony, seconds away from falling to his death.  A 22-year-old stranger saw the kid, climbed the building, and rescued the boy.  He was dubbed “the French Spiderman” and was granted citizenship in France for his heroic act.

Pretty cool!  Not so cool that someone left that poor kid all alone.  Turns out the father had left his son alone to go shopping, and then delayed his return home to play Pokemon Go.  The dad was so wrapped up in his own agenda that he was nearly responsible for his son’s death! 

The French Spiderman, however, was there to take action.  He didn’t let his own agenda get in the way of an opportunity to save someone’s life.  As a matter of fact, he was on his way to watch a huge soccer match on TV.  Real Madrid versus Liverpool.  He could have sat back and watched, hoping someone else would rescue the kid, but he took action.  He didn’t let watching Ronaldo get in the way of living out God’s will for him. 

God gives us opportunities on a daily basis to serve.  I must ask myself regularly, am I seeing the world through His eyes?  Am I serving others or my own agenda?  Am I trying to escape reality, avoiding opportunities to make a difference?  Am I allowing something like March Madness to take priority over my time with the Lord?  Am I rushing through my quiet time or negating it all together to watch the latest highlights?

Satan isn’t going to stop.  He will hurl temptation after temptation until he trips me up, and yes, I am certain to trip.  I am by no means a perfect man, but I suppose that is what God’s grace is for, right?  I cling to it like a child clinging to their favorite stuffed animal.  I need it.  Everyday I need it.  We all do.  Jesus didn’t die for nothing, did He?

I am curious though … Where does apathy come into play for you?  What have you lost feeling for that you need to rekindle the flame for?  What are you avoiding for your own agenda as opposed to being obedient to what God wants from you?  What idols are you placing ahead of God?  Where are you escaping reality to live in a fantasy world, allowing what NEEDS to be done to be put on the back burner?

Take up your sword.  Step into the battle.  Get back in the game.  Show the world that you give a darn, and do something about the problems you see around you.  Fight the good fight!  We are in a spiritual battle every stinkin’ day, and the moment we become content with apathetic attitudes is the moment Satan’s vice grip on our lives becomes potent.    

Challenge: Don’t be lazy.  Act against apathy.  Like now. 

Bible study: Read Luke 10:25-37.  Journal about or discuss the following questions …

1. Why do you think the priest and the Levite avoided helping the wounded man?
2. How did the Samaritan go above and beyond to help the wounded man?
3. When you see people in need, do you act or sit back hoping others step in?
4. How can we see the people God places in our lives who need help?

Just for fun: Dude Perfect’s March Madness Stereotypes video never fails to bring a laugh to me, and I hope it does to you too.

Prayer: Lord, help me step up to fight the apathy affecting my life.  Expose it, and eliminate it by living out Your will in my life.  Amen.