My First Sermon: The Island of Misfit Toys

by Pastor Gary Ritchie of One Way Ministries

My very first sermon at the inauguration of One Way Ministries in 1998 was titled An Army of Misfits. The scripture text for the sermon came from 1 Samuel 22. The chapter detailed the beginning of David’s rise to power as he assembled his mighty army. 1 Samuel 22:2 detailed the type of men who were drawn to his service: those who were in debt, distressed, or discontented. It sounds much like a shotgun blast that could hit anyone. If not today, finding yourself distressed, discontented, or in debt will soon find you.

The heart of the message centered around finding your place in the world. David was not in such a great place himself as he was on the run from King Saul. His situation was so desperate that he found himself hanging out in the land of his enemy, the Philistines. He was a man without a home, yet God was directing mighty men of valor to join his cause. It sounded as if the men who joined him appeared to be men without a home as well.

It appeared as if they were all misfits in some way. Each of them was just not in a good place. As I prepared for the message, I was reminded of the short cartoon Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. In the story, Rudolph found himself on the Island of Misfit Toys. Rudolph could appreciate each misfit toy’s plight. Although they may not have been in debt, they found themselves distressed and discontented. I am thankful God calls the misfits unto him.

God Uses Misfits

Most of us, at one time or another, felt as if we did not fit in somewhere. When we become a child of God and committed to modeling the character of Christ, we truly find that we are misfits. The more surrendered we are to the Holy Spirit, the stranger we may become. The theme of the Island of Misfit Toys was sad in many ways, but one positive was clear. All of the misfits found some comfort supporting one another.

The Body of Christ is much like the Island of Misfit Toys. We may feel broken, damaged, worthless, of no value. But God sees something different. He sees value in every one of us. Since we are God’s creation, how could we believe that God did not make the best us he could make.

May we encourage one another in knowing that we are a member of the Army of Misfits.

An army whose leader has never lost a battle and never will!

For more information, about One Way Ministries, visit www.onewaydamascus.org