by: Keith Phemister
Acts 26:24-25, “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.”
I love sports. I cannot play it as I once could, but I love sports. I may even be called a fanatic when it comes to baseball. I was raised on St. Louis Cardinal baseball. My dad listened to the ball games on the radio station, KMOX, St. Louis. Many times in those days, static would interfere with the play-by-play, but make no mistake about it; we were able to distinguish carefully the words that echoed from that little radio. If you were to walk into my office today, you would see evidence of what I am talking about. Now, you have to understand; I currently reside in Red Sox territory. I have endured the snickers and sneers as well as two losses in World Series play this millennium. I must say, that those who know me well know I love Cardinal baseball. I may be even be called a fanatic.
There is a difference between a fan and a fanatic.
– Fan – one who is enthusiastic about a sport, pastime or performer
– Fanatic – unreasonably enthusiastic or overly zealous giving beyond what is reasonable.
I heard about a Steeler fan who died years ago. He loved his Steelers. They buried him in a Pittsburgh Steeler jersey, sitting in a recliner while watching football with a beer in one hand and a remote control in the other. Sports fanatics are not shy about representing their teams; so, why are Christians shy about witnessing for Christ?
I went to the same church where Dr. Carl Hatch attended. I have heard some of the most amazing soul-winning stories ever, and many of them were centered on him. He was fearless and bold as a lion. What was the difference in his life that propelled him to become a fanatic for Christ instead of a fan of Christ? I heard him tell the story of how he went into a public bathroom and tossed gospel tracts underneath the stalls while shouting, “Here is some good reading material for you.” Why, that must register as fanatical, don’t you agree? He was a fanatic for Christ.
In Acts 26, reading verses 24-25, Paul is speaking to Festus, and Festus declared to Paul that he is “mad.” Paul downplays the accusation, but the word mad is an interesting word. The word actually comes from the Greek word, “mania” and means exclusive excitability, a persistent, obsessive enthusiasm. It is interesting that a fanatic will not testify to his behavior as excessive, but to those around him, it is very evident that one has crossed the threshold, going from fan to fanatic. Wouldn’t it be a great testimony if the outside world thought of each of us in a fanatical way regarding our walk with the Lord? Wouldn’t it just be the height of compliments to you or me if someone would make a comment to another that we are a fanatic.
What would the criteria be for a Christian fanatic? May I attempt to parlay evidence of a sports fanatic and correspond it to a Christian fanatic? Bear with me as I make a few attempts to do just that.
1. Sports fanatics are very faithful, and they like to identify.
They will buy hats, shirts, socks and even undergarments to identify with their team. They will enter into enemy territory wearing their team’s logo. (Caution: you may be entering the danger zone here.) A real fanatic will not be shy about representing their team. So, question – Are we shy about letting others know about who we represent? Do we hide our Bibles at lunch hour, or do we sit alone reading it knowing that such action will alienate us from the others who are assembled? Do we indeed look forward to each service of the week with anticipation, having prayed for the preacher to speak God’s Word with power and conviction? Could our pastor declare us to be faithful even fanatical in our attendance?
2. Sports fanatics are big spenders.
They are not chintzy; no, not in the least. A real fanatic will spend $5000 at the drop of a hat to attend the Super Bowl where their team is represented. Money seems to be no object for a real fanatic. They spend money to go and get autographs to line their basement or den with rich artifacts demonstrating their fanaticism. Hey, maybe I am only a fan and not a fanatic! However, you ask the average Christian to not only tithe, but give, and you have now crossed the line. I see why the Lord loves a cheerful giver. The giver is the one who gives above the tithe and sees no problem in doing so. In fact, he does it cheerfully because of Who he is giving it to and for. He is a fanatic for Christ! He will tithe, give offerings, and give alms. He realizes that you cannot out-give God. It isn’t how much he gives, but how much he has left after he gives. He, like the little widow woman whom our Lord watched, gives till it hurts. Are you a fanatic for Christ?
3. Sports fanatics are tireless.
They do not rest. Many of them travel hours to see their team play. You will often hear stories how some of them go to every stadium their team travels to in order to have a part in their victories. Parents of children involved in sports will help little junior to sell candy in order to raise funds for jerseys, and they have no problem with the time or work involved. Many of them will even take time off work to better their child’s cause. They do not care who gets the credit as long as the funds are raised.
Wouldn’t it be great if folks like you and I would not care who gets the credit for what is done. Remember, it is God who gives the increase anyway, and everything we do for Him is done because of Him. So why should we even think of doing something for human recognition? We should not think of what position we are given in the church, simply because we are on the same team. A fanatic gives testimony of things accomplished because of what God has done through them, and not because of what they have done. We often complain and moan about how we just have so much time. However, a fanatic does not complain about the time he/she spends for the Lord. He must have balance in his life and home, but time spent for the Lord is time well spent.
4. Sports fanatics are very loyal and will not switch.
A real Cardinal fan roots for the team, win or lose. If the team moves to another city, a team fanatic will still root for the team, right? I have had teams that I was a fan of, pack up and move to another city, but I was still a fan of that team. The team may have switched locations, but it did not mean I was going to switch teams.
Our allegiance is to Christ, and because of the loyalty to Him, we should not drop out of church because of what others do or say. That is not being a fanatic, but a fan. Paul himself said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) My allegiance is to the King of kings, and because of that, I will not blame Him for things that I make difficult in my life. God is always good and at all times.
5. Sports fanatics are very passionate, and they do not give up.
A true fan never gives up on their team. When I go to a game, I stay to the very last out if I am a fanatic. A fan will head out to the car way before the end. A Christian fanatic will not quit on their Lord. He may have feelings of quitting that overcome him, but there is something ingrained in his Christian DNA that will not allow him to quit. The Word says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”
In conclusion, I don’t know if I would be called a Christian fanatic or not, but I do know that my testimony is not what it should be unless someone from the world would look at my life and declare me a fanatic. Paul’s speech was condemned by Festus, declaring that he was “mad.” Paul was a Christian fanatic, and it is high time we as Christians were called fanatics as well. Lord help us!
Keith Phemister
Pastor
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Hudson, NH