by Rev. Flip Benham
January 10, 2012
No matter who wins next week’s football game against the New England Patriots, we can be sure that Tim Tebow will drive a stake (the Gospel Truth) right into the heart of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We know for certain that God will be glorified no matter who wins. That victory will come right out of Tim’s mouth. The world wants him to “shut-up.” His own flesh demands that he temper his speech – it’s scary to speak like Tim. The devil is doing everything to terrify and intimidate him: “You’re going to fail…you don’t have the skills…pray in your closet like the Word of God says.” Yet Tim continues to wield God’s Word for all to hear.
Let’s face it, Tim has done more to spread the true gospel of Christ across this land and throughout the world than all of our mega-churches put together. Do you know why? Long before he was given this platform to proclaim Christ, he was faithful in the little things he was given to do, just as David was faithful in shepherding those few sheep his father had given him to care for.
“He chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72.
If you are faithful in the little things, you will be an instrument God can use in the big things. As a young boy, David killed a Philistine giant and champion Goliath. This was the same giant that terrified King Saul and all of Israel and caused them to hide in caves rather than fight. This little shepherd boy did the impossible and all of Israel was talking about him. Though his way was rough and his companions few, this little shepherd boy eventually became a great king. Tim Tebow didn’t just happen. He was brought through God’s refining fire.
King David shepherded God’s people with integrity of heart, because he had first learned how to shepherd his father’s lambs in the field when no one was watching. When the lion or the bear came and carried off one of his father’s lambs, David went after it, struck it, killed it, and rescued the lamb (1 Sam 17: 32-37). Note: the lion and the bear were not coming after David, they just wanted lunch. But David considered his life as nothing to rescue those who could not defend themselves. This kind of mettle and steely character does not just happen.
The world hates guys like this and will do all it can to make them look like educationally deprived, Psalm singing, Jesus freaks, who lean on a myth named Jesus. Like David before him, Tim Tebow is a young man with integrity of heart who has learned how to lay his life down (daily) that Christ might be glorified in him – win or lose. For Tim, it is not about wins and losses, it is about“Let[ting] your light so shine before men that they might see your good works and give praise to your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
What? Not concerned about wins and losses? Yep, there is something greater in life than winning football games. Incomprehensible!
Has any pastor let the light of the gospel of Christ shine through him any brighter than Tim Tebow has in these days? Several pastors have told me that they believe in Tim’s message, but believe he has gone way off the chart in his “jesus, Jesus, JESUS” method of presenting the gospel. He needs to tone it down and be more like Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers who is a Christian, but not so pushy and judgmental.
You know, it wasn’t until they told me that Aaron Rodgers was a Christian, that I found out that he was. Why is that? Because Aaron Rodgers has never mentioned the name of Jesus in my hearing, and I have seen alot of him on television. Aaron has not used the incredible platform God has given him to glorify Christ and give Him praise. Why not? I suppose the world got a hold of him and told him to shut-up. His own flesh screamed, “They’ll call you a Jesus freak!” And the devil (that false giant) boasted, “You do it, you die!”
Yes, the world, the flesh, and the devil hate Tim Tebow and, surprisingly, so does the skinny jean, milquetoast, lukewarm church of today. Why? Because Tim Tebow has become a “living parable” and rebuke to all of us. God is painting a very graphic picture of what a real Christian should be and do. When words fail God speaks to us in parables so that we may see pictures of what He has in mind. Tim Tebow is that “living parable.”
You know what? Compared to Tim Tebow, I have been weighed in the scales and found wanting.
Tim Tebow’s parents have honored their marriage covenant before God. So much for divorce and the idea that we no longer need the institution of marriage.
Tim Tebow’s mother was told to abort him or she would die. She chose life so that Timmy might live. He lived, thank God, and so did she. So much for abortion.
Tim Tebow is a virgin. Can you imagine the disdain of the NFL and the world? So much for premarital sex, homosexual sex, or any sex outside of marriage.
Tim Tebow has a father. Tim’s dad built biblical principles into the life of his son and disciplined him to be a man trained for the gospel battle. So much for the idea that women don’t need fathers to raise children.
Tim Tebow has a family. That means a mom and dad, two brothers and two sisters. So much for the idea of one kid or no kids. So much for two dads, or two moms, or multiple moms.
Tim Tebow has a mission. It is to bring glory to God. This is the big thing. So much for winning and losing football games. These are little things.
Football games are, indeed, little things. But, notice to the New England Patriots, Tim has trained himself that to be faithful in the little is to be faithful in much. Watch out!