'Perhaps the greatest definition of evangelism is 'one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.'"
Acts 3:1-10
We are all beggars, and incapable of entering the ballgame of life. Many people had passed by the beggar in this passage on their way into the temple. They did so in the name of worship and doing what God wants. Peter and John recognized the man and perhaps remembered when they were in the beggar's condition (perhaps not physically but spiritually; the beggar's condition was just more obvious).
The beggar was waiting by the gate; trying to get anything he could. Peter gave him more than he expected by inviting him inside.
We are all waiting to participate in life. However, we are crippled and to participate is impossible. We need someone who knows what it is like and has compassion on us. Someone to invite us in. We don't have to live with only the scraps, sounds, and smells of the game. We can actually participate.
For those of us who have already accepted that invitation, we need to be the ones who are always looking around, remembering where we once were, and would still be if someone hadn't invited us. Don't let "Christianity" interfere with compassion.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Movement Without the Ball
There are many kinds of sports, but for now I want to focus on sports that use some sort of ball. What is the main goal of these sports? Sure, you may say to make goals, score runs, or win points. Yes, these are how one wins and is successful; but that is not the main goal. The main goal is the ball itself! Without the ball, there are no goals, runs, or points. If you never have the ball, you can never be successful.
But how do you get the ball? The answer to this is apparent after only a few minutes at any practice: "MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL!!" The coach will yell this command any number of times during a practice and game. Basketball and soccer are the main two such sports. Basketball players must move when they do not have the ball in order to find the open area in which to receive the ball and make a shot. Soccer players must do the same even to just move the ball down the field. Baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, etc. must move in anticipation to where the ball may be. Football players must find the open hole while some block to help create the opening.
So what is the "goal" of this story? Well, simply to say this: The main goal of life is Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there would be no life. If you never have Jesus, you can never truly live. You MUST have Jesus Christ. But you will never find Him unless you search for Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "Seek Me and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." It is Christ's desire that "none should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Like basketball, the opening and opportunity are there; you just have to search for it. Like soccer, Jesus shouldn't just be our anticipated ending but also the means for getting there. Like baseball, tennis, etc; if we anticipate where Christ is, we will be able to actually see Him work. Like football, Christ will meet us in the opening of the hole in our hearts which is easier if friends help to block distractions. And with Christ comes success and the realization that you took a shot and met your goal.
But how do you get the ball? The answer to this is apparent after only a few minutes at any practice: "MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL!!" The coach will yell this command any number of times during a practice and game. Basketball and soccer are the main two such sports. Basketball players must move when they do not have the ball in order to find the open area in which to receive the ball and make a shot. Soccer players must do the same even to just move the ball down the field. Baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, etc. must move in anticipation to where the ball may be. Football players must find the open hole while some block to help create the opening.
So what is the "goal" of this story? Well, simply to say this: The main goal of life is Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there would be no life. If you never have Jesus, you can never truly live. You MUST have Jesus Christ. But you will never find Him unless you search for Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, "Seek Me and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." It is Christ's desire that "none should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Like basketball, the opening and opportunity are there; you just have to search for it. Like soccer, Jesus shouldn't just be our anticipated ending but also the means for getting there. Like baseball, tennis, etc; if we anticipate where Christ is, we will be able to actually see Him work. Like football, Christ will meet us in the opening of the hole in our hearts which is easier if friends help to block distractions. And with Christ comes success and the realization that you took a shot and met your goal.
In the In-Betweens
"In the In-Betweens"
It has been said that the most important marking on someone's grave is not the name, designation as "father, etc.", or even the date of birth or death. It is the dash in-between those two dates. LIFE is found in the in-betweens.
Their were many CEOs in church this past Sunday. CEO in this instance meaning "Christmas/Easter only." There is something about these two holidays that compel us to attend church. Christmas is when we celebrate Christ's birth, and Easter is when we celebrate His death and resurrection. In other words, many of us only acknowledge Christ on His "date of birth" and "date of death." But there is SO MUCH MORE if we would celebrate Him in the in-betweens.
What if the only times you ever saw someone was the day he/she was born and the day of his/her funeral? You could hardly say you knew that person, and more importantly, that person would not know you. Matthew 7:22-23 states that on the day of judgement many will say "Lord, Lord have we not done great things in your name?" but God will reply "Depart from me for I never knew you."
Let's say an athlete was to join a team and practice for only the first day of the season and then quit. The team moves on without him/her and has a great season making it to the championship game. On that day the athlete who left the team after the first day comes back and, in his/her mind, "joins the team." The team wins the championship and everyone gets a ring. The AWOL athlete demands a ring. Would you give that person a ring? Any recognition for being part of the championship? NOWAY!!!
Why should we expect any different from God?
It has been said that the most important marking on someone's grave is not the name, designation as "father, etc.", or even the date of birth or death. It is the dash in-between those two dates. LIFE is found in the in-betweens.
Their were many CEOs in church this past Sunday. CEO in this instance meaning "Christmas/Easter only." There is something about these two holidays that compel us to attend church. Christmas is when we celebrate Christ's birth, and Easter is when we celebrate His death and resurrection. In other words, many of us only acknowledge Christ on His "date of birth" and "date of death." But there is SO MUCH MORE if we would celebrate Him in the in-betweens.
What if the only times you ever saw someone was the day he/she was born and the day of his/her funeral? You could hardly say you knew that person, and more importantly, that person would not know you. Matthew 7:22-23 states that on the day of judgement many will say "Lord, Lord have we not done great things in your name?" but God will reply "Depart from me for I never knew you."
Let's say an athlete was to join a team and practice for only the first day of the season and then quit. The team moves on without him/her and has a great season making it to the championship game. On that day the athlete who left the team after the first day comes back and, in his/her mind, "joins the team." The team wins the championship and everyone gets a ring. The AWOL athlete demands a ring. Would you give that person a ring? Any recognition for being part of the championship? NOWAY!!!
Why should we expect any different from God?
Imitation is the Greatest Form of Flattery
1 Peter 1:16
Ephesians 5:1
Deuteronomy 18:9
1 Corinthians 4:16
Hebrews 6:12
Hebrews 13:7
It will soon be time for Halloween! One of the most fun parts of the holiday is imitating someone or something through various types of costumes. In fact, imitation is part of our everyday lives. Some athletes imitate techniques of professionals. Some people imitate their favorite celebrities. We all imitate our role models. It has been said, "Imitation is greatest form of flattery."
The ultimate imitation is the imitation of Christ. We naturally mimic people in our lives who impact us and whom we respect. No one will impact us more than the Giver of Life (John 6:63), and we should respect no one more than the He who died to pay the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8). The very word Christian means "Christ-like." If you call yourself a Christian, does your life call you a liar?
Many of us think it is heresy to tell others to imitate us. However, several times the Bible tells us to imitate men and women of God. Paul said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Christians are called by God to join together as one body. Each part of the body is to encourage and hold the other parts accountable. This is not be out of pride, however. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) Also, don't be so proud to think your good enough not to need a spiritual mentor.
Are you worthy of imitation? Athletes do not imitate someone who demonstrates improper play. To do so would be detrimental to their goals. We should strive to be Christ-like in all ways so that others can, and will want to, imitate us until they are spiritually strong enough to be mentors themselves.
Ephesians 5:1
Deuteronomy 18:9
1 Corinthians 4:16
Hebrews 6:12
Hebrews 13:7
It will soon be time for Halloween! One of the most fun parts of the holiday is imitating someone or something through various types of costumes. In fact, imitation is part of our everyday lives. Some athletes imitate techniques of professionals. Some people imitate their favorite celebrities. We all imitate our role models. It has been said, "Imitation is greatest form of flattery."
The ultimate imitation is the imitation of Christ. We naturally mimic people in our lives who impact us and whom we respect. No one will impact us more than the Giver of Life (John 6:63), and we should respect no one more than the He who died to pay the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8). The very word Christian means "Christ-like." If you call yourself a Christian, does your life call you a liar?
Many of us think it is heresy to tell others to imitate us. However, several times the Bible tells us to imitate men and women of God. Paul said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Christians are called by God to join together as one body. Each part of the body is to encourage and hold the other parts accountable. This is not be out of pride, however. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) Also, don't be so proud to think your good enough not to need a spiritual mentor.
Are you worthy of imitation? Athletes do not imitate someone who demonstrates improper play. To do so would be detrimental to their goals. We should strive to be Christ-like in all ways so that others can, and will want to, imitate us until they are spiritually strong enough to be mentors themselves.
Intangibles
Hebrews 11:1
Substance of things hoped for = we all hope our athletes have a killer instinct, competitive spirit, and tough leadership qualities (aka "intangibles").
Evidence of things unseen = However, these qualities are not visible or easily detected (aka intangible).
I sat down and discussed the idea of intangibles with Men's Head Basketball Coach Terry Sellers. I was curious whether or not intangibles were a common belief in coaches and how much importance was placed on these qualities. He assured me that intangibles are something that every coach is looking for in athletes, creates an indefensible game plan, and makes any athlete/team better.
We've already made the connection between intangibles and faith. We can also make the connection between faith and the Word of God because through the Word we know what to have faith in. John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Therefore, we can also make the connection between the Word and God, and thus connect intangibles to God.
Having said that, let's look at what intangibles provide for athletes and see what it teaches us about what God provides everyone. Coach Sellers gave four examples of how intangibles take athletes/teams to the next level: 1.) Invaluable [Gen. 1:1] 2.) Helps reach full potential [Phil. 4:13] 3.) Cannot be defended against [Prov. 18:10] 4.) Have to personally see it to comprehend it [John 20:24-29]. I personally like this last one. No one will ever fully comprehend the love and goodness of God, and will never have a powerful faith, until he/she personally bows before the Holy One.
Substance of things hoped for = we all hope our athletes have a killer instinct, competitive spirit, and tough leadership qualities (aka "intangibles").
Evidence of things unseen = However, these qualities are not visible or easily detected (aka intangible).
I sat down and discussed the idea of intangibles with Men's Head Basketball Coach Terry Sellers. I was curious whether or not intangibles were a common belief in coaches and how much importance was placed on these qualities. He assured me that intangibles are something that every coach is looking for in athletes, creates an indefensible game plan, and makes any athlete/team better.
We've already made the connection between intangibles and faith. We can also make the connection between faith and the Word of God because through the Word we know what to have faith in. John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Therefore, we can also make the connection between the Word and God, and thus connect intangibles to God.
Having said that, let's look at what intangibles provide for athletes and see what it teaches us about what God provides everyone. Coach Sellers gave four examples of how intangibles take athletes/teams to the next level: 1.) Invaluable [Gen. 1:1] 2.) Helps reach full potential [Phil. 4:13] 3.) Cannot be defended against [Prov. 18:10] 4.) Have to personally see it to comprehend it [John 20:24-29]. I personally like this last one. No one will ever fully comprehend the love and goodness of God, and will never have a powerful faith, until he/she personally bows before the Holy One.
God's Gracious Anger
Habakkuk l:13
Romans 3:5
Romans 6:23
[concerning "God's Gracious Anger"] "He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction...God is angry at the evil that ruins His children."
I have been around coaches who are absolutely brutal on the practice field but will fight tooth and nail for their players off the field. No matter if your coach is brutally honest or laid back, when you make a mistake it is his/her responsibility to correct you.
Does the coach do this out of shear amusement? No! That would be psychotic. He/she does it because the error is making a mockery of the athlete. The coach loves the athlete and the team too much to let them look like fools.
When we sin and God corrects us, it is not because He hates us. God is not a Zeus-like figure who enjoys hurling His lightning bolts at His creation. It is because He knows the end of such things is destruction. He loves us too much to sit back and watch this happen to us.
"The question is not, 'How dare a loving God be angry?' but rather, 'How could a loving God feel anything less?'"
Quotes taken from Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace."
Romans 3:5
Romans 6:23
[concerning "God's Gracious Anger"] "He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction...God is angry at the evil that ruins His children."
I have been around coaches who are absolutely brutal on the practice field but will fight tooth and nail for their players off the field. No matter if your coach is brutally honest or laid back, when you make a mistake it is his/her responsibility to correct you.
Does the coach do this out of shear amusement? No! That would be psychotic. He/she does it because the error is making a mockery of the athlete. The coach loves the athlete and the team too much to let them look like fools.
When we sin and God corrects us, it is not because He hates us. God is not a Zeus-like figure who enjoys hurling His lightning bolts at His creation. It is because He knows the end of such things is destruction. He loves us too much to sit back and watch this happen to us.
"The question is not, 'How dare a loving God be angry?' but rather, 'How could a loving God feel anything less?'"
Quotes taken from Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace."
Good and Upright
Last week, we talked about moving from a twice-a-year religion to an all day, every day love for God. The first step is understanding God's love for us. It is so important, in fact, that Jesus demonstrated it even in His death.
In the latter part of Luke 23, we read of a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a "good and upright" religious leader who did not agree with the betrayal of Jesus. He was apparently a wealthy man who owned his own grave. Because he loved Jesus, he offered his grave to house the body of Christ for what he, arguably, thought would be forever.
Jesus knew all along what Joseph would do. Perhaps He used the situation to illustrate salvation. We are like Joseph in many ways. Even though we may be "good and upright" in our own eyes, Romans 3:12 says "there is none good; no not one." Romans 3:23 states "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Romans 6:23 tells us "the payment of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." No matter how good we are, because of our sin, we have bought an eternal grave. However, if we give God the rights to our grave, He will take our place instead. And His occupation WILL last forever. This is His "gift" of salvation.
"Mercy" is not giving what is deserved. "Grace" is giving what is not deserved. 1 John 1:8 says "if we think we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Romans 5:8 tells "God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
In the latter part of Luke 23, we read of a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a "good and upright" religious leader who did not agree with the betrayal of Jesus. He was apparently a wealthy man who owned his own grave. Because he loved Jesus, he offered his grave to house the body of Christ for what he, arguably, thought would be forever.
Jesus knew all along what Joseph would do. Perhaps He used the situation to illustrate salvation. We are like Joseph in many ways. Even though we may be "good and upright" in our own eyes, Romans 3:12 says "there is none good; no not one." Romans 3:23 states "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Romans 6:23 tells us "the payment of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." No matter how good we are, because of our sin, we have bought an eternal grave. However, if we give God the rights to our grave, He will take our place instead. And His occupation WILL last forever. This is His "gift" of salvation.
"Mercy" is not giving what is deserved. "Grace" is giving what is not deserved. 1 John 1:8 says "if we think we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Romans 5:8 tells "God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
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