Pastor's Corner

3 Nov
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Mid-Week Challenge

Congratulations to all of our Atlanta Braves fans!  Last night they won their first World Series in 26 years.  Somehow this gives me renewed hope in my Dallas Cowboys.  I miss the days of Aikman, Irvin and Smith.  Everyone has a pro athlete hero that emerges from winning a world title.  The Braves have many who are becoming household names.  Dansby Swanson for one! During a national TV interview on Fox, Swanson credited his Christian faith for giving him peace during the postseason. "The good Lord – he's blessed me so much," Swanson said. "I wouldn't be here without Him. Just the peace that He gives me is remarkable – especially in moments like this, you can never go wrong trusting in that. ... I'm just so thankful to be here."

Other names in sports will arise, as they always do! The Church has long celebrated Her heroes.  Hebrews 11 is dedicated to remembering those men and women who shaped our faith and encouraged us to live as they did for the Lord. This past weekend Halloween was celebrated as a secular holiday.  Known as a pagan tradition, most people celebrate it in some form or fashion. A few hundred years ago the Catholic church began a tradition to bring honor to those who had gone before us during this season.  Wishing to focus attention off the pagan, the Church began celebrating All Saints Day to focus on “saints,” the day after Halloween on November 1.  In biblical context, a “saint” is simply a Christian, someone who has made Christ their Lord and experienced salvation and new life by His grace. Using this loose definition, every Christian is a saint, however, not every Christian acts like one. 

Just like every World Series winner is a champion, not all should be considered heroes.  And just because your team didn’t win the ultimate prize, it doesn’t disqualify them individually as a hero.  Just like a true Christian saint is known by their actions, sports heroes are too.  We might not be able to mimic their ability to hit or catch a ball, but we can model after their behavior.  It does not take natural talent to live for the Lord, but it does take a repentant heart and a Holy Spirit filled life.  When these two things are present, win or lose in the sporting arena, we are winners for Eternity.  In fact, it is usually in losing at life that the true winners emerge.

Today, celebrate those public sports heroes for their abilities, but more so model those true heroes of the Faith! Those that live for Jesus behind the scenes when the cameras are not rolling or the score is not kept.  Those are the people I want to be known to be like and associate with!       

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Serving the Savior,

Bro. Jonathan

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

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