Increase Runners Batted In: Encourage Others

SERMON SERIES:              “World Series of Stewardship”
SERMON TITLE:                 “Increase Runners Batted In:  Encourage Others”
SERMON TEXT:                  2 Corinthians 8:1-15
PREACHER:                         Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:                         October 21, 2018, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                Picture this.  It’s the middle of the bottom of the ninth inning.  Both teams have had trouble getting hits off the pitchers, and most of the innings of the game came up goose eggs.  The crowd was getting sleepy from lack of action, but after singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” they’ve livened up and are eager for some action.  But at this late stage of the game, your team is still two points behind, and you’re the player just now stepping into the batter’s box.  The bases are loaded; your teammates have already done their best to get themselves onto first, second, and third bases; and now they’re counting on you.  The pitcher is winding up, and the high-speed ball is coming toward you.  Will you bunt?  Hit a line drive into the distant outfield?  Smack a grounder between the bases?  Clobber it over the fence?  Whatever you do, you can’t let the inning end without a score.  Your team needs a morale boost.  They need some encouragement.  The pressure is on to increase RBIs, runners batted in.  
                I think that’s what the Apostle Paul was getting at in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 8, verses 1-15.  As we continue our World Series stewardship drive, let’s consider this scripture and how we can “Increase Runners Batted In” as we “Encourage Others.”

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