From the Pulpit

I’ve wondered for a long time what the following two Bible verses meant. God showed me the answer in an unusual place.

•“For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance” (Matthew 25:29).

•“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b).

 I had the privilege of attending the All Sports Association 40th annual Trophy Awards Dinner Friday evening, Feb. 20. Talk about excitement, fun, lots of testosterone (and estrogen) and legends and heroes filling the Emerald Coast Conference Center!

Tim Tebow was in town to receive the Wuerffel trophy for community service with athletic and academic achievement. Of course, he was the attraction of the evening. It was hard to get close to him.

Even though there was lots of fun with the auction of items like a Heisman Football from December 2008 autographed by winner Sam Bradford and 21 former Heisman winners, and a Superbowl 40 and 43 football and Steelers helmet both autographed by Ben Roethlisberger, and two tickets to the Live Heisman Announcement on ESPN this December in New York City and two tickets to the VIP Reception and Dinner at the Hilton (some of these items went for more than $5,000), it felt more like a church service than an auction.

Danny Wuerffel started it off, speaking truth from the Word as he presented his trophy to Tim. Walton High School Scholastic Award winner, Betsy Stevenson, volleyball and basketball athlete, came to the podium and with confidence, thanked many, including Jesus Christ her Savior, and quoted Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” Glen Coffee, Alabama’s standout running back from Fort Walton Beach, sent a video and his brother to accept his award. Both extolled Jesus as the most important part of Glen’s life.

Then Mr. Tebow spoke.

For everyone who has will be given more. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.
Talent, charisma, ability to run and pass, leadership, passion, godly parents, good looks — you name it, Tebow’s got it. All gifts from God. And he acknowledges that!

He concluded his inspiring speech about “finishing” (not giving up, doing your best till the clock says 00:00) as when he did to win the National Championship and received a hug from Coach Meyer, saying, “It’s not a hug from my coach that I ultimately look forward to, but a hug from Jesus Christ as I enter heaven when He says to me:  ‘I’m proud of you, Timmy. You finished!’”

Athletes and wannabees in the audience drenched in the gospel. Testosterone meets Truth. Auction forgotten for a moment; adoration of the King given. It wasn’t about Tebow, but Jesus!

No matter what this year brings on the gridiron for Gator No. 15, I know that God has big things in store for him.

More opportunities will be given him because he has been faithful. He’s been given much by God and Tebow has given it back. I can say the same for Danny Wuerffel, my friend and Tebow’s mentor. Because of his faithfulness, boldness and sacrifice through the years, God has now, through fellow Heisman and National Championship winner Tebow and their connection, made it possible for them to reach more people for Jesus — together. Danny’s been given more because he’s been found faithful!

Not many of us have a platform like these Florida champions, but if you do, can God trust you with even more? Are we, with one-on-one platforms, faithful with the “much given to us” so God can give us more? Are we giving the “much” away?

I want to be entrusted by God with more. O Heavenly Friend, keep me faithful and bold for You!

Paul W. Kummer has been pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Destin for 19 years. He can be reached at pastorpaul@gracedestin.com