The FANS

We've all been there and experienced an event where the crowd is gathering and the excitement is building.  Everyone is getting to their seat who has a ticket, and others are purchasing hats or t-shirts to claim their full support and backing.  These times are electrifying and the anticipation is packed full of wonder!  The FANS are all together in this event knowing what each other agree on ... their TEAM!


What happens if you not yet a fan of either team ... yet?  What if this was your first exposure to this type of event?  You don't really know much about either side or even what will happen next!


Now, pull this same experience into your heart.  Put yourself in this situation from the perspective of someone else experiencing your life, your world, your church.  My church?  What?


Today's fan expects others to know why they are so ... fanatic! Come on - The shirt, the hat, the EXCITEMENT - it's obvious, right!?  Not always.  So many people don't understand the Bible, the purpose of the church, Jesus, or even life!


Taking this person into your "event" is strange to them and even uncomfortable - they are not dressed with the FAN garb or even have the chant down like everyone else!  They sit when others stand, they don't scream when others scream, they are not into what the FAN is doing or even thinking!  WHY?


The FAN is into themselves and their team, not those who are from the outside.  People who are outside the normal American church are not welcomed FANS and don't feel comfortable for many reasons.  Oh, then there are those who quote scripture at people and know they understand everything exactly as King James wrote it!


Bottom line - we all need to enjoy the game.  Not everyone has the same perspective on the game as you or me.  When 'outsiders' come into our world - we must make sure we share the excitement and GIFT of being a FAN.  Otherwise it's not fun for them if we expect them to know it - without sharing it first.


Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and SEATED US with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.