Anguilla’s Sports Week is being observed from Saturday, November 28th, to Saturday December 5th. To start the week of activities, several persons attached to the Department were hosted by the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, November 28th.
Brother Frankie Smith extended a cordial welcome to the group, and Pastor Horward Simon expressed how delighted he was to have them present at the service. He observed that they could have chosen to be assembled elsewhere, but insisted he was honoured that they had chosen the Seventh-day Adventist Church to worship on the Sabbath, and he heartily welcomed them on behalf of the church.
“We welcome you,” the Pastor said, “and we pray that God’s blessings, like a river, would overflow you today and every single day of your lives.” The church’s Hospitality Team, led by Sister Charmaine Rogers, presented each visitor with a bag containing items which symbolised the appreciation of the church.
The Pastor paid special recognition to the Honourable Premier, Dr. Ellis. L. Webster, who is himself a member of the Mount Fortune Church. He presented the Premier with a copy of the book “The Five Ps Approach to Excellent Preaching”. “This is a book on preaching,” he said, “and I challenge you to preach the everlasting gospel with your word, and with your life, as you lead this great territory of ours.” The Pastor took the opportunity to also present a copy of the book to Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley, Community Services Planner, in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, as well as to Sports Director, Mr. Andre Collins.
The Pastor’s sermon focused on several areas of sports which he claims to enjoy. In the realm of cricket he spoke extensively, and mimicked the radio commentary on the actions of Andy Roberts and Graham Gooch in the historic matches between the West Indies and England. He also alluded to sporting greats like basketball’s Michael Jordon and LeBron James; Tennis’ Serena Williams; and the world’s fastest, Usain Bolt. But, in addition, he stressed on the Apostle Paul of old, who, in the scriptures, highlighted the importance of winning at the most essential game — the game of life.
The text for the message was taken from 1 Corinthians 9:24 where Paul was speaking in the language of sports and games — advising the Corinthian Church how they could win at the game of living victorious, Godly lives. That scripture states: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain (win).”
Pastor Simon encouraged the congregation that, as believers, they must do all that lies within them — through faith in Christ — to run the race with diligence and play this most important game of life to win. “It’s important that when we are engaged in sports that we play to win,” he said. “Some folks may play just for fun, but in the game of salvation there is no time to play for fun. The Apostle Paul suggests that since this is the most important game, every person who is involved in playing it must be determined to win.”
He alluded to Jesus who once asked; “What shall it profit a man to gain (win) the whole world but lose his own soul?” Without any hesitation, he pointed out that the job of the devil is to cause us all to lose our souls in the game of life. “All those great sports characters,” he said, “have accomplished just about everything. They have won so much. But if they have won all their games and lose salvation, Jesus said they would have lost it all.”
“We must understand that we are in a great controversy!” the Pastor exclaimed. “There is one who is a loser! He was kicked out of heaven and he is trying today to cause us to lose! The Bible says, ‘Woe to the inhabitance of the earth because the devil has come down, and he knows that he has a short time.’ Satan has a short time to do what he has to do, and that is to make believers lose out on their salvation.”
He emphasised: “Though the devil may fight against you, Jesus is in your corner, and he fights for you. It is His will that you win in this great battle. But, the decision is yours. You must make up your mind to fight to win.” Upon that note, he stressed the importance of being temperate and disciplined in playing the game of life. “Moreover, we should not play selfishly,” he admonished, “but we should be considerate enough to help others to win while we play.”
At the end of the service, Mr. Andre Collins, the Director of Sports, spoke on behalf of his Department, expressing appreciation for the inspiring sermon. He recognised his key “players” — officials of the Department — and, in turn, presented Pastor Simon with a token of appreciation on behalf of the Department of Sports.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
