One thing I love about Asbury College is the freedom to talk about the Lord and its not awkward....usually. Being at a conservative Christian college that emphasises holiness has been encouraging in my evangelism efforts. Today I had another privilege to lift up Christ and share His gospel. A former Asbury basketball player brought his middle school basketball team to our game tonight. A few hours before tip off me, my coach, and another teammate had a chance to meet these young people, encourage them, tell them about Asbury, and most importantly share the gospel.
My teammate Daniel spoke first, he talked about utilizing the simple gifts God has given us to be the best we can be. Daniel is a great teammate and that is saying alot in a generation of selfish players. Then I spoke with a bible in one hand and basketball in the other. I started with Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." I grew up playing with & against some great ball players in Louisville, but the best would have to be Rajon Rondo. He's the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics and we grew up playing with or aganist each other from church league, YMCA, middle school, high school, and even won an AAU state championship together. I realized at a young age that I was never going to be as athletic as Rajon so I'd have to work very hard and become as skilled a player as I could to compete at a high level. Working hard is rewarding & a must in life but to work hard as unto the Lord rather than men is the prime objective. God alone deserves the glory and its His favor and blessing that one must truly have when its all said in done.
I then took my bible and showed them how I had exchanged God's Word for a basketball when I was their age (12-14 yr old). Basketball is a blessing but not the reason for our existence...in the end the most important thing is if we have a right relationship with God. To hammer this home I scanned the room & asked, "Did anyone see how many points Michael Jordan scored last night?"....their faces seemed blank & confused....I answered, "Of course you didn't, MJ doesn't play anymore because he is to old now"....the kids smile back...I then ask, "Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game once but did anyone see how many points he had last night?"...blank looks again...I answer back, "You didn't see Wilt Chamberlain score last night because he's dead".....now I'm getting sober looks from these kids with pin drop silence.
I said this to bring to light the fact that we're all going to die one day and have to stand before a holy God and give an account for our lives. Basketball won't really matter on this day, all that will matter is if we are right with God. These kids may be young, but they're old enough to sin and they're old enough to die and I care about them & their souls. Life is but a vapor, yesterday I was in their shoes and tomorrow I'll have grandchildren (Lord willing). I then guided them through the standard of God's law (10 commandments) to show them their need for a Savior. Explained sin, God's justice and why we deserve nothing but a place in hell. All this was to bring forth the glory of Christ our only Savior who takes away the sin of the world!!!
As I was unpacking the gospel and explaining all that Christ accomplished on the cross I was encouraged to see a young girl in the back nodding her head as if the light bulb had come on. I finished with the power of Christ's resurrection and the command to repent & trust in Jesus for Salvation with a new heart. These kids were very attentive and that's all I could hope for when sharing the good news. There is no feeling like sharing the gospel, its like beginning born again & again....it reminds us of the miracle of our own conversion. Lord I praise You for Your loving kindness toward sinners, glorify Your great name by saving those who heard Your gospel today. Amen
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