7/1/2020 – Pastor Brian’s Blog
Because of the coronavirus our church softball season got off to a late start this year. We were to have our first game last Monday night. Although it seems like it hasn’t rained for weeks, it decided to rain all day Monday, so our game was canceled and we still have yet to play a game. Hopefully, we will be able to make up that game this Friday night and get on with our season. Of course if you live in the area and want to attend, it is a cheap date, as admission is free!!
You might be thinking… ‘Why is a 66 year old man still involved with church softball?’ Well for two reasons: I like to win, and we usually do have a good team each year. But even more than my competitive spirit, the real reason I stay actively involved is because of 1 Corinthians 10:31…
See, our church softball team is part of the “whatever you do” Paul is writing about. I really do love our softball team, especially our scorekeeper (who is Judy!). Our team is roughly made up of 50% of people that attend our church and 50% of people that do not attend church at all. My church people get to hear me speak each week at church, and I think a few of them might even read my blog. But our non-church people… well, they get to hear me and see me in the “whatever you do” moments of softball.
My passion is no longer the love of the game, nor is it to win, although I do love to win. The reason I stay involved with softball, is to take the “whatever” and use it to bring glory to God. Because I know when I bring glory to God, I will direct people to God.
Jesus said…
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.
John 12:32
Now I know, in context, Jesus is talking about His death on the cross. Yet I believe the same principal can happen when I use my “whatever” to lift up Christ in my life. Jesus also said…
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
In context, this is what Paul is saying…
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God– even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Please understand this is why I am still involved in softball, not for my own good, “but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” So what is your “whatever” this week? What have you intentionally planned this week to bring glory to God? Who have you targeted to show off Christ, so that Christ can draw them to Himself?
In a world that thinks that liquor stores, tattoo parlors, and Walmart are more essential than the church, then I would say that Christians are missing the mark. Maybe there are too many of us passionate about the wrong “whatever’s.” Maybe you are reading my blog today and it has been some time since you even considered using your life so that people might be saved. If that is you, then for God’s sake and the sake of those unsaved around you, stop “seeking (your) own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
Daniel Draper was a man that spent his last breath not seeking his own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved. The steamship London sank off the Land’s End in the English channel on January 11, 1866, amid a terrible storm. Only one lifeboat was launched before the great ship sank, and only three passengers survived. Among the dead was Daniel Draper, a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. In the hours before the ship was lost, he reportedly went from person to person, evangelizing the passengers and crew, and he led virtually the whole ship to faith in Christ.
The last words anyone heard him utter were these:
“The captain tells us that there is no hope; that we must all perish. But I tell you there is hope, hope for all. Although we must die, and shall never again see land, we may all make the port of heaven. Those of you who were not converted, now is the time; not a moment to be lost, for in a few minutes we should all be in the presence of the judge.”
Daniel Draper
Our world is in the storm, and many are sinking, some are even dying. It is time that we as Christians become essential again. Instead of people committing suicide, instead of people running to alcohol or drugs, it is time that these people turn to us because we have lifted up Jesus in our lives.
The time is coming when we will all stand before God, and I don’t believe that it is far away. If you don’t know Christ as Savior don’t put it off. Prepare to meet God by confessing Jesus as Lord of your life today…
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13
And Christian, don’t think so highly of yourself that you think that God is only passionate about you. He is just as passionate about the unsaved people that He has brought into your life. In case you have forgotten how passionate God is for the world, may God use this song not only to reignite your passion, but also challenge you to start using your life in a way that many may be saved.
