I’ve been reading a book called, “Church is a Team Sport” by Jim Putman. I cannot get past the fact that this title is so true. So many times Christians just want to sit on the sidelines and take in the game but never get involved.
I don’t know about you, but when I was playing sports, whether it was baseball, basketball, volleyball, or football, I wanted to play. I wanted to be out there on the field. I absolutely hated sitting on the bench waiting for the coach to call my name… and sometimes my name never got called.
Well, I want you to know today, that our Coach, the Lord Jesus Christ, wants to put all of us into the game. He doesn’t want any of His players to be on the sidelines. As a matter of fact, the day Jesus died on a cross for our sins, He made it possible for everyone to play on His team and be a star player.
One might ask, “How do I get on the team?” It’s easy, just acknowledge that Christ died for you, ask Him to forgive you of your past, and then let Him begin to change you. It’s that simple! Once you do that, you are on His team which is the greatest team you will ever play for.
Now, once you are on the team…. Jesus said; I want you to get involved. I want you to be the best player you can be. He never said you have to be the best player; He just wants you to give Him your best. There is a difference. And the only way you’re going to know what position He wants you to play is by practice. I call this “discipleship.”
Once you have decided to be on the best team ever, you need to be discipled. This means, get into a bible believing church. One that preaches that Heaven is real… and that Hell is real. It also means, get into a small group, have someone become an accountability partner to you, and open up your bible and begin a daily bible reading plan. Talk to the coaches, (pastors, and leaders). Have them help you with things you don’t understand. And the most important thing for you to do is tell others about what Jesus has done for you. Tell them that you have joined a team that is so cool and that you want them on your team.
Again, too many people want to just come to church and never get involved. They sit in a pew for an hour; listen to a few songs; listen to a preacher speak for 30 minutes; and then head back home to enter into a new week with the same old problems; same old thoughts about life; same old issues; never realizing that if they would just get off the bench and into the game, life would have so much more meaning. So many people say to me, “Pastor, I just don’t get anything out of church.” My response is this; “You only get out of it what you put into it.” If you’re not practicing and giving your best, you won’t get anything out of it. But if you give your all… you will never be the same ever again.
Are you on the sidelines? Are you sitting on the bench? Are you on the team at all? You can change all of that today. All it takes is you realizing where you are at in this journey. And then making a decision to change… and then let God start grooming you to be one of the best players He has on His team.
1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are all different, and that we all have different gifts and talents that we can use for the Lord. The weird thing is this… if you’re not part of the team…. Then the Lord’s team is not complete and able to accomplish all the things it needs to accomplish. My challenge for you today is to get on the team. Do it right now! Start playing today.
In Christ
Pastor Jeff
