1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.                           
Romans 10:1-4

Intro:  In life’s baseball game the umpire is God.  His Word is final.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.   2 Corinthians 5:10

 1st base -   Salvation

2nd base - Baptism and church membership

3rd base -  Christian service

Home plate - Heaven

 1. 1st Base - Salvation

 1.  First step in baseball is hit the ball and get to 1st base.

            First step in Christian life is Salvation.  There is no

            christian life without it. That’s the beginning!

 2.  The burning desire in Paul’s life was for ALL to be saved. 

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,                     Romans 10:1

 3.      Salvation is a knowable experience

4.      These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.                                                               1 John 5:13

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.       2 Timothy 1:12

 4. Salvation is as simple as A-B-C

        A - Admit that you are a sinner

 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Romans 3:23

 B - Believe on Christ

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.                                                        John 3:16

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

John 1:12

  C - Confess Christ

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.                   Romans 10:9

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.          Matthew 10:32-33

2. 2nd Base - Baptism & Church Membership

 1.  Become active for the Lord where your influence really counts.

2. Too many people cut across the pitcher’s mound to 2nd base without going to 1st base.

3.  Many names on the church roll but not on the Lamb’s book of life.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.                      Revelation 20:15

4. Baptism is not essential to salvation, BUT

            Salvation is essential to baptism.

5.  Salvation is a personal experience based on a personal             choice. (infant baptism - baby doesn’t understand, hasn’t made a choice)

6.  I love Jesus, but don’t have time for the church.

            “I love to play baseball, but I don’t like the diamond.”

            “I love to swim, but really don’t like water.”

3. 3rd Base - Christian Service (ministry)

1.  Some people receive Christ, then baptized, but get to 3rd base and sit down on the bag!

2.  “Rocking Chair Christians.”  (Monday quarterbacks)

3.  “Let your light so shine and glorify your father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16  (availability)

4.  Dependability is the best ability. (stick ability)

5.  Jesus said to Peter three times -----------

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.           John 21:15-17

In other words, Jesus was saying to Peter prove your love for me. 

Too often we talk cream and give skim milk.

6.  “Standing on the Promises.” - “Sitting on the premises.”

7.  “Oh, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing,”

            BUT do we use the one we have to tell others about Him?

8.  God cannon be relegated to 2nd place.  Either He is1st or not at all.

4. Home Plate - Heaven

1.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:21

2.  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.   2 Corinthians 5:8

3.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.                                  John 14:3

4.  Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

(illus)  Jimmie Davis, “I’m not anxious to die, but I am anxious to be prepared to die.”

5.  The runner is out if he never touched 1st base.

(illus) June 17, 1962, Marv Throneberry of the N.Y. Mets lumbered around the bases to score a run, Ernie Banks, the shortstop of the Chicago Cubs went to the umpire to contest the run.  Casey Stengall, the Mets manager came out of the dugout to argue with the umpire.

On his way out, the 3rd base coach said to Casey, “You may as well save your breath, Case, he didn’t touch 2nd base either.”

There is nothing as ecstatic in baseball as hitting a home run!!  The team meets the slugger at home plate and they celebrate.

One day when we get to heaven, we will celebrate together   for eternity.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.    Luke 15:10

(illus)  Missionary returned home to find noone waiting for him.  He walked the streets that night.  The thought struck him, “You’re not home, yet. When you get home, there’ll be a band to meet you.”