The Sermon He Preached Without a Pulpit

Theme: The Gospel Is Lived Before It Is Heard

Scripture

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:2 (KJV)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

“Jesus saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
— Matthew 4:19 (KJV)

Emphasis

Some of the greatest sermons are never preached behind a pulpit.

They’re lived.

When my boys were growing up, baseball was a huge part of our lives. My husband coached, and our sons played travel ball, All-Stars, and tournament baseball. One summer, my oldest son was only eight years old when his team earned a spot in the state tournament in Jackson, Mississippi.

We had been there the year before, and this time we felt ready. We packed our bags and left in the middle of the week. It meant missing church that weekend, and if I’m honest, that weighed on my heart. I wondered if we were where we were supposed to be.

Sometimes God meets us in places we never expected.

Throughout the tournament there was an umpire—a big, cheerful man with a smile that seemed to light up his whole face. The children loved him. He joked with them, encouraged them, treated them with kindness, and showed genuine interest in each one. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He was simply consistent.

Day after day.

Game after game.

Then Sunday morning arrived.

Before the championship games began, everyone gathered on the ball field for a devotional.

To my surprise, that same umpire stepped forward to speak.

By the end of that devotional, three young boys had given their lives to Jesus Christ.

I’ve thought about that day many times over the years.

I don’t believe those boys responded only because of the message they heard that morning.

I believe they responded because of the message they had watched all week.

His words simply confirmed what his life had already preached.

Attributes of God

Our God is intentional.

He is always working, even in ordinary places like ball fields, classrooms, workplaces, grocery stores, and neighborhoods.

He is patient, preparing hearts long before we ever see the harvest.

He is loving, drawing people to Himself through ordinary believers who faithfully reflect His character.

Jesus never intended for His followers to simply speak about Him.

He called us to become like Him.

People should be able to see His kindness in our kindness.

His patience in our patience.

His compassion in our compassion.

Before many people ever open a Bible, they will read the life of someone who claims to follow Christ.

The question is, what are they reading?

Personal Reflection

That weekend changed the way I think about discipleship.

It reminded me that ministry isn’t confined to a church building.

Sometimes it’s found behind home plate.

Sometimes it’s wearing an umpire’s uniform instead of a suit.

Sometimes the greatest testimony is the life you quietly live before anyone ever hears you speak.

That umpire never announced who he was.

He simply lived like Jesus.

When the opportunity came to share the Gospel, those children were already listening because they had spent the week watching his life.

I want my life to look like that.

I want people to encounter the love of Christ before I ever say His name.

I want my kindness to reflect His kindness.

My patience to reflect His patience.

My joy to reflect His joy.

Because people may forget our words.

But they rarely forget the way we made them feel.

As disciples of Jesus, our lives should make people curious about the Savior we follow.

May our character open doors that our words can walk through.

Prayer

Father,

Help me live the Gospel before I speak it. Let my life reflect the kindness, grace, patience, and love of Jesus in every place You send me. Make me faithful in the ordinary moments, knowing You use them for eternal purposes. May others see Christ in me and be drawn to the hope found only in Him. Let my life preach a sermon that points people to Jesus.In Jesus’ name, Amen