Repeat Of Preparation And Playing That I Actually Gave

I used to play basketball with a guy from Macedonia and a guy from Ecuador. The guy from Macedonia was the best shooter I have ever seen. I have never seen anyone make as many shots as he could--from anywhere on the court. The guy from Ecuador was 6 foot 4 and would have been a good offensive tackle or tight end if he was born in the United States. He was just an athlete, and tall.

Now one time, I think it was after exams and Christmas break, we had stopped playing for a couple of months. When we started playing again, they both said that they had gained 20 pounds and hadn’t touched a basketball. I had to tell them I was practicing a little here at church and even played with my teenaged cousins back home a few times.

The guy from Macedonia got this wry smile on his face and laughed a little, “That is not practice. I used shoot free-throws an hour every day.” The guy from Ecuador just said with typical Latin machismo, “Practice don’t make you a player.” Needless to say, they beat me pretty bad that day.

So what does this have to do with being a Christian?

First, The Macedonian’s criticism of my practice habits reinforced the importance of serious study. We have to study the Bible rigorously and not haphazardly. This thought occurred to me when we were studying Acts. I didn’t and couldn’t do well on those tests unless I read and reviewed daily. I couldn’t just come in Wednesday and Sunday and know what was going on. Like with basketball, you can’t practice Wednesday and Sundays and expect to do well. It takes much more concentrated preparation and than that.

This practice “idea” reminds me of two passages: In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul implores us to run in such a way that we may obtain “the prize.” Another translation says we must go into “strict training.” He also warns us not to “beat against the air.” It also reminds me of Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul describes “the armor of god.” Focused preparation and study allows us build and fit a “whole armor” that protects us from the “evil day.”

But armor is not only for protection, and this brings me to my second point. Armor allows us to battle, to evangelize, and to venture to the “ends of the earth.” You can only practice so much before you have to play. My friend from Ecuador taught me that practicing and studying the Bible are not complete ends in themselves; they have to lead to a Christian acts and a Christ-like example. They have to lead to evangelism. (Acts 1:8) This message was driven home when Brother Worley said his mission at the school of Jos was “to train evangelists, not theologians.”

Evangelism was what those basketball games with my international and American friends were and are really about. They were opportunities to demonstrate a Christ-like example, opportunities to spread the Gospel of Christ. It was where I discovered that my friend attended an Iglesia de Christo, church of Christ, in Ecuador, but he had questions that we were able to study together.

Now, at this time, if we haven’t been practicing or playing up to our abilities, let us recommit ourselves. If you’re not a Christian, isn’t it time to get in the “game?” If you have any need before the church, please come forward as we sing.