OCTOBER (part 2)
In part 1 of this series, we looked at why none of us are to remain in the batter’s box. Jesus Christ of Nazareth pinch hit for each and every one of us on the cross and on Resurrection Day, our Savior, came out of the box after crushing the enemy’s best pitch. He did not come out of the box alone, The King of Kings gave each of us first base so that we could begin our journey to heaven to be with Him in Glory for eternity.
Today, I want to ask to you see what happens next according to God’s Game Plan, the Bible. Did Jesus take that fast ball in the ribs and stripes on his back just to get you into Heaven? I have heard it said that if that was the case then as soon as you accepted Christ into your heart you might as well die and go to heaven. Game over!
According to Mark 16:15, our team captain Jesus, gave us our Father’s game plan, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” Matthew 10:8 goes into further detail, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. ” Jesus also says in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
Sounds to me that we were not just called or made to leave the box and score a run by reaching home plate, Heaven. We are actually called to drive in runs, bringing others home to Heaven.
Most baseball enthusiast have seen the movie ‘The Natural’. Roy Hobbs, played by Robert Redford, has a special bat called “Wonderboy” that came from a tree that was struck by lightning. This unusual supernatural gift gives Roy the power to drive the ball beyond even his own dreams. Our Father has given that same power to us. Jesus walked in this same power called the Holy Spirit, from age 30 to 33, performing miracle after miracle while driving out demons and taking the world by Fire. John the Baptist said THE ONE coming after me will baptize by Fire.
Imagine yourself returning to the dugout after Jesus finally got you out of the box. You are getting high fives and slaps on the back when the last person you see in the dugout is Jesus. He hands you His bat called THE HOLY SPIRIT. The greatest gift of all was God sending His only Son Jesus to die for you, but THE GAME IS NOT OVER!
Roy forgot about what made the bat special and started believing he was the secret to his ability to do great things with the bat. In the biggest moment of his career, under the most difficult circumstances, his mighty bat ‘Wonderboy’ is shattered. He returns to the dugout bleeding from his side and feeling as though everything was lost. His bat boy Bobby hands him the bat that Roy helped him make called ‘The Savoy Special’ and Roy experiences the supernatural power from above once again as lightning strikes as his home run hits the scoreboard.
Jesus just handed you His Bat, THE HOLY SPIRIT, and He did so early in the game. We are not sure what inning it is exactly and when Jesus will return to finish the game, but we do know what we are called to do. Jesus took himself out of the game and you have become His arms and feet. He gave you the power that He hit with! It is not you or a bat, it is the power inside you called the Holy Spirit! So what are you going to do with it?
Are you willing to pay the price of carrying the anointed bat “THE HOLY SPIRIT”? Everyone wants to hit home runs and see miracles, but the Bible, God’s Game Plan, lays out specific instructions you must follow in order for the HOLY SPIRIT to show up powerfully in you. God spells out in Galatians 5:16-26 exactly the price we must pay in order for the Holy Spirit to work through our hands.
I can tell you from experience, I could not hit the ball out of the infield when trying to play the game without Christ gift, the Holy Spirit. I got tired, frustrated, and weary from trying to accomplish great things on my own strength and ability. I had accepted Christ into my heart and fully believe I was saved. I was a good man, but failed time and time again not fully committing my life and goals to Christ. For me it was not baseball, but basketball. When I finally chose to make basketball my ministry instead of my way to personal fame and glory, God unleashed the Holy Spirit’s power and the results were supernatural. I know you could argue that my teams don’t win every game or championship, but even in defeat I found myself a Champion by focusing on winning souls. That is the only prize we will be taking to Heaven!
This is powerful message from My Pastor Dr. Daryl Wootton who I call coach. Pastor D gave the message at the SLC3 Coaches Experience this past summer. He does an incredible job of explaining the cost of what it takes to carry a bat as big and powerful as THE HOLY SPIRIT. I encourage you to take the time to listen to the link below.