Evangelism
Join us for all three services on Sunday morning, October 23rd for the message:
“Baseball Is Life!”
8:15, 9:30, and 10:55 AM
It has been called the “All American Pass Time.” It unites all generations. It requires skill and strategic thinking. It is fun to play and to watch.
It is like a dream come true for Texas Rangers’ fans to be able to go to the World Series for the second straight year. The one thing that could make it an even better dream is when they WIN. It was exciting to watch them win in their American League Championship Series against Detroit last week. Nelson Cruz made it exciting with his record setting performance with 6 homers and 13 RBI’s. Rangers’ fans have waited patiently for a long time for a World Series like this one against the Cards. (Now you finally get to wear your Texas Ranger’s jersey to church.)
Baseball is a lot like life. There are a lot of ups and downs. There is a struggle. It takes practice and skill. You never know what will happen. Everybody gets their turn at bat. You cannot score a run unless you get on base. And there is so much more.
Baseball has woven itself into the everyday fabric of life and legend. And there are so many great stories that come out of baseball. We love to hear of those who have become great champions and others who have overcome great challenges. Many of us have loved playing the game and many more have been thrilled at going to the stadium and getting caught up in the enthusiasm of the crowd.
Even the Apostle Paul seemed to enjoy sports. He used many sports illustrations in his epistles. He said, “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.” (I Cor. 9:25). He compared the Christian life with athletics. Anyone who is serious about their sport, whether it is baseball or something else, will train hard and those who train hard usually do well.
I hope you will join us this Sunday, October 23, for “WORLD SERIES SUNDAY!” I will be preaching the message, “Baseball is Life.” It is a rare opportunity to consider some of the similarities between Life and Baseball. It will be both fun and challenging. Let me urge you to invite a friend for Worship and Bible Study.
I want to urge all of the Adult Classes to make preparations for something special in class and try to have your whole “Roster” present. I know the Youth and Children’s Ministries will also be doing some related things in their classes and children’s church.
“Take me out to the church house…”
You Are Loved,
Bro. Kelly
PS Be sure to wear your Ranger’s jersey, t-shirt, or colors. (Or whatever your favorite team is, we love everybody 
) I will be wearing mine.
Play To Win!
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
1 Corinthians 9:19-24 (NASB)
There was a Revival meeting in Texline, Texas. It is one of the most out of the way places in the whole world. It is in the northwest corner of the tip of Texas on the border of Oklahoma and New Mexico. It is known for few things and was a hard place to eke out a living from the land. Only about 300 people in the whole community.
Bro. John Hicks had come into the community to preach that series of messages and stayed with a humble, but believing family in there. During that week of Revival one little boy was saved. His name was Wally.
Many might have wondered about how worthwhile that week of ministry was. However, Wally, always thought it was worthwhile. You probably know him as W. A. Criswell, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas for 50 years, and founder of Criswell College. He published 54 books and received 8 honorary doctor degrees and his ministry led thousands of people to Christ. I am glad someone brought him to the Revival.
The events of last week hit close to home and remind us how fragile life is and how important it is to CARE about the things that matter the most in the end.
I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities during our 2 weeks of Revival to invite a family member, friend, work associate, neighbor, or anyone the Lord may lay on your heart. Who knows what may be written 50 years from now because YOU CARED.
“Who CARES?” Sunday in Bible Study is August 28th.
Call
And
Reach
Everyone
You Are Loved,
Bro. Kelly
