Saturday night went fantastically at the recently re-branded Xfinity arena in Everett, where motorcycles were racing endurocoss. The Lord was magnified, glorified and honored. Almost three hundred Gospel tracts were distributed and around two hundred people heard the good news preached while they were waiting in line. I had several hecklers, some good and some not so good; actually any heckling is a good indicator that the message is hitting home with someone.
Here's what I said...
Hi friends, my name is Keith. I have the Gospel message for you this evening.
First, by way of public service announcement, just a few statistics:
Between 2001 and 2008, more than 34,000 people were killed and 1,222,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents.
In 2011, over 4600 motorcyclists lost their lives in motorcycle accidents.
Personally, two separate times, my wife and I were the first to happen upon the scene of very severe motorcycle accidents. So I’ve seen first hand (and I’m sure many of you have too), what results when someone’s head, arm or leg has a high-speed impact with asphalt or concrete. It’s not pretty, and it’s heart wrenching to be the person to try to help someone who’s been severely injured in that kind of an accident. All that to say, if you’re going to ride, be safe, wear the appropriate safety gear; wear a helmet. Even though a helmet might be a little uncomfortable; even though it might slightly restrict your peripheral vision; it might even mess up your hair (which isn’t such a big deal for me), wear a helmet; protect your head. But even wearing a helmet, here are a few more statistics for you to consider:
Everyday, 150 to 160 thousand people on planet earth die.
That’s two people every second
Someday, one of those seconds will have your name on it, because 10 out of 10 people die.
The mortality rate for humanity is 100%
So the Bible mentions the helmet of salvation in Ephesians chapter 6. What it's saying is, salvation is to your soul, what a helmet is to your noggin. Salvation protects your life from God's wrath and justice and judgement, so you can receive mercy and grace and eternal life when your mortal flesh falls lifeless.
Its in Ephesians chapter 6, where Paul, speaking to followers of Jesus Christ, says these words… “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having put on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit...
That was the helmet of salvation...
Another important piece of safety equipment on a motorcycle is the headlight. And.. just like the bright beam of the headlight shows you what's ahead, the Bible says God's commandment is a lamp and the law of God is a light in Proverbs 6:23. God's law (the Ten Commandments) is meant to be like a headlight in our own lives, to show where us we're going. We can examine ourselves by shining the bright spotlight of the Ten Commandments into our own life and see where we stand with God. So let me ask you, would you consider yourself to be a good person? I can't answer that question for you, but I can ask you just four questions, based on the Ten Commandments. You don’t have to answer to me, answer to yourself and listen to your conscience.
The Ten Commandments
The Gospel
Repentance and Faith
New life
