A sermon by Nigerian pastor, Bolaji Idowu, popularly known as Pastor B, has sparked widespread reactions online after a clip from one of his teachings went viral on social media.

In the video, the cleric, who leads the Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), draws a comparison between the enthusiasm many Nigerians show for football and their response to religious teachings.

“When you are watching Man Utd, you are shouting. When they win, they will not give you money. They will not give you ordinary silver,” he said, referencing popular football clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal.

He contrasted this with reactions to the word of God, expressing admiration for members of his congregation who display visible excitement during sermons.

“My God, my God. See my family. This is my family… because they are excited about the word of God,” he added.

The sermon centres on the idea that passion is developed through sustained attention rather than being innate.

“Were you born passionate about Man Utd? The more you paid attention, what happened? You caught the passion… The more you pay attention to the things of God, you’ll get the passion for the things of God,” he said.

He also challenged perceptions about expressions of enthusiasm during worship, arguing that those who appear indifferent may be out of step.

“Some of you, when the word of God is going on, you see someone shouting, you say they are strange. You are the one that is strange,” he stated.

The clip, which captures moments of energetic responses from the congregation, has since gained traction across social media platforms, drawing mixed reactions from users.

While some viewers described the message as a timely reflection on personal priorities and devotion, others argued that the comparison between football and faith oversimplifies individual expressions of belief and interest.

Despite differing opinions, the viral clip has extended the reach of the sermon beyond the church, prompting broader conversations about attention, passion, and the role of religion in everyday life.