Intro:
Ok, we’ve spent enough time on baseball. Let’s close up this section by focusing on verse 17 and what it means to be thoroughly equipped.
What kind of equipment does a baseball player need to play ball? Gloves, bats, balls and maybe ball caps. But balls and bats a ball player do not make! There is a thing called skill as well.
I might be able to play catch with my kids but that does not make me a baseball player nor enable me to compete at the any level. That requires skill and ability.
Now, when it comes to being a Christian, which comes first the ball player or the skill? Seems like a dumb question … kinda chicken and egg … but think through it. Which comes first? Is my identity in my ability/skill or some place else? In sports, I gain my identity BY my skill. In Christ, I gain my identity by HIS skill and seek to grow into what He already sees in me.
God puts us on the team first and then works on our skill over time.
Congratulations, if you are a Christian, you are in the Big Leagues!
Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
Think:
Look at verse 17 again. What comes first, the man/woman of God or being complete and thoroughly equipped? Or put another way, which comes first, your identity or your skill?
God puts us on the team first and then works on our skill over time. We study the Playbook (v.16) to gain skill but we are already on the team (v.17). It is so that the man of God may BECOME complete and equipped. So often we hear Christians say I want to be a “man of God” (MOG) or a “woman of God” (WOG). I’ve got a news flash for you this day, If you are in Christ you already are a MOG or WOG!!!! You are on the team! Now we seek to grow into what He already sees in us.
No fear of being fired, benched or removed from this Angels team. You are a Big League player; you are a MOG or WOG. Really now the question becomes are you a skilled MOG? Are you a skilled WOG?
The New Testament says that God has made perfect forever those He is making perfect. In other words, God put us on the team and now is teaching, reproving, correcting and training us to be skilled players on His team.
Do:
What can you do today to express thanks to the Owner of the team? Will your heart sing a song of joy for being accepted on a team you were not skilled enough to be on?
May I suggest listening to a song in the Worship Center below? Try #22: "Made Me Glad". Listen to the words. Close your eyes. Lift your hands. Enjoy.
The Scriptures (Playbook) is a key to your skill. Continue to read and study with us at DevoLink.
Take time to thank God right now for His amazing kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
