Opening Day!
As we celebrate another opening day of America’s favorite pastime, Baseball; I am reminded of my friend we lost this past year. So, I dedicate this post to his memory. These are the notes from the message I delivered at his celebration of life eternal.
8/14/18: Wayne Peyton
Thank you all for being here today as we celebrate the life and mourn our loss of Wayne Peyton together. I recognize that no one comes to a funeral to hear some long-winded Pastor drone on and on. So, I promise, to the best of my ability, to keep my comments brief. That being said, though, there are things which I know my brother Wayne would desire for me to share with you all, that you might have some comfort, some hope, and perhaps, even some joy restored unto you in the midst of your sorrow.
Wayne and I had several “loves” in common in this life. We both enjoyed the outdoors, as a matter of fact, I loved hearing from Wayne about times he had gotten to spend fishing with his son or stories of outdoor adventures with his family. We both enjoyed a good cup of black coffee (the way God intended it be drunk). And, so, it was that we got to sit and have a cup together often. As a matter of fact, one of the most somber moments I have had to deal with in the past couple of months was when the day arrived that I no longer needed to make sure that Wayne had a cup ready for him when he arrived for Sunday school. But there is another passion we both shared, one which I believe, besides from speaking about the Lord Jesus, is the one we would talk about most often. It is the greatest game ever invented… BASEBALL!
Wayne, of course, a SF Giants fan; and, I, myself, a Cleveland Indians fan. Wayne, having played in the Mets farm system, understood, more than most men I get to talk baseball with, the incredible amount of thinking and talent it takes to even play baseball at the level he did. I loved to talk baseball with Wayne.
I said all that to warn you that I am now going to have a baseball conversation with you all. One of the things we talked often about was how baseball was a game you had to love because the goal of the game is to get home. You understand that each base along the path represents a major victory. This is not unlike the Christian walk which Wayne himself, along with a lot of us here, also braved.
First, you come to the plate, as in life, if you would, you are born. You look out, and 60′ 6″ away stands your adversary. Now, your adversary, has an arsenal of pitches meant to deceive you so that you can never advance to the bag at first base. But what he does not realize, is that you have a whole stadium cheering for you. The owner of the field has also given you great coaches to instruct you as to how you can, with the swing of a sword made from ash, win this first battle. Of course, the adversary in our analogy is the devil of old.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8
So he stands 60′ 6″away trying to devour you; but, remember, you have the owner of the field cheering for you, along with the crowd in the stands!
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Listen He cares for you so He is not going to leave you alone, as a matter of fact:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:16-18
God has given us a great Coach in His only begotten Son the one that has beaten this adversary we face time and time again. Let’s listen to His words that we might swing away and reach first base safely.
Once on first, which is that having accepted the free gift of salvation, which comes by our Coach, Jesus. We now face our next challenge, 90 feet away is second base. We have our faith in only Jesus Christ for our salvation, but, how are we ever to navigate these base paths to get home? Well, He has given us an additional coach at first base. This coach can see, even before the pitcher makes his move, the dangers before us.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:13-15
Once we come to faith in Jesus Christ, He gives us His spirit to help us. Earlier in this passage, Jesus, speaking of the Spirit, refers to Him as the comforter. This is His job, He is here to help us in this world, in this life, He will help us navigate the bases safely. It does not mean that there won’t be difficulties. Be aware, your adversary has 8 other men on the field. Their whole goal is to keep you from advancing to the next base.
Each base represents a victory in our lives. We advance safely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We having studied, for several pitches now, how our adversary tries to pick us off. We know it is time to go! Make that dash for second base!
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:1-3
Notice, as we grow through the Word of God, just as the newborn babes grow by milk, we will be prepared for the next base in life: so…go!
Now safe at second base, we rest for a moment, knowing that there is yet another base awaiting us! However, now the advantage is yours because the pitcher is facing the batter currently in the box. But, do not get comfortable or complacent because in the blink of an eye he may spin on his heels and fire a dart at you! We must not waste time because we have a goal to get home.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:14-16
This is that point in the game that you recognize that in order to advance you need to help the batter in the box. Thus, you begin dancing in the base path so that the adversaries pitches are not nearly as effective on your team mates. Your team mates have witnessed your own advancements and victories and so it is with confidence they step up to the plate or stand on first. Their confidence is not in themselves but in the knowledge that they, too, are not alone in this game.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22-25
See, you are no longer just a man who hears the word; but, you have become a doer, and as such, have advanced on the base paths of life.
Now, you advance to third with ease, because others behind you begin to advance you by following the example you have set for them. And, then you see it, standing only 90 feet from home, you recognize that the point of it all you learned when you first got into the box:
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:22-23
You, as you stand on the bag at third, understand that all of this was made possible because the Coach called you up to play, put you into the game because He gave you the gift of eternal life, all you needed to enjoy it was receive it.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
Now, you just wait your turn to run home; but, how will you know when that time is right?
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
When your job is done, Go home!
I mentioned at the beginning of this message that there is a stadium cheering for you as well, and this is those who have gone on before.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
See, the stadium is filled with the saints which have gone before, even Wayne, himself, now sits in the stands cheering us on that we might finish this game looking only to Jesus for our salvation and victory.
What is the chant the crowd roars?
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
So, our dear brother, Wayne, until we join you in that Heavenly Stadium, rest well, friend and cheer on!
Closing thought for us:
I pray this encourages your heart and walk with Jesus today. Remember the game is still being played, and no one who has been called to play the game desires to be a bench warmer. Now, get out there and “play ball”!