From Spectator to Player: The Call to Active Faith

This weekend at Courageous Church, Pastor Dave delivered a powerful message challenging us to examine whether we're spectators or active participants in our faith journey. Drawing from his childhood experiences with rugby and soccer, he painted a vivid picture of the difference between watching from the stands and being in the game.

The message centered on the biblical account of Peter's calling, where Jesus transformed a regular fisherman into someone who would help change the world. Dave highlighted how Jesus didn't just meet Peter's needs or teach him new things – He invited Peter to be part of something bigger than himself. This progression from experiencing Jesus' miracles to hearing His teaching, and finally to accepting His call to "fish for people," illustrates the journey many of us need to take in our faith.

What struck me most was the identification of three main barriers that keep us in the stands: feeling disqualified, being distracted, and becoming despondent. The pastor reminded us that God consistently uses people who feel disqualified – it's actually His specialty. Moses couldn't speak well, Gideon was hiding when called, and Peter was known as "the reed" (weak and floppy), yet God used them all powerfully.

The contrast between fans and followers was particularly convicting. Fans stay comfortable while followers get committed. Fans consume while followers contribute. Fans show up part-time while followers are all in. In our Instagram-perfect world, it's easy to become spiritual fans – liking, sharing, and watching from a safe distance without ever getting our hands dirty in the actual work of the kingdom.

Dave emphasized that Charleston doesn't need another church option on Sundays – it needs people who will come alive with their faith Monday through Saturday. This isn't about perfect performance but about willing participation. It's about moving from the comfortable seats of spectatorship to the challenging but rewarding position of being in the game.

The message concluded with three practical questions we should ask ourselves regularly:

- Where am I watching when I could be in the game?

- What is God asking me to do this week?

- Who can I reach this week?

These questions serve as a practical framework for moving from passive observation to active participation in God's mission. They remind us that following Jesus isn't about perfect performance but about faithful presence and participation in what He's doing around us.

As Courageous Church approaches its one-year anniversary, this message sets the tone for a "limitless" 2025 – not just in terms of what God can do, but in how we as believers can step out of the stands and onto the field. It's a reminder that while salvation is free, discipleship costs everything. Yet the reward of being in the game, though it might leave us tired, muddy, and occasionally bruised, far outweighs the comfort of remaining a spectator.

The challenge is clear: Will we be content to watch from the stands, or will we answer the call to get in the game? The choice is ours, but the invitation from Jesus remains the same as it was to Peter: "Come, follow me."