2 Corinthians 3:7-18 - Be a Good Coach

A good hockey coach knows the importance of the balance of encouragement, admonition, approbation, and challenge.  Jesus is the Master Mentor and Master Coach.  He sent his disciples out two by two, teaching them to rely on God.  And He sends us out into our communities now, giving us everything we need for success so that more and more people will know and receive God’s grace.

The message of this passage is not doom and gloom.  Instead, we ought to live with confidence because God is victorious and his glory will increase until he returns.

Take a new grip on your stick today.  Get on the ice and finish your checks.  Play smart.  Play clean.  Stay out of the sin bin.  Make smart decisions in every zone.  Don’t turn the puck over; if you do, dig in and regain possession.  And don’t be selfish; no gliding.  When your legs are spent, get off the ice, and let’s get fresh blood out there.  Short shifts, boys.  Hard shifts.

Hockey’s a good game, a manly game, done well.  Like all things, a useless pursuit, done poorly.  Just like life.

And here we hear Coach Paul challenging the Saints.  He challenges each minister of the new covenant of Jesus Christ to know and show the importance of our ministry.  Dump the puck in.  Create turnovers; put the puck to the net, and get goals - even ugly goals.  They all count.  And work like a jackhammer on defence.  Games are won by self-control and keeping the puck out of our net.  Never underestimate our opponents; stay ahead of Satan’s schemes.  

Ok, sorry for the hockey talk.  Hopefully, you get the point.  God knows the extent of our ministry.  He’s watching our play.  He expects us to humbly work, to not think we are greater than we are.  Our best ministry opportunities are just feet away - not on the other side of the world, nay, on the other side of the room.  Let’s start there.

        Are you washing the feet of your wife today, at least metaphorically?  Serve her well.  Pray for her today.  Be the godly man that she and God expect you to be.  May we be husbands that bring out the best in our wives.  May our wives be confident in Christ, more and more beautiful each day with godly beauty, more genuine, more content, and more in love with Jesus.  I pray that I can be that kind of husband.  A servant leader and a blessing to my wife and all of my family.  I know you will be as well.  And for my sons, my daughter, and my grandchildren.  So many opportunities to lead and serve well.  Let’s start with our families and walk the walk at home before anything.  And let’s ensure that our churches are led by men who show by what they do that their families put God first.  Insist on it.

Many claim to be evangelists and famed speakers.  They put on conferences.  But they shipwreck their lives with a love of money, fame, pride, and possessions.  Not to mention power and position.  God forbid that be us.  May we not shipwreck our faith and the faith of those we are entrusted to disciple.

You can tell a tree by its fruit.  The good news is that God is merciful and full of grace - as this letter from Paul makes clear.  Today is a new day of repentance and reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no forgiveness, understanding, rebirth, or life change without turning to and believing in Jesus Christ.  He’s the beginning and the end.  When we turn to the Almighty King he takes away the cover over our eyes and enables us to see reality.  As His Saints we are truly free.  Free to make good and bad decisions.  Free to be free of sin and greed and temptation.  We are free to show how the Spirit controls our lives and leads us.  

Lord Jesus, please lead me today in thought and deed.  Please keep me pure in what I think and do.  Help me to minister well to my wife, my family, and my friends.  Help me to see a need and act on it.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.

Swift Current Broncos, WHL, 1989-90 (I was traded from the Spokane Chiefs to Swift mid-year)