SQUEEZE VS SACRIFICE
LOCATION:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
HEADLINE:
"I wish everyone would turn to Jesus and to the Bible. So many say, ‘Let me do my own thing for a while and I'll change in a couple of years.' The sad thing is, you may never get there. We don't control the next breath." – John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves
GAME SUMMARY:
While traveling overseas with an Athletes in Action Fastpitch Softball Team, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with the opposing team and fans in the stands (typically between games of a double-header). A great way of communicating this in relation to softball is to use the Suicide Squeeze Play.
Just like the Coach has a plan or strategy for getting a runner home, God has a plan to get each of us home to Him!
A suicide squeeze can only be put into motion if the batter sees the sign from the Coach. In the same way, Jesus received the plan from His Father.
Now the batter has to be willing to give up their at bat and lay down a bunt. Jesus, as well, had to be willing to lay down and give up His life for us.
All of that, and the only way the play will be completely successful is if the runner at 3rd sees the signal and chooses to run home once the pitch is on the way. The same is for us, as we have to acknowledge God’s plan and respond to Jesus’ sacrifice for us!
MVP:
Jesus Christ who died for your sins so that you can have everlasting life!
RECAP:
Have you ever missed a sign your coach has given you when you were at the plate? If you missed a sign for a suicide squeeze, your teammate at 3rd will most likely be out easily, right? We can rejoice in knowing that Jesus didn’t miss the “sign” and we can easily come home to Him! The runner has to start running before the batter makes contact, and have faith in the batter to make contact. When have you had to have faith in someone else, in God, so you are successful in what you do? When have you started something, and had to depend on someone else before you could finish?
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