Tony Hammond
A Life of Dedication (Billy Sunday)
Imagine with me for a minute, that you have the dream job. The job you have always wanted, but never thought it would come true. You are making more money than you could have ever imagined and you are doing a job that you love. Would you be willing to give this job up, if God wanted you to do something else? Something that may not be as glamorous. A job where you might only make enough money to keep food on the table for your family. Let me tell you about a man who was faced with these decisions. His name was Billy Sunday. Billy grew up as a poor desolate young boy in Davenport, Iowa. His father died when he was only one year old and his mother sent his brother and Billy to an orphanage, because she could not handle the burdens placed upon her. Billy always loved playing in the cornfields of Iowa and he loved running races against other people his age. It was this love for competition that would one day make his dream come true, when he would have the opportunity to tryout for the Chicago White Stockings, a professional baseball team. Of course, Billy didn’t have much of a chance of making the team, because in order to win a spot on the roster he had to out run the fastest man on the team- Fred Pfeffer. Cap Anson, the manager of the team was chuckling as Fred and Billy went to the line to start the race. Cap knew that the skinny little twig from Iowa, certainly couldn’t outrun the strong and powerful Fred Pfeffer, who was known as one of the fastest players of his time. Billy stepped in behind the line with no intimidation; he almost appeared confident- as though he might actually win the race. As the gun sounded for the race to begin Billy darted out running faster and faster and faster. As he glanced out of the side of his eyes he noticed that Fred was falling a little bit behind. Cap gasped, as he looked on! It was almost as though Billy heard that gasp- because it made him even more determined. He was getting tired but his legs were moving even faster and as he saw the finish line come into his sight, he pushed himself even more until he finally crossed the line. As Billy crossed the line, Cap and Fred watched in complete astonishment. But for Billy, he remained calm and confident. He knew he would win the race and that is exactly what he did. The White Stockings quickly extended a contract offer to him and he gladly accepted it. After playing baseball for a few years, Billy was living a little boy’s dream. He was having a successful career. He was making lots of money and he was admired by all of his peers. But, then suddenly something happened. Billy had a life-changing experience that maybe-even he, didn’t expect. Billy accepted Jesus Christ into his life as his personal Savior. Billy didn’t know that would mean giving up his baseball career and giving himself to evangelism, but he knew that God was calling him to do something great, so that is exactly what he did. He traded in his baseball uniform for a bible and a suit. He started putting sermons together and was excited about this new ministry. It was the same perseverance and confidence that he had in baseball that made him a faithful servant to God. Billy knew the race that he was running now, was more important than the race he had run against Fred Pfeiffer, but he knew the outcome would be the same. He could confidently share the Gospel with others, because he knew at the end he would once again be victorious, because of what Jesus did on the cross for his sins. This is what drove Billy Sunday to be a great man of God, he wanted others to join him in this race, so they may also have victory at the end. For most people, giving up their dream job would be devastating, but for Billy he found even greater rewards, because he knew his God is Faithful. What can best be remembered about Billy Sunday is the words of II Timothy 4:7 that are etched on his tombstone, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." In these words we are left with the true meaning of what life is all about. Some would mock Billy for leaving baseball in order to start preaching, but now he is in Heaven being rewarded for his faithfulness.
Sources:
Lockerbie, Bruce D. Billy Sunday. Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1965.
Comprehension Questions
1. What tragedy happened in Billy’s life when he was only one year-old?
2. Where did Billy’s mom send him, when he was 4 years old?
3. Who was Cap Anson?
4. Who did Billy have to run a race against in order to make the baseball team?
5. What professional baseball team did Billy Sunday play for?
6. Why did Billy give up on baseball?
7. What Bible Verse was of utmost importance to him as he neared his death?
8. What do you think was going through Billy’s mind, when he had to make the decision
to go from baseball to preaching?
9. Pretend you are Cap Anson for a moment. Describe how you would have felt if you
saw Billy outrun your fastest player.
Answers to Comprehension Questions
1. Billy’s dad died
2. An orphanage in Davenport, Iowa
3. Manager of the Chicago White Stockings
4. Fred Pfeiffer
5. Chicago White Stockings
6. To serve God
7. 2 Timothy 2:7
8. Answers can vary. Billy probably had fears and doubts, but I think his desire to please God made him willing to go into the ministry.
9. Answers can vary. Cap was probably extremely excited and he probably thought he
had a new star on his team.
OUTLINE:
I. Billy’s upbringing
A. Dad died at age of 1
B. Sent to orphanage
II. Billy as a baseball player
A. Races against Fred Pfeiffer
B. Makes the team
C. Achieved Success
III. Billy’s higher calling
A. Salvation
B. Evangelist
C. II Timothy 2:7