Thought for the Month - July 2020

"Be Frank" by Barry Adair
(You must be born again)

Have you ever heard of Frank Hogan? Don't worry if you haven't, as you won't be on your own. Frank's recent sad passing did make a couple of newspapers, but only in Southern Ireland (Eire). 'Up here' in Northern Ireland there was no coverage. I was aware of Frank only because my Dad watches the odd Gaelic Football match on RTE (Eire TV broadcaster). And as a Christian, I was always intrigued to see a large yellow JOHN 3:7 sign held amongst the crowd. In fact, back in the 1990s, Eire was predominantly a traditional Catholic country and 'born again' evangelism was just not that apparent. Well, unless you were watching a GAA football or hurling match on a Sunday afternoon, that is!

I should add that by "evangelism" I mean telling others about the good news. Where the "good news" is the gospel of the Bible - the good news that everyone can be forgiven of God!

Frank started his own unique form of evangelism over 3 decades ago. He initially got the idea after seeing someone holding up a 'JOHN 3:16' sign at the 1987 Wimbledon men's final when Pat Cash beat Ivan Lendl. In fact, he started out with a 'JOHN 3:16' sign too but thought the verse was a tad long.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

At the stadiums he was asked so many times "what is this John 3:16 then?" that he wanted a punchier verse. Then when someone suggested JOHN 3:7, he switched to that verse instead.

Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:7)

Frank was seen at many GAA football and hurling matches in Eire. And the JOHN 3:7 sign was very prominent, especially when a score was landed. According to RTE, the distinctiveness of the sign on match-days made Hogan something of a celebrity among GAA fans, particularly hurling supporters.

A committed Christian evangelist, Frank was also perhaps something of a maverick. I mean, do you know anyone who goes to football matches with a 6 foot bright yellow sign with a Bible verse on it?! He may not have been able to preach from a pulpit but just think of the thousands of souls God may have reached with that simple message - you must be born again. I like to think that, now in heaven, Frank will have the joy of many people walking up to him to tell him that it was his sign that pointed them to the Saviour.

To myself and other Christians, I would say this - have we the desire that Frank had to touch others with the love of Jesus Christ? Frank went well out of his comfort zone to reach others. Do I, do you? He was frank with them about their need of a Saviour. And let us be frank too - be Frank!

O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest,
The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
"Ye must be born again".

Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again.

Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:7)

Until next month (DV)…

(All Bible quotations are from the NASB, unless stated)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!