Prepper Church Service: Be a Pinch Hitter
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to Prepper Church. Today, we explore the theme of answering God's call and the consequences of our responses. Through Scripture and cultural references, we'll see how God's plans unfold, even when His first choice declines His call.
Major League Baseball held it's opening day this year on March 27. Baseball is full of life lessons. Today we learn about the Pinch Hitter -- a player who is called to bat in place of a teammate at a critical point in the game.
You might be called to "pinch it" for someone else... someone more talented than you, someone more connected than you, someone stronger or smarter or better looking than you. When God calls, being willing and available is more important than being the best.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for gathering us today. Open our hearts to Your Word and help us understand the importance of heeding Your call. May we be attentive and willing servants in Your divine plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Reading
1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NIV)
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine."
Music
Message: "Answering the Call"
A. Biblical Example: David and Goliath
In 1 Samuel 17, the Israelites faced the Philistine giant, Goliath. Despite being seasoned warriors, none dared to confront him. It was David, a young shepherd, who stepped forward, trusting in God's deliverance. His willingness to answer God's call led to a monumental victory for Israel.
B. Modern Parallel: "Night Court" Episode
Video Link: Night Court (start 2:26, end at 3:09)
In an episode of Night Court, Judge Harold T. Stone explains how he got appointed to the bench:
It was a particularly zany story for the episode, and at one point Assistant District Attorney Dan Fielding takes the time to directly ask the simple question: "How? How did you get appointed to the bench?"
Judge Stone responds: "You know, Dan, that's a funny story." He then tells the tale.
“It was the mayor's last day in office, and it was a Sunday. My name was at the bottom of a list of a thousand candidates. They started calling folks from the top of the list, but since it was Sunday, no one was home. Finally, they got down to the bottom of the list, and voilà.”
To which Court Clerk Lana Wagner asks, “You mean you were appointed a judge because…?”
Judge Stone responds: "I was home.”
The lesson here? Although a qualified candidate, Judge Stone did not stand out with any special credentials or connections—he was just available when no one else was.
C. Reflection: Are We Ready to Answer?
God's call may come at unexpected times and in unforeseen ways. The question is, are we prepared to respond? Like David, do we trust in God's strength over our own? Or do we, like the absent candidates, miss the opportunity because we're not attentive or willing?
Conclusion: Embracing God's Call
God's plans will unfold with or without our participation. However, the blessing lies in our willingness to be part of His divine work. Let's strive to be like David, ready and willing to step forward in faith when God calls.
Closing Prayer
Lord, help us to be ready when You call. Let us not wait for perfection or comfort, but say yes in faith. We are grateful that Jesus became the Ultimate Pinch Hitter for us, taking our place so that we may join You in victory. Guide us to step up when it's our time. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Local Group Discussion and Fellowship
- Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to a task. How did you respond?
- What barriers prevent us from answering God's call, and how can we overcome them?
- How can we cultivate a heart that is ready and willing to respond to God's invitations?
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