ISC "Jesus Pin" Story
2012 England
London
Any person who has played organized sports has heard the coach's words "Leave it all on the floor" or "Leave it all on the field," challenging each player to give 100%, leaving nothing in reserve. As the first eight days of ministry began to draw to a close, the team was weary. Mitch Hamilton challenged our International Sports Chaplains to reach deep inside of ourselves, give it our best, hold nothing in reserve, and finish strong. He reminded us that the Lord would provide our strength.
In London, thousands heard the Good News. We did not hold great rallies with athletes on the agenda. We simply went out each day with a smile on our faces and the love of God in our hearts... armed with a simple tool to share the "Greatest Story Ever Told." We showed up, and God showed out! We rejoiced as many made eternal changes in their lives.
One day a team member was explaining to an elderly woman how to share the Gospel message using the "Jesus Pin." Once the story was completed, the lady's response was "I think even I could do that."
The story is simple. The Bible teaches us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Yet, He desires to have a relationship with us. He demonstrated his love for us according to His Word, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
In the words of one of our chaplains, "God gives us a do-over." By confessing with our mouths our sins and making Him Boss of our lives, we are purified. 1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Think about the winter earth covered with a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Everything is clean and beautiful, which is exactly what the Blood of Christ does for us. His sacrificial blood covers all the ugliness in our lives. The great thing is that His covering doesn't melt away. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) We do not become perfect, but we desire to become more Christlike in our lives. We have a new best friend. We strive to know Him through the study of His Word - the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with fellow believers.
The ultimate prize is Eternal Life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Eternally walking the streets of gold... praising God with heavenly bodies... no more suffering and no more pain. What a glorious day that will be!
At the end of each Olympics, the flame of the torch is extinguished. However, the flame that burns inside of each one of us as a Christ follower will burn eternally. His flame will never be extinguished. We are to be the light to a dark world.
The Story is simple: "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Does this make sense? Do you have a story like that in your life? If not, you can have it today. Confess with your mouth you are a sinner. Accept His gift of cleansing, and ask Him to be Lord (Boss) of your life.
He promises us in Ezekiel, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
(Ezekiel 36:25-27)