A SPORTING CHANCE

#1 · May 4, 2009, 10:44 am

Quote from Forum Archives on May 4, 2009, 10:44 am
Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>
A SPORTING CHANCE

May 3, 2009

TEXT: Hebrews 10:19-25

It doesnt take very much effort at all to recognize the prominent place sports has in our culture. From the little league diamonds across small town, USA, to the multi-million dollar sports complexes hosting World Series and Superbowl championships, sporting events abound at all levels of our social structure. We cheer our children and grandchildren who can hardly throw a ball or swing a bat; we cheer collegiate and Olympians who compete for the sheer enjoyment of the game; we cheer professional athletes who dazzle us with their athletic abilities.

Some people can honestly say that they do not care for sports: they neither watch nor play any sports whatsoever. But such folks are few and far between. I am not one of them, either. I do like to watch some sporting events, and I like to play - or attempt to play - a few now and then.

Even Biblical writers recognized the presence of sports in their day. Paul compared Christian discipleship with the training of an athlete (1 Corinthians 9:25): Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. The writer of Hebrews wrote in 12:1 that therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Sporting events have been around for a long time. The problem is not whether or not we like sporting events, but rather how much we allow such events rule our lives - especially our spiritual lives. With increasing frequency, sports even compete with church attendance. Childrens soccer leagues in many communities hold competitions on Sunday mornings. When we allow sports or anything else to adversely affect our ability to worship God week in and week out, then we have gone too far. In reality, God can stack up against any sporting event, and gathering for worship allows us to soar far higher than can any athlete.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer speaks about giving Sunday a sporting chance. It has nothing to do with a sporting event. It has everything to do with gathering together. It says in verse 25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The writer is saying to us that we ought to be in church every Sunday because you never know on any given Sunday what God might do. Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together as has become the habit of some that go down to the sports cathedrals, but come together to see what God might do. You can never tell what God might do when God's people come together and become riveted on who He is rather than having their minds on a thousand other things. There are three things I want you to understand in Hebrews 10:19-25. What does God do when we give gathering together a sporting chance?

First, people are raised up when we come to church. The writer says in verses 19 and 20, Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body He says that there is a new way through Christ. There is a way to go before the holy God. There is a way to be raised up. There is a way to be saved. There is a way to know the righteous God. The old way the way that seems right to man - is a way of death. But there is a new way which is a living way, and it leads to eternal life. Every Sunday in houses of worship people are raised up from death in sin to new life in Jesus Christ, and they enter the way of the Lord Jesus.

Six times in Scripture Christianity is called the way. It is a new and living way. In Acts 9:2, Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, and Acts 24:22 Christianity is referred to as the way. Why is it called the way? I think there are two reasons. Number one, it was the way to get to God through Christ, and number two, it was the way they lived. A new and living way. Every Sunday people find the new way. In John 14:2-4, Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. And Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? And Jesus said to him, I am the way.

The way to get to God is Jesus Christ. There is no other way. All across America in houses of worship where Christ is lifted up, people who are lost, on the road to hell, will step off of that road and onto the road with Christ. They will join a new and living way. They will get a passport for heaven. Passports are interesting documents. I have one, but will have to get it updated if I need to travel abroad again; it has expired. On an American passport is this statement: The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen or national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give any lawful aid and protection. The Secretary of State of the United States says that I should be able to pass, and if I need any lawful aid it should be given me because I am a citizen of the United States. I hold proof of that from my country.

This is not the only passport I possess. I have a passport written on the walls of my heart that will one day take me to the gate of heaven. When I am asked, Why should I let you in? I am going to show them my passport that Jesus stamped upon me - a passport which does not expire - and they are going to say, Enter in, because I have been walking with Him in the new and living way. My question to you is, are you walking in the new and living way? Have you been saved? This can happen any Sunday, because people get raised up in worship when they give it a sporting chance.

Second, people are cleaned up when gathering together is given a sporting chance. Notice in verse 22 it says, Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Ephesians 5:25-26 says that we are to be washed with the water of the Word. Every Sunday people come that are members of this church; they are saved but do not have a clear conscience. They are a member of God's family but are not walking in harmony and obedience with God. They have a conscience that is killing them.

You should strive to have a clear conscience. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:12, Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to Gods grace. Paul claimed to have a clear conscience.

How do you get a clear conscience? There are two things that have to happen for you to have a clear conscience. Number one: You come to church and sit under the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. The Scripture brings conviction, and then the Spirit brings cleansing out of your confession. When the Spirit of God brings conviction, you cry out to God, Oh, be merciful to me, a sinner! and when you do, the Spirit of God cleanses from all unrighteousness. If you cry out to God, you will find a loving Father to cleanse you. The Word of God will bring conviction as it is lifted up and preached. If you will cry out to God, cleansing will come through the Spirit.

Thank God for a clear conscience. Did you ever try to go to bed with a guilty conscience? It's not fun. You kind of flop and roll while saying, I shouldn't have done that, and tomorrow I have to deal with You'll sleep a lot better if you come clean with God. You'll enjoy church more. There are some people not in church because they know they have to come clean with God. Some venture into church saying, I have a laundry list - you're not going to believe what is on my conscience today. I don't think youre going to tell God anything He hasn't already heard. He is not concerned about what you have done; He is concerned that you do something about what you have done.

When we give gathering together a sporting chance, people come into this place crushed by life and wondering where to turn. God has Good News: there is a merciful, loving, heavenly Father who will forgive you, love you, change you, and yes, cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Call to Him, Oh God, be merciful! and He will. When given a sporting chance, people are raised up. When given a sporting chance, people are cleaned up.

When gathering together is given a sporting chance, people are stirred up. Verse 23 says, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And verse 24 says, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Every Sunday, verse 25, when you do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together; when you come to God's house, some will be raised up and some will be cleaned up. The larger truth is that most of us need to be stirred up. It is not enough to just come and sit and enjoy a service. Look at the words spur on. In the Greek New Testament the word used is the word paroxysm. That is an English word that we have transliterated. A paroxysm is a sudden outburst of enthusiastic involvement. Para is the first part of the word that means along side of. It is like a paramedic who comes along side the real medic. A paralegal is not an attorney but the paralegal is alongside the attorney. Oxynein is the word for goad or a sharp stick. We can stir up one another in different ways. We need to stir others, and we need to be stirred by others. On Sunday you may get stirred to take part in ministries and services that result in your being stirred to be a soul winner; a godly husband, father; or a godly wife or mother.

Many of us give testimony of a time when we didn't tithe. It is wonderful to hear what God used to stir us to tithe. Some struggle with being able to love others. The Spirit of God stirs you up, and you begin to love people that you once thought you couldn't love. Some of you have been crusty and mean, but you have been stirred to start shaking hands, building relationships and caring for others.

In verse 24 we are told to stir up one another. You are to paroxysm each other. You are to poke or goad each other to love and good deeds. It is stimulating to do that which is loving and that which is good. This word is often used in the negative. The word paroxysm can be translated provoke. We can stimulate wrath and bad works rather than love and good works. We must not do that. We are to stir one another up to love and the good things of life. That's why we need to come to church. We get raised up, cleaned up, and thank God we will get stirred up.

Neglecting church brings a kind of darkness into our lives. Those who use fireplaces, or sit around the campfire, notice when one of the logs in the fire breaks rolls over by itself. The rest of the fire is burning, but the little piece by itself is doing two things - it's smoking and stinking, and the reason is that it got away from the fellowship of the fire. If you are a part of a local church and roll off by yourself, you will likely do two things - you'll smoke a lot and stink a lot, but you're not going to keep anybody warm. You need to be brought back to the fire. That's why he says in this text, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Be a part of the family and be ablaze with the glory of God.

We should remember two things about this instruction. Number one: it is given as an imperative - do not give up meeting together. Its not a debate; it is a command. Don't stop being a part of the church. Get in the fellowship. Don't roll away from the fire. Stay around God's people.

Number two: there is an incentive. And all the more as you see the Day approaching. What day is that? It is the day of our Lord's coming again. The incentive is that the closer we get to Jesus' coming, the closer we want to be to a part of the Church of the living God. We want to be a part of the family when Jesus comes. He is coming for His Church. The more we see that day coming, the closer we want to be to the Lord and His family. If the living Church of the living God is not taking care to minister to the world and to one another, we can be guaranteed that no one else is going to. Why do you think that it was so important for the early Christians to meet for worship even when it was dangerous to do so? Why do you think that it is still important in places where the danger exists? Because God will be honored and glorified no matter what is going on in the world. God will still raise up men and women in devoted service no matter what is going on in the world. Our call is to be faithful to God. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

[email protected]

www.bhfirstbaptist.com
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]   

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

A SPORTING CHANCE

May 3, 2009

TEXT: Hebrews 10:19-25

It doesnt take very much effort at all to recognize the prominent place sports has in our culture. From the little league diamonds across small town, USA, to the multi-million dollar sports complexes hosting World Series and Superbowl championships, sporting events abound at all levels of our social structure. We cheer our children and grandchildren who can hardly throw a ball or swing a bat; we cheer collegiate and Olympians who compete for the sheer enjoyment of the game; we cheer professional athletes who dazzle us with their athletic abilities.

Some people can honestly say that they do not care for sports: they neither watch nor play any sports whatsoever. But such folks are few and far between. I am not one of them, either. I do like to watch some sporting events, and I like to play - or attempt to play - a few now and then.

Even Biblical writers recognized the presence of sports in their day. Paul compared Christian discipleship with the training of an athlete (1 Corinthians 9:25): Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. The writer of Hebrews wrote in 12:1 that therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Sporting events have been around for a long time. The problem is not whether or not we like sporting events, but rather how much we allow such events rule our lives - especially our spiritual lives. With increasing frequency, sports even compete with church attendance. Childrens soccer leagues in many communities hold competitions on Sunday mornings. When we allow sports or anything else to adversely affect our ability to worship God week in and week out, then we have gone too far. In reality, God can stack up against any sporting event, and gathering for worship allows us to soar far higher than can any athlete.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer speaks about giving Sunday a sporting chance. It has nothing to do with a sporting event. It has everything to do with gathering together. It says in verse 25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The writer is saying to us that we ought to be in church every Sunday because you never know on any given Sunday what God might do. Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together as has become the habit of some that go down to the sports cathedrals, but come together to see what God might do. You can never tell what God might do when God's people come together and become riveted on who He is rather than having their minds on a thousand other things. There are three things I want you to understand in Hebrews 10:19-25. What does God do when we give gathering together a sporting chance?

First, people are raised up when we come to church. The writer says in verses 19 and 20, Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body He says that there is a new way through Christ. There is a way to go before the holy God. There is a way to be raised up. There is a way to be saved. There is a way to know the righteous God. The old way the way that seems right to man - is a way of death. But there is a new way which is a living way, and it leads to eternal life. Every Sunday in houses of worship people are raised up from death in sin to new life in Jesus Christ, and they enter the way of the Lord Jesus.

Six times in Scripture Christianity is called the way. It is a new and living way. In Acts 9:2, Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, and Acts 24:22 Christianity is referred to as the way. Why is it called the way? I think there are two reasons. Number one, it was the way to get to God through Christ, and number two, it was the way they lived. A new and living way. Every Sunday people find the new way. In John 14:2-4, Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. And Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? And Jesus said to him, I am the way.

The way to get to God is Jesus Christ. There is no other way. All across America in houses of worship where Christ is lifted up, people who are lost, on the road to hell, will step off of that road and onto the road with Christ. They will join a new and living way. They will get a passport for heaven. Passports are interesting documents. I have one, but will have to get it updated if I need to travel abroad again; it has expired. On an American passport is this statement: The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen or national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give any lawful aid and protection. The Secretary of State of the United States says that I should be able to pass, and if I need any lawful aid it should be given me because I am a citizen of the United States. I hold proof of that from my country.

This is not the only passport I possess. I have a passport written on the walls of my heart that will one day take me to the gate of heaven. When I am asked, Why should I let you in? I am going to show them my passport that Jesus stamped upon me - a passport which does not expire - and they are going to say, Enter in, because I have been walking with Him in the new and living way. My question to you is, are you walking in the new and living way? Have you been saved? This can happen any Sunday, because people get raised up in worship when they give it a sporting chance.

Second, people are cleaned up when gathering together is given a sporting chance. Notice in verse 22 it says, Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Ephesians 5:25-26 says that we are to be washed with the water of the Word. Every Sunday people come that are members of this church; they are saved but do not have a clear conscience. They are a member of God's family but are not walking in harmony and obedience with God. They have a conscience that is killing them.

You should strive to have a clear conscience. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:12, Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to Gods grace. Paul claimed to have a clear conscience.

How do you get a clear conscience? There are two things that have to happen for you to have a clear conscience. Number one: You come to church and sit under the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. The Scripture brings conviction, and then the Spirit brings cleansing out of your confession. When the Spirit of God brings conviction, you cry out to God, Oh, be merciful to me, a sinner! and when you do, the Spirit of God cleanses from all unrighteousness. If you cry out to God, you will find a loving Father to cleanse you. The Word of God will bring conviction as it is lifted up and preached. If you will cry out to God, cleansing will come through the Spirit.

Thank God for a clear conscience. Did you ever try to go to bed with a guilty conscience? It's not fun. You kind of flop and roll while saying, I shouldn't have done that, and tomorrow I have to deal with You'll sleep a lot better if you come clean with God. You'll enjoy church more. There are some people not in church because they know they have to come clean with God. Some venture into church saying, I have a laundry list - you're not going to believe what is on my conscience today. I don't think youre going to tell God anything He hasn't already heard. He is not concerned about what you have done; He is concerned that you do something about what you have done.

When we give gathering together a sporting chance, people come into this place crushed by life and wondering where to turn. God has Good News: there is a merciful, loving, heavenly Father who will forgive you, love you, change you, and yes, cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Call to Him, Oh God, be merciful! and He will. When given a sporting chance, people are raised up. When given a sporting chance, people are cleaned up.

When gathering together is given a sporting chance, people are stirred up. Verse 23 says, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And verse 24 says, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Every Sunday, verse 25, when you do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together; when you come to God's house, some will be raised up and some will be cleaned up. The larger truth is that most of us need to be stirred up. It is not enough to just come and sit and enjoy a service. Look at the words spur on. In the Greek New Testament the word used is the word paroxysm. That is an English word that we have transliterated. A paroxysm is a sudden outburst of enthusiastic involvement. Para is the first part of the word that means along side of. It is like a paramedic who comes along side the real medic. A paralegal is not an attorney but the paralegal is alongside the attorney. Oxynein is the word for goad or a sharp stick. We can stir up one another in different ways. We need to stir others, and we need to be stirred by others. On Sunday you may get stirred to take part in ministries and services that result in your being stirred to be a soul winner; a godly husband, father; or a godly wife or mother.

Many of us give testimony of a time when we didn't tithe. It is wonderful to hear what God used to stir us to tithe. Some struggle with being able to love others. The Spirit of God stirs you up, and you begin to love people that you once thought you couldn't love. Some of you have been crusty and mean, but you have been stirred to start shaking hands, building relationships and caring for others.

In verse 24 we are told to stir up one another. You are to paroxysm each other. You are to poke or goad each other to love and good deeds. It is stimulating to do that which is loving and that which is good. This word is often used in the negative. The word paroxysm can be translated provoke. We can stimulate wrath and bad works rather than love and good works. We must not do that. We are to stir one another up to love and the good things of life. That's why we need to come to church. We get raised up, cleaned up, and thank God we will get stirred up.

Neglecting church brings a kind of darkness into our lives. Those who use fireplaces, or sit around the campfire, notice when one of the logs in the fire breaks rolls over by itself. The rest of the fire is burning, but the little piece by itself is doing two things - it's smoking and stinking, and the reason is that it got away from the fellowship of the fire. If you are a part of a local church and roll off by yourself, you will likely do two things - you'll smoke a lot and stink a lot, but you're not going to keep anybody warm. You need to be brought back to the fire. That's why he says in this text, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Be a part of the family and be ablaze with the glory of God.

We should remember two things about this instruction. Number one: it is given as an imperative - do not give up meeting together. Its not a debate; it is a command. Don't stop being a part of the church. Get in the fellowship. Don't roll away from the fire. Stay around God's people.

Number two: there is an incentive. And all the more as you see the Day approaching. What day is that? It is the day of our Lord's coming again. The incentive is that the closer we get to Jesus' coming, the closer we want to be to a part of the Church of the living God. We want to be a part of the family when Jesus comes. He is coming for His Church. The more we see that day coming, the closer we want to be to the Lord and His family. If the living Church of the living God is not taking care to minister to the world and to one another, we can be guaranteed that no one else is going to. Why do you think that it was so important for the early Christians to meet for worship even when it was dangerous to do so? Why do you think that it is still important in places where the danger exists? Because God will be honored and glorified no matter what is going on in the world. God will still raise up men and women in devoted service no matter what is going on in the world. Our call is to be faithful to God. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

Rev. Charles A. Layne

First Baptist Church

PO Box 515

179 W. Broadway

Bunker Hill, IN 46914

765-689-7987

[email protected]

http://www.bhfirstbaptist.com

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]