NFL Star Derek Carr Delivers Moving Sermon at Church
Derek Carr has been working hard to get ready for what some say is a make-or-break season for his career as quarterback of the Oakland Raiders.
Still, the 28-year-old recently made time for something even more important than his NFL future.
Carr delivered a powerful message about Christian purpose and devotion during a July 7 sermon at JC Sacramento church.
“You want to be used by God, I’m going to tell you how to do it,” he said. “You ready? Be completely consumed by the Holy Spirit.”
“If you would just continue to walk with him, everything else will fall into place,” Carr said.
“Don’t leave his feet.” — @derekcarrqb
There’s no greater or safer place than sitting at the feet of Jesus. Last night went straight to the heart with worship and a beautiful, honest word from Derek Carr. God keeps taking us deeper and deeper in each #SUMMEROFENCOUNTER night. pic.twitter.com/RIeHkmJgGQ— JC Sacramento (@jcsacramento) July 8, 2019
Carr spoke about the need to develop a deeper relationship with God, saying it’s much more important than trying to impress others with your faith on social media.
“You don’t need the next Instagram post,” he said. “You don’t need to send a picture of you on Facebook with your Bible and your coffee, OK? We don’t need that.
“What we need is for you to put your phone down and just dive into the Word and say, ‘Lord, what else do you have for me?'”
He said the church doesn’t need any more “cowardly Christians.”
“We have enough people that have screwed it up for others,” Carr said. “We have enough of those. We need some people that are sold out, on fire, because when you are completely consumed with the supernatural, anyone in your way, anyone around you will say, ‘That is amazing. I must go see what that is.’
“The answer from the beginning wasn’t that you’d get 12 steps to fix your problem. The answer from the beginning was that you’d be so consumed with his fire, so consumed with him, that others around you would look at you and say, ‘Man, I must have that.'”
We loved having @derekcarr with us Sunday night at @jcsacramento. Were you with us?! (in person or online) pic.twitter.com/XkdVBnrvrn
— Jesus Culture (@jesusculture) July 12, 2019
Carr has never been shy about his faith.
In a video from The Increase, he said Jesus kept him sane when his newborn child had to undergo multiple surgeries.
“That’s how I know he’s with me because I have a peace and a joy,” Carr said. “I can’t describe it, but I have it, and I know it’s real.”
Carr was the Raiders’ second-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of Fresno State. Since then, he has earned three Pro Bowl appearances (from 2015 to 2017).
Last season, he had career highs in completion percentage (68.9) and passing yards (4,049) but a career-low 19 touchdown passes.
The Raiders’ offense should be improved with the offseason acquisitions of wide receivers Antonio Brown and Tyrrell Williams, offensive linemen Trent Brown and Richie Incognito, and running back Josh Jacobs, the team’s first-round draft choice.
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