The great AFL coaching legend, Kevin Sheedy, in an interview, was once asked about footy club supporters. The interviewer wasn’t expecting the reply he gave her, but he was spot on. Sheedy stated that there are barrackers and supporters and that the two are very different. Barrackers make a lot of noise and turn up to footy matches and so on and like to bask in the glory of a footy club’s successes. But supporters, he said, do all of that, but go much further. “They purchase a club membership that helps make the club operational, and they do so every year through the good times and the disappointing seasons. They’re really committed – barrackers are not.” Sheedy is right.
This was a very discerning insight into human nature, I reckon. It illustrates a lot about our society. Many people want to jump onto the band wagon when things are going great, whether that’s a sporting club, an organisation, a business, the government of the day, or even a church. We all love to be part of something successful and barrack for it. I certainly do. Our Aussie culture revolves around this so much. But barracking is a pretty fickle thing as Sheedy observed – it requires the least, if any, kind of investment. When things start to sour the barrackers often begin to drop off – and, often, very quickly. Facebook would have to be the biggest window into this phenomenon these days. When someone previously celebrated and “liked” is criticised, or has miss-stepped in some way (or worse, has been denounced for their views or have had allegations made against them), the “likes” stats can plummet overnight. No one wants to be associated with stigma or failure. Barrackers are often very short term “likers”. Their investment only goes so far.
However, supporters are different. They value success, of course. But supporters are committed over the long term through thick and thin. Supporters commit to something or someone in a way that is deeper than the momentary success. To them success is a by-product of being part of the bigger thing. The point is, we are not visited with “success” every day. We have seasons of disappointment, or hard work that doesn’t necessarily see any success or reward for the investment for some time. But we keep going and we don’t quit believing that better days will come. There was a time in the ministry of Jesus when many “barrackers” stopped barracking and turned away from Him.
John 6:65-69 (NLT)
Then He [Jesus] said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to Me.” 66 At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know You are the Holy One of God.”
When Jesus began to call for serious commitment the barrackers left. They were happy to hang out with miracle-working Jesus, the amazing teacher Jesus – but not the Jesus who called for serious commitment. And, in that moment, Jesus turned to the twelve and basically asks whether they’re going to be barrackers or supporters. Peter speaks up. “Lord, to whom would we go?” In other words, Peter had discovered the way bigger thing and had resolved that Jesus was who He said He was – the Holy One of God (Messiah) – and he was going all the way. Peter was a “supporter”, although, he was more than that, of course. He was a follower of Jesus through thick and thin (yes, he had a moment as we know, but he got back into it and kept going).
Using this footy parlance as an analogy, how would you describe yourself as a believer? Are you a barracker with minimal investment in your faith walk? Or, are you a supporter? Are you full on with all the noise, the shouting, the songs and club colours and paraphernalia when it’s all exciting and fun, or have you really bought in as a committed supporter (follower) of Jesus prepared to do whatever it takes to keep committed regardless of the season? Again, using Sheedy’s descriptor, are you a “supporter” – one who takes up their cross every day to remain loyal and devoted to Jesus and what He wants to perfect in you? This is the bigger thing that supporters value and commit to.
I believe the Church on earth is about to enter a season where it will become very challenging. The Church will be tested in difficult times … and many “barrackers” will be shaken loose. It will all become too hard. Jesus knows who the “barrackers” and “supporters” are. He will know when the Church is shaken and tested, too. He knew that day when many deserted Him …
John 6:64 (NLT)
“But some of you do not believe Me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.)
All of this may sound somewhat strange given last week’s BLOG of a heavy rain that is coming. The coming rain will be wonderful and exciting, but it will also bring personal testing in righteousness and bring each believer to a place of critical decision: “Will I remain a barracker, or really commit now?” Will I stay a “barracker” just for the fun times, or will I commit and go deeper in holiness no matter what? These are important matters and are the reason I have been exploring faith and righteousness in this current sermon series. Barrackers become supporters, believers become disciples when they allow Christ to perfect their faith. As they walk in the righteousness given to them by God’s salvation plan, faith develops tremendous ability and power. The idea of faith development is clearly taught in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The apostle Peter revealed to us this truth.
2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So, barrackers versus supporters (yes, I know the analogy is limited) – believers or disciples? There is a rain coming and it will bring incredible blessing, joy and productiveness as we are made ready to bring in the harvest. But the rain will do other things, too …
“There's a rain coming, You better get ready, It will wash your heart, It'll dry your eyes, It will clean your soul.”
And this will be too hard for barrackers … and they will turn away. (Jesus prophesied it in Matthew 24:10-13) Make the decision today, dear friends, to become a serious disciple who will be ready to welcome the rain and want it to do its work in them, to be perfected so much more, as Holy Spirit ministers in love, power and mercy. Yes, there will be tears at times as we are convicted of sins and turn from them – godly tears (2 Cor. 7:20-21). But then comes the joy. We need this rain!
Psalms 126:5-6 (NIV)
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
This is the supporters’ theme song. The song of the redeemed in this season. Let’s get ready. There’s a rain coming.
Ps Milton