October 8, 2020

I have been a sports fan all my life and there is nothing better than an unlikely comeback unless of course it’s happening against your team. Here is one I found while searching the subject.

This game might have been between two Texas high school teams, but it is still one of the craziest games ever played. Trailing the John Tyler Lions 41-17 with just over three minutes left in the game, Plano East successfully recovered three onside kicks to pull within 44-41 with 24 ticks left. So, did the Panthers nail a field goal to send it to overtime before winning it? Nope: Kick returner Roderick Dunn ran 97 yards for a ridiculous game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left, closing the game out in fashion.

Picture yourself as a fan of the Plano team, at the point this comeback started, you may have been pretty dejected but, I suspect when the comeback began there was somebody in that group of fans that began cheering even though the situation looked pretty hopeless. There is such a thing as contagious enthusiasm, a powerful force, and something I want to focus on today. Can you imagine the change in enthusiasm in the crowd of fans for Plano by the time that last three minutes of the game played out?

Phil 1: 12-18 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former, proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

We know that Paul wrote this letter from prison and many of us in his situation would consider this loosely like being down big, late in the game. It’s amazing the peace of a man who knows for certain that he is right in the center of God’s will. Strength and joy are unmistakable, in the midst of his, “Circumstances.” His primary driving concern is the, “Greater progress of the gospel.” He wants Jesus to be made known in every facet and function of his life and, the result was a surge of enthusiasm. Those people in the orbit of his world turned into fans and fanatics, I like the way Paul puts it much better, “Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” There it is, contagious enthusiasm, may it increase in me, you, and all believers today.

Finally, Paul didn’t, “Sweat the small stuff,” he realized his world wasn’t perfect but, his Savior was. When some in his world wanted to cause him distress his response is to, as I have heard it put, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” He expressed the kind of maturity we should all pray for and aspire to, “whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”

Today, we cling to the hope and enthusiasm that can only be found in Jesus. This game is over, Jesus sealed the victory on the cross and the only question left for us is what will be the final score.
To Him who finished the most unlikely comeback,

Ron Mathre