[why we play "soft"ball]
The first game this season will be held on May 31st at Lancaster City Park. There might actually be 20 teams in the church as a whole, so there will be a lot of games and injuries and fun every Sunday afternoon this summer. Not to mention the abundant opportunities to cultivate Christ-like relationships amongst one another and to establish contact with unbelievers in our community. Let us all remain biblically-aligned in our will, our focus, and our desires with the Diving design God has established for His church in this world.
Please be in prayer for the three objectives of the softball season: 1) service and the edification of the believers (see Scriptures below), 2) outreach and the salvation of the lost (see Scriptures below), and 3) golden softball and the glorification of the ROCK group (no biblical basis whatsoever!).
These TWO biblical objectives (service and outreach) are the "bat and ball," the "hand and glove", the "right and left cleat," the "home and away teams" to the softball season for the church; both are absolutely necessary! Let us not show up without one or the other.
Service and the Edification of Believers
First Corinthians 12:4–6 says, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Romans 14:18, 19 say, "Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
Ephesians 4:15, 16 says, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
First Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
Outreach and the Salvation of the Lost
Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Mark 16:15 says, "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'"
Second Timothy 4:2, 5 say, "Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Colossians 4:3–5 says, "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account for which I am in prison--4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."
Ok, Now Go Out and Play Ball!
