T-Ball as a Metaphor for Life
Before I had kids, I always thought I’d make a great little league coach. I thought: I like sports, I’ll enjoy teaching my sons how to play baseball.
But then my boys came along, and I found that wasn’t so true.
I started to figure this out when Austin was 7 and playing T-ball. The thing was, it wasn’t really T-ball. It was more of a big participation event where we played something resembling baseball. Since we wanted the kids to learn to hit a moving ball, we didn't actually use a T, but the coaches took turns pitching to them. Since they couldn't hit the ball very well, we didn't keep track of balls or strikes. Since we wanted everyone to get an equal number of turns, we didn't keep track of outs but kept batting until everyone had a chance. And, since we didn't really want anybody's feelings hurt, we didn't keep score.
We tried our hardest to make sure that at the end of the day, everyone was a winner.
See, I think that’s where things went off the rails for me. I’m just too competitive for a “sports” activity where no score is kept. It was hard for me to coach a game where 8 kids were all chasing after a ball hit to right field or where it is okay if all the runners want to gather at second base. I found out that I do better as a fan, and leave the coaching to somebody else.
Now, I get it. They’re little kids. They’re having fun. They shouldn’t have to worry about winning or losing. That works for little kids learning baseball.
But that's not the way life really works.
And yet, when it comes to the really important things--like what happens to us after we die--I'm afraid a lot of people think it is going to be just like T-ball: God's going to give
second chances; God's not going to keep score; in the end, everyone's going to win.
Is that how it goes? Is that how you think it goes? In the end, is life just like a big game of T-ball where we all end up the same? Nobody keeps score, let's go get ice cream?
Like I said, a lot of people look at the world that way. God is a loving god, so the thinking goes, and he doesn't want anyone to be left out, so everyone is going to end up in heaven in the end. It doesn't really matter how you live in this life--or what you believe--because people are basically good and god is a jolly sort and we're all going to end up in a "better place." Just listen to the way celebrities talk about dead friends. It doesn't matter how notorious they were when they were alive, if they're dead, they're "probably looking down on us now."
The big words for this are "universalism" and "pluralism". Salvation is going to be universal—everybody is saved-- and there are multiple—that is, plural--ways to God.
But is that accurate? Maybe some of you have a tendency to think that way: "Everyone's going to heaven." It's a popular idea. It's probably a core belief of a majority of Americans. But we have to ask, "Is it true?"
Just because an idea is popular, that doesn't make it right. It is a dangerous thing to live your life according to ideas that are false.
And this is an issue that gets right to the heart of how we live our lives as followers of Christ.
If you were to ask me, I’d say the main point of this book that we’re reading—Radical—is that Jesus is calling us to join Him on His mission to the world. Christianity is not just about you and Jesus, it’s not just a question of having your personal ticket stamped for heaven. Rather, when you become a follower of Christ He is calling to you to a lifestyle of radical sacrifice and obedience that is lived—in large part—with the intention of helping others to come to know and believe in Him.
But here’s the thing—if you believe that everybody is going to heaven anyway, if you think life is a big T-Ball game where everybody wins in the end—then there is really no reason to spend your life for the sake of the gospel. There’s no urgency. It’s not a big deal. Those who don’t know Jesus will be fine in the end.
But—BUT!—if it is true that Jesus is the only way to the Father—if it is true that people are destined for Hell unless they believe in the blood-bought grace earned for us at the cross—if people are really lost for eternity without the gospel—then we ought to be doing everything we can to help spread the good news of Jesus.
I think that’s the point of our Bible passage today. Our text is Acts 4:1-12. I invite you to turn there in your Bibles, or follow along on the screen. Acts 4:1-12:
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
By the Name of Jesus Christ
Let me give you a little context for this story. At the beginning of Acts 3, Peter and John—2 of Jesus’ closest followers--were on their way to the temple when they were stopped by a man who had been crippled from birth. Peter didn't have any money, but what he had, he gave. And in the name of Jesus Christ the man's feet and ankles were healed and he could walk and run and jump.
This, of course, was an amazing miracle, and a large crowd gathered to figure out what had happened. Peter seized the opportunity and explained that he and John had not healed the man, but Jesus had. From there, he went on to preach the message of the gospel.
Apparently, the Holy Spirit granted this preaching great success. Verse 4 of our text tells us that "the number of men [who believed in Jesus] grew to about five thousand." At last report (Acts 2:41) the size of the church was around 3000 people, so about 2000 more put their faith in Jesus that day.
But, of course, preaching and growth like this is bound to attract some attention. The "priests and the captain of the temple guard"--some of the same people who had helped to have Jesus lynched--along with the "Sadducees"--a group of snooty religious liberals who didn't believe in life after death (that's why they were sad, you see)--came and pulled Peter and John out of the crowd in order to shut them up.
They were upset over a number of things. They couldn't stand that Peter and John were teaching with such great success--that was supposed to be their job. They didn't appreciate that they were talking about resurrection from the dead--especially since many of them did not believe in such a thing. And they were especially disturbed that they were saying such a resurrection was possible through Jesus--a man they had thought to never hear of again after they killed Him.
And so, they seized the two apostles and trundled them off to jail.
Now, this is an important moment in the book of Acts, and in the history of the church. This is the beginning of a persecution Jesus promised would come (John 15:18-20, et al). The message of Christianity is not popular with those in positions of authority. It is a call to exclusive devotion to Jesus Christ which leaves their notions of power and grandeur out in the cold. When the gospel is proclaimed without compromise--as Peter and John proclaimed it--it is bound to meet with resistance.
So, after cooling their heels for a night in the stockade, Peter and John are brought before a "who's who" list of Jerusalem authorities. The "rulers, elders and teachers of the law" are there. Even Caiaphas, the old High Priest who kicked off plans for Jesus' death, is in attendance. They all sit in judgment of Peter and John and ask them: "How, exactly, did you do this?"
I think it is interesting that they ask about the miracle. In verse 2 we were told that they arrested them for what they were teaching, but now they focus in on this lame man who can walk. Apparently they realized that what had happened to the beggar and what Peter was preaching on the Portico were unavoidably linked.
And, if they didn't realize it, Peter is going to be sure to point it out to them. Verses 8-10:
Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but who God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
In other words, "If you're going to arrest us for being kind, then you guys need to lighten up. But that's not why you arrested us, you arrested us for teaching about Jesus Christ, so let me tell you about Him."
Notice, Peter doesn't pull any punches. He makes sure they know that he is talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the same Jesus they put to death just a few months earlier, the one whom God had vindicated by raising Him from the dead. He gets up in front of all these politicians and priests--who can have him killed if they want to--and he says: "You were wrong. You got Jesus all wrong."
In fact, he even has a Bible verse for them, Psalm 118:22:
He [Jesus] is: 'The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'
He says to the authorities, "You guys are like a bunch of builders (the word "you" doesn't appear in the OT, Peter put that in) who got your order from Home Depot and found one stone that just didn't fit. You thought it was the wrong shape, the wrong size, the wrong color, whatever. So you tried to send it back. You got all in a huff with the customer relations department. But then God--the architect--came along and pointed out that the stone was exactly what He wanted. In fact, it was not a useless stone, but the most important stone in the project--the capstone. It was shaped and sized and colored the way it was because it was going to go right in the center of the arch and hold the whole thing together. That's Jesus," Peter is saying. "You authorities may have rejected Him, but He is precisely what God wanted."
Then Peter throws down the gauntlet, and makes it clear that they have to deal with Jesus Christ. Verse 12:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Here's the key verse in the passage, and the answer to our question. Is life like a great big T-Ball game, where everyone wins? Unequivocally, "NO!" Follow Jesus Christ, or you lose. There is salvation found in no one else. Jesus is plan A. There is no plan B.
There is no other name under heaven--in the whole world--given to men by which they can be saved.
You must follow Jesus. There is no other hope.
You must follow Jesus. There is no other life.
You must follow Jesus. There is no other way to God.
There is a resurrection from the dead, there is a promise of something great after death, there is salvation from the punishment of sin and release from the suffering and trials of this life, but it is found in Jesus and no one else. Jesus is the only way. He is the only way to be saved.
No Other Way
This is a pretty bold statement, and it is a big claim. Peter is making it clear that no religious system, no list of rules and regulations, no brand of psychology, nothing offers any hope in this world, except Jesus Christ.
It didn't sit too well with the Jewish authorities. Their first reaction is astonishment (v. 13) and their eventual reaction is going to be hatred. It won't be too long before people start dying for believing in Jesus Christ (see 7:54-60).
Neither is it a well received claim today. We're supposed to appreciate and celebrate different points of view. Claiming that Jesus is the only way to God is considered "close-minded" or "intolerant." We're supposed to assume that people who are sincere in their beliefs--whatever those beliefs are--are sure to be in good standing with God. We're not supposed to tell anybody else that they need to believe in Jesus. It just isn't nice.
But the Bible doesn't think that way. It is very clear. "There is salvation found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Jesus Himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)."
It doesn't matter if you're a conscientious Muslim who prays five times a day and eats all the right foods. It doesn't matter if you're an enlightened Buddhist who is "at one" with nature. It doesn't even matter if you are a regular church-goer who never misses a sermon. If you do not trust in Jesus Christ, you cannot be saved.
It doesn't matter if you're a great guy who's generous to his friends and gives lots of money to charity. It doesn't matter if you're a nice lady who reads "Chicken Soup for the Soul" and is always trying to think good thoughts. It doesn't matter if you follow Dr. Phil's recommendations for "getting real" or Oprah's advice for "living your best life". If you do not trust in Jesus Christ, you are not going to come to the Father.
It doesn't matter if you "try to be your best." It doesn't matter if you don't cheat on your spouse or your taxes. It doesn't matter if you lead a better life than the guy down the street. Jesus is the only way.
Does that sound harsh? Does it sound too "narrow-minded"? Well, it's what Jesus said. It's what God says.
The Mack Truck
Think of it this way. If your 3-year-old child were playing outside your house, and wondered onto the road to get his ball at the same time that a very large 18-wheeler, Mack Truck was speeding toward him, what would you do?
Would you encourage him to choose his own course of action?
Would you want him to do the best job of getting the ball back that he could possibly do?
Would you tell him to ignore the truck and pretend it wasn't there?
Or would you scream at him to GET OFF THE ROAD!!?
There's only one thing to do in situation like that. Only one way for your child to be safe. Get him off the road any way you can. Fast.
Well, life is a lot like that. We are all going to die someday. We're all going to face judgment. It’s speeding toward us like a big ‘ol Mack truck. And God wants us all to know that the only way we can be safe is Jesus Christ.
That's not harsh. That's not "narrow-minded." That's the truth.
Application
I see two immediate applications to this message—two things this story from Acts is crying out for us to do:
First, Trust in Him. Trust Him. But your faith and hope in Jesus Christ. He is the only way to be saved. There is no other name.
Maybe you are counting on God to treat life like a big T-Ball game. Maybe you figure, in the end, God’s going to let everybody in. If that is what you believe, then you are not in keeping with the Bible. It’s a nice sentiment, it seems hopeful, but it does not line up with what the Bible teaches.
If you haven't put your wholehearted trust in Jesus before today, I urge you not to wait another moment. Get out of the way of that Mack truck.
Then, second: Tell of Him. Tell of Him. If you do trust in Jesus for your salvation, do you see how important it is that you join Him in sharing the gospel with the world? Do you see why this radical call to obedience and sacrifice for the sake of telling others about Him is so important? Because if people do not believe in Jesus, then there is no way for them to be saved.
If there's no other way, then that means your children must believe in Jesus or they are lost. If there's no other way, then that means you friends and co-workers must believe in Jesus or they are lost. If there's no other way, than that means the Muslims of North Africa and the tribesman of East Africa and the people in Russia and China and South America and all around the world must believe in Jesus or they are lost.
This is motivation to invest in the advance of the gospel. This is motivation to do more than just come to church on Sunday morning, but to wholeheartedly throw yourself into God’s mission to the world.
Here’s how David Platt puts it, in chapter 7 of Radical:
More than 4.5 billion people in the world today are without Christ. If this fact were not serious enough, more than a billion of these people have never even heard the gospel. So what happens to them when they die? This is one of the most important questions facing Christians in America today. If people will go to heaven simply based on their native religious preferences, then there is no urgency for any of us to go to them. But if they will not go to heaven because they have never heard of Christ, then there is indescribable urgency for all of us to go to them. If people are dying and going to hell without ever knowing there is a gospel, then we clearly have no time to waste our lives on an American dream. (142-143)
There is no other hope. No other life. Jesus is the way, the only way, and we must spread His name far and wide.
We Cannot Help Speaking
Finally, let me take you back to Acts 4. John and Peter are on trial. They’re being questioned about a miracle and clearly they’re being threatened for preaching about Jesus. But that doesn’t stop them, they stand up and boldly proclaim that Jesus is the only way to God.
So then these elders and rulers huddle together and try to decide what to do. They can’t stand the message they’re preaching, but they can’t deny the miraculous healing of the cripple standing right in front of them.
So they bring Peter and John back, and they tell them they are free to go, but they have to stop with the Jesus talk. Verse 18:
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
It’s a not so veiled threat. You can go this time, but keep mentioning Jesus, and we won’t be so lenient the next time. And here’s Peter and John’s reply:
19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
“We cannot help speaking”. Even the threats of the highest court in the land weren’t enough for Peter and John to be silent. Jesus is the only way to God. They could not, would not, keep that a secret.
“We cannot help speaking.” That was their rallying cry. What about us?