By Pastor Doug Stauffer, Faith Independent Baptist Church
This is the time of year when many of us gather around the TV or head to the stadium to watch football or basketball. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd in college football’s packed stadiums or the excitement of a basketball arena coming alive, one thing is clear: home field advantage is real. When a team has thousands of fans cheering them on, momentum shifts, players push a little harder, and the energy of the crowd has a significant impact.
As a proud Penn State alumnus, my favorite game each year is the “Whiteout” at Beaver Stadium. Over 100,000 fans dressed in white fill the stands, waving towels, chanting in unison, and creating an atmosphere that opponents dread. The electricity is unmatched—a sight to behold. I sometimes imagine what it would look like if Christians showed that same level of excitement and unity about serving the Lord. What if we cheered for Christ with the same passion that fans cheer for their team? The impact would be eternal.
The Bible paints a similar picture of the Christian life. In Hebrews 12:1, we read: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” The writer reminds us that we, too, have a kind of “home crowd” advantage. You cannot see them, but surrounding us are the faithful saints who have gone before—Abraham, Moses, David, the apostles, and countless unnamed believers who endured trials and remained faithful.
Like athletes on the field, Christians can become weary. Life’s battles, temptations, and trials sometimes make us feel like we’re not winning. But we’re not alone. The testimony of those who endured before us encourages us: “Don’t give up. Keep going. Stay faithful. The prize is worth it.” Their voices remind us that the same God who carried them through will carry us through.
There’s also another aspect of this home-field advantage—our encouragement to one another in the present. The crowd in the stands doesn’t just come from the past; it comes from today’s church family. Just as teammates rally around each other when the game gets tough, we strengthen one another through fellowship, prayer, and shared burdens. A word spoken in love, a simple prayer lifted up, or even showing up faithfully at church can encourage someone else to keep going.
And most of all, we look to Jesus Himself, the One who secured the victory. Hebrews 12:2 continues: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” No matter how hostile the “away crowd” of this world might feel, the believer knows the outcome—Christ has already won. Our victory is guaranteed because of what He accomplished on the cross.
And while games may leave us biting our nails until the final whistle, our faith rests on a certainty already written. The book of Revelation reveals the outcome—Christ reigns victorious, Satan is defeated, and God’s people dwell with Him forever. Unlike a football game, where the result is sometimes uncertain until the last play, our victory is settled from the beginning. That truth should give us courage and confidence, no matter how fierce the opposition feels today.
So, the next time you watch a game and see the crowd on their feet, cheering loudly for their team, let it be a reminder: we have the home-field advantage, too. Heaven’s witnesses are cheering, the church is encouraging, and Christ is leading. Keep running your race. Victory is already ours in Him.
