In Season and Out of Season
II Tim 4:2
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Paul tells us that there are going to be seasons where preaching is in and times when preaching is out.
The social acceptance is not what should decide our doctrine, beliefs, lifestyle or preaching. We are to be Christians in season and out of season.
JOHN ELWAY-
I began to follow football in 1994. I was 12 years old and the sport intrigued me. I watched a player who was so driven, so talented and so resilient; no matter what the score, the other team feared him having the ball... He was John Elway. I caught him in his last 5 years, probably his best. In 1998 and 1999 he lead the Broncos to back to back Superbowl wins. It was wonderful to be a Broncos fan! After the second Superbowl win, Elway retired.
THEN...
We had Bubby Brister, Brian Griese, Gus Frerotte, Steve Buerlein, Jake Plummer, Jarious Jackson, Jay Cutler, Chris Simms, Kyle Orton, and Tim Tebow...
Let me be the first Bronco's fan to say, the last 13 years have been tough!!!!
Enter 2012... the Broncos land Peyton Manning, arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. "Oh Happy Day"!!!! We finally have a quarterback like Elway.
The calls began to come in from people who used to laugh and make fun of the loser Broncos. All of a sudden, they wanted to know where I get all of my Denver gear. They had converted... they were Denver fans! I welcomed them and celebrated with them.
Enter 2013.... the Broncos secure the number one seed, only to lose to Baltimore at home. All of a sudden the new Bronco fans are quiet. They are unsure if Denver was a good idea. They aren't as happy to wear the gear I helped them acquire.
I understand that when I began to be a Broncos fan, Denver was good, Elway was in his prime and we were a perennial powerhouse. However, I was a Broncos fan when being a Broncos fan wasn't cool too. Through Bubby Brister, 17 different running backs, trading Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, hiring Josh McDaniels, finishing as the 2nd worse team in the NFL and not making the playoffs several times.... Regardless of what the team's record was- WIN or LOSE... I am a Broncos fan. "In Season, and Out of Season"
JACK HYLES-
At age 17 God called me to preach. It was the year 2000. In the 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's Independent Baptist churches were growing by leaps and bounds. New churches were springing up and staying strong with the Old Time Religion. It was a great time to fall into Fundamentalism. Jack Hyles, Tom Malone, Lee Roberson, Carl Hatch, Harold Sightler... The preacher's were heroes and champions of the faith. Being an old time Fundamentalist was a good thing. Soul-winning, the bus ministry, gospel music, standards of holiness and preaching Hell hot was accepted and anticipated from churches.
Enter 2013... Those heroes of the faith are in Heaven, being a Fundamentalist makes you a nut job, soul winning has been replaced with marketing, the bus ministry doesn't reach rich people so it doesn't work, rock music has been repackaged as CCM and dance teams are commonplace, Christians who look like and act like Christ are called Pharisees and judges, preaching has been pushed aside for PowerPoint's and pep rallies and churches have erased the name and doctrine of Baptist.
I understand that when I chose to be a Fundamental Baptist preacher it was a good time to do so. But I want the world to know that even now when being an Independent Fundamental Baptist is frowned upon, falsely ridiculed and freely mocked... I'm still an Independent, Fundamental, King James ONLY, Premillennial, Soul-Winning, Bus Running, Standard having, Hell Hot, Heaven Sweet, Holy Spirit Filled, Holy Ghost led, pew jumping, Bible thumping PREACHER! Regardless of what the crowd says, I am a Fundamental Baptist "In Season and Out of Season".
JESUS-
As a teenager, there are so many things that may seem common to you. Serving Christ, going to Church, the Bible you use, the activities, the preaching, the standards of separation and the love for souls. But as you grow up, you are going to find that those things are not as accepted as you thought.
I would just like to encourage you to decide to be Christian- In season and out of season.
Believe the Bible- the KING JAMES BIBLE- In season and out of season.
Love others and win souls- In season and out of season.
Live Godly and separate from the world- In season and out of season.
Sing Spiritual songs and hymns- In season and out of season.
Preach the Bible- In season and out of season.
Be Christlike- In season and out of season.
Being a godly Christian may be cool at times, but there will be many times when it is not. You must resolve to be a thermostat and not a thermometer. Don't let your surroundings determine your spirituality.
Decide to live for God "In Season and Out of Season".
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