[HOME]

The Heart Beat Of The Raider Nation

True passion is one of the most powerful feelings one may feel in their lifetime. One can become so passionate about something that they feel they would die for it, and sometimes do. It may be one of the most powerful of all human emotions. Passion can be harnessed for good, or for evil. It's when people harness their passions in positive ways that the world takes notice. Passionate people living life to the fullest. They know when to be spontaneous. They realize that ultimately life isn't defined by thoughts-it's defined by the actions that arise from those thoughts. Thus, they master their mind and hearts, and simultaneously master their actions.

Love us or hate us, there's an undeniable passion to Raider fans the Oakland Raiders is the basis of our lives. Our passion will never be outmatched by another fan base. The life of a Raider fan is unlike any of the average NFL fan. To other NFL fans, football is usually nothing more than supporting the home team. To the Raider Nation, the Silver and Black is a way of life. The sad part of all this, is that it even outmatches the devotion and passion of the church of Christ? That is what believers should take note of here. Why? It's not for the weak heart. Being a part of God's kingdom is worth it. It is a privilege to sacrifice our time for the cause. To be part of something much bigger than we are. It's real, salvation is not a game it's the truth of life. If only those of us in the church, followers of Christ, would be more like Raiders fans. The church would be more effective? More powerful, and a lot more fun!

Waiting for Sunday, waiting for the gates to open, waiting for the kickoff, and waiting for revenge? That's the passion the church should have. I think believers too often just show up at church. They go through the motions. They drive to church, get out of their cars, drag themselves into worship, and then sit back and, at best, take it all in. In fact, there are too many men who just sit and observe a church service. You won't find a Raiders fan observing. You won't find a Raiders fan just showing up. NO WAY! We anticipate our team coming out and ripping the heads off the enemy. Past generations and today's fans of the Silver and Black were a people that harnessed that passion to think positive to believe. This type of passion literally transferred over to the players and the rest of the organization it became a divine energetic and dynamic team effort building momentum for a winning outcome.

"As bad as the Raiders have been-and we're talking bad, I give the fans their props," many have kept a positive outlook and hope. I truly believe that the Raider Nation would make a great church because of their devotion. Seriously! What other group of people do you know that are so passionate about a team that is well...Let's say we've been less than stellar in our performance...winning, on average less than 4 of 16 games for the past five years? From the pre-game party to the last whistle of regulation. From our hatred of the enemy...We fans are unswervingly devoted. Don't get me wrong, when the Raiders don't play well, we let the opposing fans know. But we never veer from our unyielding devotion. NEVER! That's just not an option. Once a Raider, always a Raider. Which brings to mind the money we spend on the Silver and black paraphernalia? Answer: Passion, loyalty, pride, and love for the team. We fans are all a part of something MUCH bigger than ourselves. We are a part of the Raider Nation.

So of course we have Jerseys and other gear to display our devotion. Once again, believers would do well to have such a passion for the team, our church, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Wouldn't it be great if believers had no problem shelling out whatever money was needed to proudly wear the appropriate gear? To support the church. Along with it's calling to be effective in the community. And...to not complain about the cost. That would be a nice change. After all, those of us in the church are a part of something much bigger than ourselves...Including the Raiders?

The Raider organization for years has had a love, hate relationship with not only opposing fans but also with the League itself. Many feel extreme jealousy here. Seriously. If there were any way we could bottle up that enthusiasm and inject it into the often tired lame complacent and apathetic attitudes of many church attendees. I would pray Lord "Please" intercede and wake up the church to unite as one! It would be the best church ever! It wouldn't matter how good the pastors message was or the worship...They would just be glad to be a part of the body of Christ! Come to think of it, the Raider Nation and the Body of Christ have similar trade marks? Jesus, said we would be persecuted because of His name. Wow, the same holds true of the Raiders, either you love them or hate them!

One Raider that loved the adversity was Jack Tatum when asked the question of fan support with no doubt he says that the Raider fans are the best, but the response that he gave exposed how he harnessed the passion for the game of football. He said he loved playing in adverse conditions in places like Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Denver any of those stadiums were great to play in because the people hated you so much. The Commitment to Excellence the pride and poise the seek and destroy attitude that had exemplified everything the Raiders did. Whether it was their three Super Bowl wins, the iron-fisted general Al Davis, or the loyalty of the Raider Nation, the Silver and Black had one of the proudest franchises in sports. Whether it was at home or on the road. Well the same holds true with the body of Christ around the world we have been taught by the word of God, that it's part of the program. Dealing with adverse conditions strengthens and adds to the armor that one is given on the day of conversion.

The self-proclaimed "Team of the Decades" has taken a spiritual blow among it's own family of supporters, complaining about this and that? "Yes, it's true Twenty-five years have passed since the Raiders collected their last of three Super Bowl victories-and the Raiders have not won more than five games in any of the last six seasons. Many of you get those wise cracks like, 'Oh you're a Raiders fan? or there are those people who do a double-take when they learn that you're a prominent figure of the community, that likes the Raiders? And now the whispers being heard through the churches of the nations that he or she is wearing Raider gear to church? How do we fix this, it's simple, let's start being supportive and having the mind-set like the old Raider Nation, and like the first disciples of Christ.

When Jim Otto was asked the question: What are your impressions of the Raider fans both past and present. Jim Otto: We have always had great and loyal fans in Oakland. We still do today. So many of the old fans may not be able to make it to the games anymore, but they are still around and very passionate. The same spontaneous passion that's been seen in past generations of the old Raider Nation, has biblical implication's of signs and wonders, when harnessed it brings forth an aweness of unity and hope. Just like the church has it's elders likewise does the Raider Nation.

The ingredients are there Raider fans. To live life to the fullest, we are a passionate people. Many of you are at the crossroads in life of making that decision for change. The Bible tells us that one must believe in the Son of God "Jesus Christ" that His passion was to die for us. He paid the price for our sins and was resurrected by God the Father. To repent and ask for forgiveness of sin, It's the first step, then His Holy Spirit is given on that day of conversion. That's when the fun starts? You'll quickly realize, "wait a minute" I've been down this road before? Passion in Christ, "I get it! Making this decision in life. To become a believer. To repent: "It simply means change direction at the crossroad of your journey in life. It's what God's word means, "you're saved," It's what the church calls being reborn it's called salvation living life to the fullest. As a passionate Raider fan, and follower of Jesus Christ... I can truly testify that He is Who He claims to be.

My hope and prayer. Is that you find out for yourself. It's the God given passion that's been harnessed in your heart for this time in your life. As you humble yourself to believe, you'll quickly find out it's the foundation of being reconciled to God the Father through Jesus Christ.

Lets Pray: Jesus, I may not understand all this Christian talk, Lord, I am at the crossroad of my life, I want to see who You really are. I ask that You forgive me of my sins as I change direction to repent. I surrender my heart and mind to Your Holy Spirit to guide me in Your ways. I believe that You died on the cross and You where resurrected by God the Father. In Jesus Name, I thank You for the passion You've put in my heart to live by Your word. In Jesus Name I pray Amen...

If you're feeling a tug in your heart to share with a love one on you're life changing decision. I encourage you to make that call. It's important now to get plugged into a bible studying church in your community and bring that same passion you've lived in the stands and sports bars. And show the church how passion is to be taken up daily!.

Pastor Mando
"The Passion Of Christ"
John 3:16