“Do You Got Game?” (2006)

Last Sunday night, we put a basketball goal up in the church parking lot.  It is fun to get out and play. There were young kids, older kids (I fall in this category), skilled players, and not so skilled players (I fall in this category too).  There was one problem though...we had the basketball goal but no one brought a ball.  It is kind of hard to play basketball with no ball.  Also, you can't play without a goal, and you can't play a real game without a team. Sometimes, I think about our Christian life.  We go to church, we try and love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we try to share our story with those who don't know it. You can't play basketball without a ball and you can’t be a church without the essentials.  

First, we must reach up to God.  We must be a church by His rules.  He has given us His Word to teach us how the church is to function -- His way.  There is nothing like the basketball player that wants to change the rules in mid-game. Instead of winning, the team loses through frustration.  How many times do we ignore what God wants in order to do “church” our way?  Second, we must reach in and realize God has given us a team to play with. The church is made up of believers.  Some of us have a good shot, some can dribble, and some have good defense.  If we want to win the race (2 Tim. 4:7-8), we must use all of our talents, learn the talents of our team, and encourage each other even when we are tired. Third, we must reach out. Others may not know about the game.  Of course everyone does not like basketball but everyone needs the Savior.  

I remember as a kid going to the basketball court and sometimes I could not find anyone to play with.  I would shoot alone and hope someone would show up to play.  I remember leaving rejected when I could not play because there was no team.  Sometimes, other kids would come and didn't want to play because they said they were not very good.  I didn't care how good they were, it was fun just being able to fellowship and play. Sometimes, I meet Christians that show up to church but don't want to play because they don't think they are good enough.  I think this is a faith built upon works. Have we forgotten the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ?  What about the joy of playing the game?  Have we lost the love of seeing other people grow in Christ, or better yet, come to Christ?

The writer of Hebrews (chapter 10) encourages us to: draw close to God (v. 22) -- REACH UP; hold to the faith (v. 23) -- REACH UP; consider how we may love one another and do good deeds (v. 24) -- REACH IN and OUT; and not to forget to meet together (v. 25) -- REACH IN and OUT.

You know it is kind of hard to be a church without Jesus and doing things His way! Take a shot -- His grace is sufficient!  We can't play basketball without a ball.  We can't be a church without fixing our eyes on Jesus.  We can't be a church if we don't reach up, reach in, and reach out.  “Do you got game?”
 
Randy Consford

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