The Story of Chad: Chapter 1: Chad plays soccer with his friends

Chad was a busy man. Chad was a very rich and popular man in his small town. He lived in a quiet, small town in Missouri where everyone went to church on Sunday, and even gas stations were closed on Sunday to honor what the Christians called the Lord’s Sabbath. Chad had just graduated college, and his career was in sports. He loved Soccer the most, but he played a little bit of Tennis and Basketball in college and high school. Chad had plenty of friends, and almost all the girls had fantasies about him because he was also stereotypically attractive. His scholarships and income from always being the top sports player had left him very rich and so he did not need to work a regular job like most people.

However, he volunteered his time at any type of charity organization or church event. He mowed the lawn and fixed things at the Crisis Pregnancy Center and also was a janitor at the animal shelter. He had plenty of time to do these jobs whenever he wasn’t playing sports. He played sports for money but also with his friends for fun.

Chad played Soccer one Tuesday afternoon with three of his friends. He was on Matthew’s team, and they were playing against Luke and John. Chad and Matthew beat the other team 15 to 5, with Chad scoring 12 of the goals. After the game they all ordered Pizza from Sarpino’s and then talked about their lives. They all had a debate over what the sermon was about on the previous Sunday.

The conversation went like this:

Matthew: Hey Chad, we sure had a good game. I know I wouldn’t have won if I wasn’t on your team.

Chad: Hey Matt, don’t be so hard on yourself. If you would like, I could help train you to kick the ball where you’re trying to.

Matthew: Thanks Chad! By the way, what did you think about the sermon on Sunday?

Chad: Can you remind me what it was? I wasn’t paying any attention. I just go so my dad doesn’t say I am not a Christian.

Luke: I remember it. Pastor Mark was reading from Romans chapter 1.

John: That’s right, it was about idolatry. People created things that they worshipped instead of God, who created those things.

Matthew: I don’t remember that part at all. I was talking about verses 24 to 27, where it says God gave people over to their sexual desires. What do you guys think that was about?

John: I guess it’s about people who make their sexual desires an idol that is more important than God. It’s all part of the same thing, really.

Luke: No, it’s not that at all. Clearly, it was talking about homosexuals and how their desires are so sinful that even God has to give up on them and leave them to live out their sins.

Matthew: So does that mean that if someone’s desires are sinful, God has abandoned them?

Luke: Who cares? It’s not like any of us have anything to worry about. We are Christians, and we are straight, exactly like God intended us to be!

John: Especially you, Luke. I know you were looking at Stacy the whole time. Maybe she’s your idol.

Luke: Hey I’m just appreciating God’s divine art!

Chad: Watch out, Luke! Stacy is the pastor’s daughter! Get too close, and you’ll still face the wrath of God!

Luke: Better worry about your sins, Chad! You have the sin of greed because you take all the girls.

Chad: I can’t help it. They all come to me. Maybe I can send some your way, and you can leave Stacy alone.

Luke: I see how it is! The real reason you come to church is also to have a chance with Stacy.

Chad: Yeah, you caught me! You’ll have to beat me in sports first before you fight over girls with me.

Luke: Fair enough, Chad!

The four friends continued to talk about many different things as they ate pizza and laughed. Chad felt a little bit sick inside that he lied to his friend Luke. The truth is that he pretended to be interested in dating Stacy because he didn’t like the way Luke was talking about Stacy. She was just an idol to Luke, and Chad agreed with John. He also noticed that Matthew had gone silent as the other three talked for the rest of the night. Chad decided to talk to Matthew about it more when the two of them were alone. Something was not right, but he didn’t know why.