Rooting in the Grandstands

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Imagine with me the following scenes. One scene takes place in Heaven, and another scene takes place on earth.The apostle Paul, along with many other of his traveling buddies from years gone by, is sitting in a Grandstand similar to the ones at the new Sports Arena in Taipei, Taiwan. It is large and new. It even smells new. Everything in Heaven smells new ... all the time. It is huge.

Paul is excited as people start to make their way onto the playing field. The competition is about to begin.The two teams playing are the HOME TEAM, made up of heathen deaf and hearing people from around the world. The VISITING TEAM is made up of evangelists from halfway around the world. They are the USA SWMI TEAM.Paul looks over his program to get the names of those playing on the “VISITING TEAM” today. There he finds names like Jimmie Sharpton, Julia Walker, Hannah Coburn, etc.The well respected apostle gets even more excited now. His team is a champion team. This is the “VISITING TEAM” since they are playing on the “HOME” team’s own field. Paul’s favorite team is playing an “AWAY GAME.” In fact, all their games are Away Games since they don’t go home for a long time yet.But, though they are playing on the field of the “HOME” team, Paul’s team is still very favored to win. Now as the team takes the field, the Apostle Paul, up in the Grandstands, stands to his feet and begins to cheer. His friends, Luke, Titus, Timothy, Tychicus, Epaphras, John Mark, Epaphroditus, and Barnabas, to name a few, all stand and join in the cheering with him. But the loudest cheer of all and most enthusiastic, no doubt, comes from the apostle himself. He remembers well when he was younger and played the field.

Those were the days. Many called them “THE GLORY DAYS.” How he could play. No one, they say, ever played the game better. Yet he loves to sit and stand and cheer for those who play now, those who have taken his place. He often argues in the stands that others have played far better than he did and could run much faster than he could run. He was a superstar though, if ever there was one. But he never brings that up. He only talks about the others who played on the field with him or about those on the field even now.In fact, if you listen to him in the stands now, you can hear him talking about up-and-coming stars like Mike Green, Joseph Haden, Ros Hyatt, Sarah Coburn, Daniel Bennett, etc.

When the game begins everyone is on their feet stretching to catch site of every move and every player. Much attention is fixed on this VISITING TEAM, especially by the HOME team's fans. They are asking questions, like, “Where did they come from? Who are they? What are they doing here? Why haven't we ever heard of them before?”After a while, some are starting to shout at them to go home and to get lost. "Get out of here!" they cry.
But the Apostle Paul stands and cheers even louder. “GO! GO! GO! GET 'EM! GET 'EM! GET 'EM! TAKE IT TO 'EM! LET 'EM HAVE IT! PREACH! PREACH! PREACH!”“YEAAAAH!” he shouts when he sees a great defensive play or a wonderful attack made on the HOME team's goal. He comments to the other old-timers by his side, “We haven't seen playing like this in a long time! Man, this is great!”The others shout out, “Did you see that move!? Wow, look what Bill Towner just did! What a move!”Another adds: “Antonio Fidalgo sure made a tremendous play a minute ago!”Another shouts enthusiastically: “Go get ‘em girl!” as Nicole Condra takes the ball downfield and makes an exciting shot on goal.And then all at once they all stand and shout “GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL! SCOOOOORRRREEEE!”

The Apostle Paul goes crazy with excitement! A soul was saved; the first of this game. It was an amazing move that Nicole put on that HOME town defender. A soul was saved! The VISITING TEAM’s fans all go to hugging and patting each other on the back as if they themselves had scored the goal. They all had felt this thrill themselves in years gone by, but that was a long time ago. But to them this was even better as they watch the new guys on the block take their places and begin to win games for the “VISITING TEAM.” And this was NOW! Wow, what a game it has been so far, and it is still early. But they are all expecting to see many MORE GOALS ... I mean ... MORE SOULS saved.

Larry Galyen is playing in the corner with Diana Galyen. What a team they make. Paul mentions that they remind him of Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila speaks up “Did I hear someone say my name?” Silas repeats what Paul said while Aquila and Priscilla both turn red. But everyone knows it was the truth and they deserved the medals they received after their game was finished! Larry and Diana were some of the most enthusiastic players coming into this game. They sure did a lot to prepare themselves. Justus says that he expects great things from them in this game. “Yes," Paul pipes up ... "with the same Holy Spirit power that we all had.... to the glory of God!” And then suddenly, Larry goes on a fast break and while some of the old stars in the Grandstand are talking, Larry takes a shot on goal and those who were paying attention yell, “SCOOOOORRRREEEEE!"Then others repeat, “GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!”Fantastic play! 2-0 for the AWAY TEAM!Pretty soon it is 4-0 as others have their moments. Then Winfrey Edward Arnold III scores a goal and makes it 5-0 for the VISITING TEAM. What a play that was!

Titus and Timothy in the Grandstands go crazy with excitement. What a game this has turned out to be! Who would have thought it?Barnabas is sitting stoically in the Grandstands and almost rebukes some who didn't expect much of a game. “Where is your faith? Haven't you been praying for the team? What's wrong with you anyway? Aren’t you on the winning team yourself? Come on, man, get up and cheer. Look over at the sidelines. Can’t you see what is happening?” The VISITING TEAM has a host of players over on the sideline, all on their knees in prayer. What support they are giving to the team on the field! Barnabas continues, “No wonder this team is winning. They can't help but win. They Have “The Power.”“Like in our own days,” quips Paul with a great big smile. “We had people back home praying for us as well. How many times did I write home and tell them to pray for God to give me boldness? And guess what ... He did. If it hadn't been for those folks praying I don't know where I would have gone or what I would have done. I was dependent on those prayer warriors back home.”And then the score increases even more .... 6-0 and then 7-0. It isn’t easy going out there on the field but there is something, it seems, behind this team. There is a force that is helping the team more than any one can realize. It is apparent.Jesse Coleman scores goal number 8 and Jody Upton scores goals number 9 and 10, back to back. One more and she’ll have a hat-trick, as they say in some sports. It is an amazing game; at least for the VISITING TEAM it is. Finally it is half time. Five days have passed. It has been an exciting first half, for sure. But the VISITING TEAM isn’t even half way to the goal they set out to reach C 30 souls saved.

The second half promises to be even more exciting. Some adjustments are sure to be made, by both teams.In the locker room the coach of the HOME TEAM is furious. He yells at his players. “What is going on out there? Can't you guys do anything right? When are you going to start playing? You have to be more aggressive with that team.”“I don't know how they do it, coach,” says one of the players named Demon.“Well, I don't either, but I know one thing; you guys had better play better and harder in the second half or we're going to lose this game and all our fans. Play dirtier this half. Play meaner. I want to see more sweat …. and some blood! You know the rules. We are limited to what we can do. But let’s push the limits to the fullest this second half!” he screams.

The Coach of the VISITING TEAM gives everyone a pat on the back as they enter their locker room. They all need some rest. It has been a great game so far but there is still much time left, and still more souls to be saved. Coach speaks up, “Don’t be discouraged. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Keep up the good work. The task may seem difficult and daunting, but we must all be determined to not give up. Don’t look at the victories of the last half, but keep your eyes on the goal, and press forward in the Spirit’s might. Have faith in God. He has never failed you yet.”David Bennett, the team captain, also adds his words of commendation for a half well-played and gives some instructions as to how to be more offensive and how to take advantage of the strengths of each team member. “Remember, God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He is with you always, even unto the end of the game!” He finishes with another word of prayer.With those words, half time is over.

All the players from the VISITING TEAM head back to the field, eager to get back to work where the goals are eternal and the rewards are glorious.As the second half starts, immediately several of the VISITING TEAM players get knocked over as the HOME TEAM starts to have its way, it would seem. Play is definitely much harder than in the first half. It seems that the HOME TEAM may make a comeback. There are several shots on goal by the HOME TEAM but they miss every time. The goalie of the VISITING TEAM is named Faith and he sure has saved a lot of goals in this game, especially in this second half already. However, the HOME TEAM players aren’t missing the shins of the VISITING TEAM. The VISITING TEAM players are beginning to get all bruised up while the HOME TEAM only snarls and warns them that things could get worse if they don’t watch out.The Grandstands are as quiet as ever at this point. It doesn't seem like much is happening to get them up off their feet. It seems that some concern is setting in.

And then it happens.... Reed Condra is down. He has a bloody mouth and bloody nose. He just took a terrible elbow to the face. He was playing such a great game, too! But he has to go out of the game and sit on the sidelines. As the Coach takes a look at him, He smiles and thanks him for a game well played. Reed takes his place near Allan Snare who was injured before this game began and couldn't even get out on the field. Allan begged and begged the Coach to let him go and play anyway, but the Coach simply and calmly said “No.” There wasn’t even an explanation; just a plain, “No.” Two of the superstars are now on the sidelines injured. But they have taken their place with those who are praying. These are team players, for sure. Praise the Coach! Does He ever know what He is doing! Those two guys play almost as well from the bench, on their knees, as they do on the field. (In fact, a story is told of Reed getting down on his knees one time ON THE FIELD during the middle of an attack and stopping to pray. He didn’t pray long but when he got up, the enemy team was so shocked that Reed scored a goal and left them speechless and kicking themselves instead of the ball!) The Coach called the team captain, David Bennett, over to the sideline while play stopped to get Reed off the field. Few noticed it since all eyes were on Reed as he exited the field. David, with some words of counsel from the Coach, calls the other players over for a word of encouragement before the game resumes. Quickly he reminds the VISITING TEAM of those who went on before them in other games in other places. They too were beaten up, battered and bruised. Some were carried off the field with much pain. Others never were able to play the same again. But they prayed on the sidelines. Interesting thing: it often seems the Coach enjoys having certain players more off the field than on the field. Some players even died of their injuries and couldn’t stay to pray. But they now root in the Grandstands.

David also reminded the team of the score of those games and how they had all won their games though some were injured in some of them. Some actually played better with their injuries. They seemed to get more assists as they now had to share the ball with others more than before.As the game resumed, Craig Coffman, encouraged by the words of the team captain, quickly takes the ball and dribbles it down the field all by himself and scores. “GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!” goes up the cry from the Grandstands. As usual, the Apostle Paul cheers especially loud. Wow, does he have a strong voice… and lots of team spirit!11-0 for the VISITING TEAM... And there is more from where that came from!Soon others are scoring a second and third goal. The apostle Paul is on his feet. In fact, he hasn't sat down for the last 25 minutes of the game. Now here is a man who loves this game of Soul-winning. He cheers others on with more enthusiasm than he himself had for the game, and that’s saying something!
Soon the score is 29-0. But several others have had to go out of the game. The HOME TEAM has racked up several yellow cards and even a few red cards.

A funny, or rather, a strange thing has happened in this game. Two of the players who were hurt, Donna Condra and Robert Gunter, told the men who hurt them that they loved them and forgave them. And before long, to everyone's amazement, the red-carded offenders ran across the field and took their place on their knees with others on the VISITING TEAM! What a crazy scene! And to make matters more astounding, they found themselves being hugged by the very two players that they had put out of the game with their “rough play.”The goalie for the VISITING TEAM played a great game today. He took a lot of shots on the goal but defended them all. The goalie for the HOME TEAM played a great game as well, although the results don’t seem to show it. It wasn’t that he was a terrible goalie, but that the team he was playing against had an exceptional Coach and everyone on this team had some type of extraordinary power! How do you compete with that? This goalie didn’t have much of a chance, really.The game isn’t over yet but there are only 2 minutes to play. We are down to the end.

The outcome of the game now seems certain. But it has always been certain, ever since the Coach rose from a grave in what is considered one of the bloodiest games ever played.The Coach had told the captain, David Bennett, before the game that He wanted them to score 30 goals in this game. David almost told the Coach He was crazy but thought better of it. It looks like the Coach was almost on target with His prediction ....... but wait! Look, there goes Reed Condra back onto the field and races down the field with Bill Towner who has the ball and on another fast break they make the game C 30-0! Wow! What a goal that was. The goalie got a hand on the ball but the force of the kick was just too much and the ball spun over his outstretched hand and into the corner of the goal. AMAZING! Simply AMAZING!30-0 ... Who ever would have thought it!

The apostle Paul jumped up so high that he fell over Tychicus and onto Aquila who was sitting in front of him. Now there is Celestial popcorn all over the ground and in Aquila’s lap. But Paul gets up and goes on screaming with excitement. He is ecstatic. What a barn burner this has been C 30-0! What a game! Praise the Coach. To God be the Glory, great things He hath done!As the final seconds tick off the clock, the saints in the Grandstands have absolutely gone wild. And that’s the game, folks. The referee has blown the whistle. This game is over. The VISITING TEAM players all fall into each other’s arms with fatigue and joy. This is a game they will never forget. In fact, some of the players have been changed forever. Life will never be the same again.Several of them snatch a team flag from the sidelines and begin running around the stadium waving to the fans in the Grandstands. The apostle Paul and all his friends wave vigorously as the VISITING TEAM runs by their section of the stands. What a thrill for all.

Thirty goals have been scored. Players who started off playing on the OPPOSING TEAM are now on the sidelines with the AWAY TEAM, lifting up holy hands and praising God. Those who prayed and gave financially to make this game even possible are all encouraged by the results. Now they will all share in the rewards.As the players make their way over to the sidelines, they are all met by the Coach who smiles and says, “Well done, thou good and faithful player. Enter into the joy of your reward.”A trophy now waits in Heaven for each one… and a victor’s crown.
I Thessalonians 2:19
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

Written by David Bennett. Used by permission.