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Sermon: The Joy of Community, Freedom, and Play in God’s Design

Introduction: The simple pleasures of childhood—like playing kickball after school—remind us of the pure joy found in community, freedom, and the innocence of youth. The song paints a vivid picture of neighborhood camaraderie, the thrill of friendly competition, and the beauty of shared moments. These experiences, though seemingly small, are reflections of a deeper spiritual truth that resonates with Christian Libertarian Ideology, modern human perspectives, and the timeless teachings of Scripture.

The Freedom to Play: A Gift from God In the opening lines, the excitement of playing kickball after school represents more than just a game—it’s a symbol of the freedom that God grants us. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”

In the context of Christian Libertarian Ideology, this freedom is a God-given right. We are called to exercise our liberty in ways that glorify God, and even in the simple act of playing a game, we can find joy in His creation. The ability to run, slide, pitch, and kick is a celebration of the physical life God has given us, a life meant to be lived fully and joyfully.

Community: The Heart of Christian Fellowship The song’s depiction of a small neighborhood, where friends are just a door away, mirrors the biblical concept of community. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Community is central to both our spiritual lives and our well-being. In this neighborhood game, we see children coming together, supporting one another, and creating bonds that reflect the fellowship we are called to in the body of Christ. Whether it’s Miss Holly calling out for Brian to play, or Tommy, the kid with a cast but a strong kick, each person plays a role in the community, just as we each have a role in God’s kingdom.

Overcoming Challenges: A Lesson in Resilience Tommy’s story—right foot of steel, left arm in a cast—reminds us that life is filled with challenges, yet those challenges do not define us. Philippians 4:13 reassures us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Despite his cast, Tommy steps up to the plate and kicks the ball straight into the sun, turning potential weakness into strength.

From a modern human perspective, this speaks to the resilience we all must develop. Life often presents obstacles, but with faith and determination, we can overcome them, turning our trials into testimonies. Tommy’s persistence on the field is a reminder that our limitations do not hold us back when we rely on God’s strength.

The Joy of the Present Moment: Embracing God’s Timing As the song continues, the imagery of the sky turning dark blue and streetlights flickering on highlights the passage of time. Yet, even as the day ends, there’s a focus on the joy of the present moment—playing, running, and enjoying the company of friends. This reflects the wisdom found in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

God calls us to live in the present, to find joy in each moment He has given us. In the hustle of modern life, we often forget to cherish these simple pleasures. The song’s focus on the immediate joy of play and the warmth of community serves as a gentle reminder to embrace the here and now, trusting in God’s perfect timing.

A Reflection of Heaven: The Eternal Joy of Community The closing lines of the song—“Nothing’s as good as kickball in your neighborhood”—point to a truth that transcends the game itself. While kickball in the neighborhood is a beautiful experience, it’s also a foretaste of the eternal joy we will experience in heaven. Revelation 21:3-4 gives us this vision: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

In heaven, we will experience the fullness of community, the ultimate freedom, and the purest joy—far beyond anything we can imagine on earth. Yet, in moments like those depicted in the song, we catch glimpses of that heavenly reality. The laughter, the friendship, the play—it’s all a reflection of the eternal fellowship we will enjoy with God and one another.

Conclusion: The song captures more than just a game of kickball; it’s a celebration of freedom, community, resilience, and the joy of living in the moment. Through the lens of Christian Libertarian Ideology, modern human perspectives, and Scripture, we see that these simple childhood experiences are deeply spiritual. They remind us of the gifts God has given us—the freedom to live, the community to support us, the strength to overcome challenges, and the joy that points us toward eternity. As we reflect on this song, let us be inspired to live fully in the freedom God has given us, to cherish our communities, and to find joy in every moment, knowing that it all points to the greater joy awaiting us in heaven.

I cannot wait to play kickball after school

Yeah, my small neighborhood makes funny rules

And you’re never too far from your best friend’s door

We’re singing, hey there Miss Holly, can Brian play some more?

We run and slide and pitch and kick, then go home, go home

Oh, here comes Tommy, he is up too bad

A right foot of steel, left arm in a cast

But I swear he could kick it Straight into the sun

It seems every time he is up, it is a home run

We run and slide and pitch and kick, then go home, go home

See the next point wins, dinner is coming soon

Mama rings that bell and the sky is dark blue

The street lights Flicker on, see I am up too bad

The pitcher has two outs, so he tilts his hat

Way down low, and I swung and I caught that ball

We’re going out to the field, out to the field

We’re gonna run all around, run all around

We’re going out to the Field, out to the field

To play, to play, yeah

We’re going out to the field, out to the field

We’re gonna run in the grass, run in the grass

We’re gonna play in The air, play in the air All day, all day

Nothing’s as good as kickball in your neighborhood, yeah, yeah, yeah

As Always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson