60-Second Sermon

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In 1915, Wally Pipp began playing baseball for the New York Yankees. He is considered one of the best power hitters of his era, and he led the American League in home runs in 1916 and 1917.

Before a ballgame a few years later, he complained to his manager about having a headache and asked to be replaced at first base for the game.

The manager obliged, replacing him with a young, unproven player who had only been in the league a little over a year. The new player took advantage of his opportunity, playing first base for the Yankees every game for the next 13+ seasons and 2,130 games, earning Lou Gehrig, the substitute player, his nickname of “The Iron Horse.” 

In Colossians, Paul encourages us to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (4:5-6)

Lou Gehrig was ready when his moment arrived. This week, God will give you an opportunity to glorify Him. He will also give you the choice to ignore the opportunity or to allow yourself to be used for His glory. Will you be ready when the opportunity arises?

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What could you do in 12 seconds? Two brothers spent many years and almost all of their money, just for 12 seconds. In 1903, that’s all the time it took for the Wright brothers to revolutionize the transportation industry and do what no one thought was possible.

In Ephesians, we are told to “be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.” (5:15-16)

12 seconds … that’s how long the Wright brothers stayed in the air for the first plane flight. They found a remote area in North Carolina for two specific reasons … 1) it was deserted and no one would be around if they failed; and 2) it was sandy, so if the plane crashed, they thought they’d have a better chance of survival.

But not only did they succeed, they achieved 12 of the most famous seconds in history … all because of the faith they had in their invention.

When you think about the seconds and minutes in your life, how much time are you spending wisely? How much time do you wish you had back? Spend time investing eternally by reading your Bible and praying before God. Set aside time everyday to grow spiritually. It will certainly be time well spent. 

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The cavity magnetron revolutionized World War II by producing electromagnetic waves of a short enough wavelength to be used at military radar installations. Like many wartime inventions, however, no one knew what to do with the device once peace was established. 

Percy Spencer, an American engineer, walked by a discarded radar set in 1945 and was shocked when he felt a chocolate bar in his pocket melt almost immediately. And like some of us, he also had an egg explode in his face after placing it in front of the device. Shortly thereafter, Spencer realized he discovered a new use for the radar set, and began mass-producing it for the public under its new name … the microwave oven.

Proverbs 2 says “If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:1-6)

Having a “microwave mentality” with regard to our food is one thing, but there isn’t a quick-fix solution to deepening our relationship with God. We can freely accept the redemption Jesus offers, but being a true disciple of Christ carries with it the implication that we are devoted to Him, with our time, with our resources, and with our lives. It’s not always easy, but it’s what’s expected of us as we grow closer to God.

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TRANSCRIPT:

In the late 1800s, cloth was expensive, and a walk through a puddle often meant the ruination of a man’s pants. On the way to an English wedding after a rainstorm, one man decided to roll up the bottom of his pants to prevent the legs from getting wet and ruined. 

The American guests at the wedding saw the rolled-up bottoms of the pantlegs and assumed it was the latest English trend, leading them to wear their pants in the same fashion when they came home, and revolutionizing the pants industry forever.

In Ephesians, we are encouraged to “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

We, as Christians, are held to a higher standard since we are servants of the living God. Our actions matter, and people are always watching, whether or not we realize it. Set the example for them by living lives of service and love, and showing thankfulness for all that Jesus has done for you.

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James Shields was the Illinois state auditor, and he was fed up with reading the satirical articles written at his expense by a representative in the Illinois state legislature. 

The author refused to retract his statements, and both men determined that the best course of action would be to fight in a duel. Just before they embarked in battle, the representative’s assistant convinced him to retract his articles, and the two would-be duelers stepped down in peace.

Shields, the state auditor, went on to serve as a senator and army general, and the representative whose articles almost changed the course of a country, went on to become the 16th president of the United States, none other than Abraham Lincoln.  

Paul tells us that “if someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18 ERV)

It’s easy to get offended and hold grudges, but we are called to show the love of Christ by doing all we can to live at peace with others and to take the first step toward reconciliation. You never know what kind of eternal impact it might have.

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Last week, someone told me about their favorite state park, and what made it so special to them.

In their opinion, it wasn’t just the 696 acres of the park that made it great. Nor was it watching the sunset over the 26-acre lake. It wasn’t the cozy and rustic cabins on the property, nor the roaring fires in the fireplaces.

What made it so special in this person’s mind was the thing that connected all of the amenities at the park … nothing. Or more specifically, that you didn’t have to do anything at all. You could sit and relax and do nothing.

Jesus knew the importance of quiet time with God. Mark tells us that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed,” (Mark 1:35) and Luke tells us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

When was the last time you went to a solitary place and prayed? How often to you do nothing but sit in the presence of God? As we go through our daily, busy lives, don’t forget the importance of rest, and quiet time with God. 

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The twin brothers were put up for adoption by their parents, and for 40 years, they grew up without knowing any details about each other. One day, James decided to find out all he could about the brother he never knew.

After a lengthy search, James discovered some amazing details about his twin brother. Even though the adoptive families never met, James’ brother’s family had also named their son James. Both brothers entered into law enforcement, and both discovered they were talented in carpentry. Both married women named Betty and each one had a son named James Allen. And if that wasn’t enough, both brothers owned a dog named Toy.

Two brothers raised two worlds apart, but still with so much in common.

Paul encourages us that “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) 

We may come from completely different backgrounds, sometimes it seems like totally different worlds, but we all have this in common … we need a Savior and we are lost without Jesus.

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Major James Nesmeth was an avid golfer, but he was also a POW during the Vietnam War. He didn’t let the confinements of his situation affect his hobby, however, as he would visualize himself playing 18 holes of golf each day, walking around his small cell, swinging an imaginary club, and watching a ball that only he could see soar into the distance. 

When he was rescued many years later, he once again took up the hobby he loved, this time playing actual rounds of golf instead of the imaginary ones he had visualized.

To his surprise, despite being trapped in a small cell and not picking up a club during his imprisonment, he found that his scores actually were lower after his release than they were before he was captured … all because of the time he spent mentally working on his game.

In Philippians (4:8), we are told: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Our thoughts are powerful. Spend time training your mind. Read the Word of God. Spend time in prayer and meditation. And think thoughts that please God.

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As Ranji walked through the Indian elephant camp, he was amazed at the size of the elephants and their tusks, but even more amazed that there were no cages or fences keeping them in place. Instead, each elephant had a tiny rope tied around its ankle and attached to a small stake in the ground.

Astounded, he asked the elephant keeper why they didn’t simply walk away from the camp. The keeper informed him that a small rope was tied around the elephants’ leg when they were small, and as they grew into adults, they never questioned whether they would be able to break the rope.

Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11) relayed the following words from God to the Babylonian exiles, but they apply to us today: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Many times, we have predetermined ideas of who we are and what we can do, focusing on our faults, our weaknesses, our shortcomings. But God sees in us the things that he can accomplish. Don’t allow yourself to be tied down by the ropes of insecurity … God can work great things through you.

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The couple enjoyed going to yard sales together, and in the summer of 2007 they happened upon a small non-descript white bowl they both liked. It was only five inches in diameter, but they both agreed that the $3 price tag made it a worthwhile addition to their mantle.

It wasn’t until six years later that they decided that maybe there was more to the bowl than they originally thought, so they decided to have it appraised. Needless to say, they were shocked to find out that the bowl was over 1,000 years old, one of only two Chinese Song Dynasty bowls in existence, and that it would eventually sell for $2.2 million to an art collector.

Peter tells us in 1 Peter that "you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ."

Your value to God can’t be measured by auction houses, or numbers of followers, or the opinions of others; and unlike the yard sale bowl, the discovery of your worth is not an accident. God created you for a purpose, and He loves you immensely. 

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