Today we end our series on the games people play. Last week we looked at Solitaire. Solitaire is a great game to play, but it’s a terrible way to live. God’s intention for us is to “do life together”. Today we look at another popular game. Monopoly.
Monopoly was introduced in 1934 during the height of the great depression. The game was a wild success. The exciting promise of fame and fortune that the game seemed to offer its players made Monopoly a huge hit among the public.
In its 65 year history 200 million copies have been sold worldwide. It is the best selling game in all the world - sold in 80 countries and produced in 26 languages. The game has been copied and duplicated in all different special editions like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Starwars, Nascar many more. Neiman Marcus even put out an all chocolate version of the game.
The longest game of Monopoly lasted – 70 straight days. World records have been broken – playing the game underwater (45 days) and in the bathtub (99 hours) and upside down (36 hours).
The most recent special edition of the game is called the America edition. The front cover of the box reads, “Celebrating, Life, liberty and the pursuit of Property.”
What about you? What are your Monopoly memories? What is your strategy? Do you by the railroads or the utility companies. Do you try to control the low rent district or do you go for the up town properties like boardwalk and park place.
Monopoly has one leg up on our previous game – Solitaire – in that - we do play it together – with friends. It can provide fun times for a family. It can’t be played alone. But the advantages of Monopoly over Solitaire end there. Monopoly is a great game to play, but it’s a terrible way to live as well. The underlying principle in Monopoly is to acquire property, gain riches and crush your fellow players.
The definition of success that the world around us has and the definition in the bible are two completely different things. Jesus tells a story in Luke 12, it’s a parable. He often used parables to make a point. He brought it down to everyday examples that people in his day could identify with and understand. John Ortberg, a pastor and author had the idea to take this parable in Luke 12 and tell it in a way Jesus might tell to us today. I’d like to try that this morning. I’ve taken some liberty, but you can read the story in Luke 12 later you’ll see that it’s all there.
Once there was a man. He had all the right degrees, from the right schools. He was determined to do whatever it took to succeed in the business world. And he did. He moved up the ladder fast. Everything he touched became wildly successful. He had all the right skills. He understood business principles. He had a great mind for technology. He was an extrovert, life of the party, type guy. The kind of guy that everybody likes. He made a great salary for his age. He had a great position. He drove the kind of car that said success and he lived in a big house in a prestigious neighborhood. He was consumed with work. He easily worked 12 and 14 hour days. He even worked on weekends. He joined professional organizations and boards of directors to increase his contact base. He was a networker. He knew everyone there was to know when it came to getting things done in the area.
Even when he wasn’t working, his mind would drift towards work – so it wasn’t just his occupation it was his preoccupation. He was vaguely aware that his kids were growing up without him and that he hardly spent any time with his wife anymore. He often missed ball games and dance recitals. His wife tried unsuccessfully to get him to slow down and pay attention to his kids. His kids tried too, they would beg him to play catch or go to the park or the swimming pool. But one day the requests from the kids just stopped. They knew the answer would be no, so they just quit asking.
He would tell himself, I’ll give more time to my family when things slow down a bit. He was a bright guy but he didn’t seem to notice that things never slowed down. He would justify it all, by saying “I’m doing it all for my family anyway. I’m doing it all for them. Aren’t”
One morning he awoke with a twinge in his chest. His wife made him go to the doctor and he found out he had a slight heart attack. In fact he also found out he had all the warning signs – elevated blood pressure – high cholesterol. The doctor said he needed to make some serious changes. For a while there was.
He was a driven guy. He could use his will power to change his health habits. He bought sophisticated exercise equipment and all the gear that goes along with it. Eventually the symptoms went away – so he figured he was fine. He would pay attention to his health in another six months or so. He recognized his life is out of balance, but he’d make changes later.
He thought about church sometimes. There was a really good one just off Highway 55 on his way to work in RTP. He heard good things about it. His neighbors, Chuck and Janice Benson invited him to church ALL the time. He’d check it out next summer. Sundays were the only days he had to catch up with paper work or crash on the couch and watch football. There would be time for church later.
One day the CEO – comes to him. Business is booming. We can’t keep up with all the orders. If we catch this wave right - this could be big. It could be great. There’s a chance we could really grab a hold of a huge portion of the market share and crush the competition. We need to overhaul and restructure this company – software needs to be updated – the workforce needs to be reshuffled. Let’s set the date for the IPO. You’re the man to get us there and the reward will be huge.
He came home that night told his wife the big news. This would be worth it. It would take a lot but their future would be set. We’ll finally be ready to relax. He’d buy her a beach house when it was all over. This was it. This would make his career.
His wife had heard it all before, she knew that when this was over - there would be something else. But off he went. She didn’t think it was possible. But he worked even longer days. His kids forgot what he looked like. His wife would complain. But he’d get defensive and attack her. Don’t you appreciate all I’m doing. Besides - I know the market – I covered every base – I’ve planned for every contingency.
One night he was working at the computer and his wife says, I’m going to bed are you coming? He said, no I’ve just got a few more things to take care of. I’ll be up later.
Around 3am she noticed that he wasn’t in bed. She went downstairs to check on him. But there he was slumped over the computer. She said this is ridiculous. He’s just like a little kid – he’d rather fall asleep at his computer then go to bed with me. She went to wake him up – but he was cold to the touch. He did not respond to her voice. She had a sick panicky feeling. She dialed 911 – but by the time the paramedics got there it was too late. In fact, he had a massive coronary and he had been dead for hours.
It was a major story in the technology community. The News and Observer carried his story on the front page. He even got written up in Forbes and the Wallstreet Journal. It was too bad he was dead he would have loved to read what they said about him.
Tons of people came to his funeral. The things they said about him - innovator, master of new technology, a business guru. They talked of his civic achievements. He knew everybody, he was a networker, a leader, an entrepreneur. He was a visionary. He was successful. When the funeral was over, they buried him in the ground and everybody else went home.
But Jesus used a different word to describe this man’s life. Do you know what word Jesus uses to describe this man’s life – FOOL – FOOL. You see the kingdom of god lasts for eternity, this world is temporary. He was so busy making a living, that he never took time to make a life. Her is something we can learn from Monopoly. No matter who wins the game and aquires the most and no matter by how big a margin, at the end of the game the result is the same. It all goes back in the box. Sometimes we just chase after success so hard we can’t see anything else. What we need to do is make sure we focus on the thing that will last.
The bible defines success differently. If we really want to take Jesus seriously then we will listen to what he has to say about success and how we should spend our lives. If we really want him in our lives and we really want what he offers then we need to look at the guide book for the Christian life.
In Mark 10. Jesus defines success. He tells his disciples that whoever wants to be great, whoever wants to be a success will be the one who is the greatest servant. Then he added this in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Our culture says that if we want make it to the top we got to step on a few heads. If we’re going to be number one then we got to push and shove our way in. We got to prove we are important and acquire and succeed and have all the things that say that about us. But Jesus said success is not stepping on people, its helping them up.
It’s serving, without expecting in return. He says look at my example. I had the kingdom of heaven at my feet. I gave up heaven and became a man. I became a servant. And that’s what I want you to do too.
There is a story about a man who went to the doctor after weeks of symptoms. The doctor examined him carefully. Then he said you wait her. I’ve got to talk to your wife. “Your husband is suffering from a rare form of anemia. Without treatment, he’ll be dead in a few weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition.”
“You will need to get up early every morning and fix your husband a hot breakfast—pancakes, bacon and eggs, the works. He’ll need a home-cooked lunch every day, and then an old-fashioned meat-and-potato dinner every evening. It would be especially helpful if you could bake frequently. Cakes, pies, homemade bread—these are the things that will allow your husband to live. “One more thing. His immune system is weak, so it’s important that your home be kept spotless at all times. Do you have any questions?” The wife had none.
“Do you want to break the news, or shall I?” asked the doctor.
“I will,” the wife replied.
She walked into the exam room. The husband, sensing the seriousness of his illness, asked her, “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “What’s going to happen to me?” he asked. With a sob, the wife blurted out, “The doctor says you’re gonna die!”
There is something about many of us that resist being a servant. We know we should but we don’t want to. So I’d like to give you some reasons why we should all serve somewhere.
The first reason – Serving says I love others
You see when we serve; it is the ultimate expression of love for one another. John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Years ago, the Salvation Army, which is known for its servant attitude, held a big convention in the Midwest and the founder, General William Booth, was to speak. But because of an illness he could not be there. He promised that he would send a telegram with a message that would set the direction for the next decade of where the Salvation Army was heading. They were all excited. The Convention Center was packed out with Salvation Army people, waiting in anticipation. They got the telegram. This was the telegram that would cast the vision for their entire organization for the next 10 years. They opened the telegram and it simply read - “Others”. Servanthood is a selfless act and it says “love” like no other act.
Second reason – Serving says I love God
2 Corinthians 9:12 – makes is clear –
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God”
There are two thing this verse points out. I want to look at the second part of this verse first. It says “This service you perform… is an expression of thanks to God.”
There comes a time in every Christ follower’s life where they become fully aware of the sacrifice that Christ made for each of us and we can’t help but become servants.
Romans 12:1 “Because of God’s great mercy to us, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him.”
The reason why we should serve is because of what God’s done for us. When we think of what Jesus Christ has done for us, the sacrifice that He’s made for us, there is no sacrifice that we can make for Him that will ever compare to what He’s already done for us.
Third reason – Serving meets the needs of the church
Lets go back to the 2 Corinthians 9:12 verse. “This service that you perform supplies the needs of God’s people…” Serving meets the needs of the church.
But think about when you came in this morning. Do you know who made your coffee? Or who set out the bagels? Who’s holding your baby right now so you can come to church to worship this morning? Who waved to you as you came in the parking. Who handed you your program. These are namless heroes, who do what they do on Sunday morning because they’ve taken the bible seriously when it says to love people.
There are people who work in the café and make the coffee and they don’t even drink coffee. There are people who help out with the children’s ministry and they don’t have children. Why do they do this? They do it because they want you to experience a meaningful worship experience. Because collectively we all make up what the bible calls “the body of Christ” the church.
2 Corinthians 12:27 says “Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.”
Rick Warren is the Pastor of a church in California. He is the author of the best selling book, “the Purpose Driven Life”. Many of you have read it. I love how he explains this concept.
“What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself. ‘I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me. Let some other part take over.’ What would happen? Your body would die.” Then he ends – “Thousand of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators and the body suffers.”
God gives each of us a gift. The spiritual gift he gives each of us isn’t for us, its for others, its for the church.
Every role here at Crosspointe is equally important. There is no difference. Worship leaders, preachers, café workers, children’s workers, we all work together to make Crosspointe God’s Church. Because we are all members of one body. Together we can accomplish great things and do the work God intended for the church today.
There is a little country church I heard about. The church averaged about 50 people or so on a Sunday morning, not very many. It was a small church. There were four people that were the most prominent in the church. Their names were Fred Somebody, Thomas Everybody, Susan Anybody, and Joe Nobody. It happened one day that the Pastor needed help in the nursery. He really wanted Anybody to do it. But Anybody thought Somebody would do it. Everybody was oblivious to the whole situation, and guess who ended up working in the nursery? Nobody! That is how it usually worked in that little church. Nobody did most of the serving, and that’s probably why this church stayed pretty small. Luckily Crosspointe is a little bit different.
All rolls are important but there are some that are more important. The most important jobs are the jobs that go unfilled. We want to be the most effective church we can be. We want to be the kind of church God wants us to be. There is one barrier that keeps us from doing that – that is when we lack enough servants.
The ushers are going to come down the isles right now and they are going to give you the Crosspointe want ad. Our Classified ads. Our entire staff got together and we asked each other what are some of the jobs you can think of that are going unfilled and are keeping us from effectively carrying out our ministry. This is that list. I want you to look through these and take a look at the descriptions and if you see anything and you think, “I can do that”, or “I might be interested in that”. I want you to step up and fill that gap. This list gives you all the contact information you need and who to get a hold of. So take a look. While they are passing those out I’ll continue.
The fourth reason – Serving brings true fulfillment
Here is something that I know about you. God designed you the way he did for a reason. Each Christ follower is given a gift that God wants each of us to use.
Ephesians 2:10 “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” You are God’s handcrafted work of art. You are not an assembly line product created without thought. You are custom designed, one of a kind original master piece. When God made you he made you for a reason. He has in mind a particular place or way for you to serve and when you find it, it will come along with a tremendous amount of satisfaction. Because that is the way he made you.
Bill Hybels is the pastor of the Willowcreek Community Church. He tells a story about a note he got from a new believer at his church. One guy wrote this: “My life used to be about one thing—me. I was a self-serving guy who had neither purpose nor passion in his life. I was leading a miserable life—cheap beer and cheap thrills. And then, one day, I wandered into this church. After listening for quite a while, I heard the message of Christ and gave him my life. And then I heard you say, ‘Give your life away to others, and you will find your life instead.’ “I didn’t have much to give up, so I said, ‘I’ll give it a shot.’ And then things changed for me. When I started serving others, my relationship with Christ became much more real. It moved past me just going to church. I found a purpose and a reason for my very existence. Today, my life is richer than I ever believed it could be. Serving people has become central in my life. Leaving the spectator stands was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
This is the fringe benefit of serving. We experience fulfillment and satisfaction that is unmatched. The opposite is true, when we try to find satisfaction in accomplishments or possessions.
Solomon is a character in the bible who had everything. He was the king of Israel when it was at its pinnacle. The bible says he was the wisest and the richest man who ever lived. Solomon wrote several books in the bible one of which is Ecclesiastes. Here is what he says in chapter 2. “Then I did great things: I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and parks…I had large herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem had ever had before. I also gathered silver and gold for myself… I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me…Anything I saw and wanted, I got for myself …But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work. Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11)
When we expect to find satisfaction in possessions or power or wealth. They don’t satisfy. When I did college ministry I had a student tell me, “yeah Jon, I know wealth won’t satisfy me. But I just want to be really rich so I can show everybody its true.” We find satisfaction and fulfillment when we serve.
I want to let you know that we want to help you find that fulfillment. We are offering our 301 class today. This class is especially designed to help you figure out the way God has wired you and made you to serve. If you want some help figuring this out. This class is for you. All we need you to do is sign up at the information center following this service.
Fifth reason we should serve – Serving Glorifies God
Servanthood is so counter cultural, that when you are a servant people can’t help but notice and wonder why!! I’ve shared with you that it is God’s desire for you to serve. You can serve inside this church but it doesn’t end there. Our service must go beyond the walls of this church and into the community as well. Will we remain outside of the community inviting people in or will we go to our community, seeking to be a transforming agent? The church is called to be separate in lifestyle but never called to be isolated from the people it seeks to influence.
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I sometimes watch the Simpsons. Ned Flanders is Homer’s quirky next door neighbor. And Ned is a Christian. In one episode, Ned Flanders and his family are just getting home. When Homer, asks where they’ve been Ned proudly announces that they’ve been at Christian camp learning to be more judgmental and intolerant of others. Often times Christians are known for what they are against. What if Christians were known for how they serve their communities?
A grad student majoring in psychology had a love for music. He decided he would study the psychological dynamics of an orchestra for his dissertation project. He focused on the perceptions that each of the individual instrument sections had for each other. Here is what he found. The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose “loud” as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Finally the woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical. Interesting findings. Here was the conclusion of the psychology student. With such widely divergent personalities and perceptions, how could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how those musicians view each other, they subordinate their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play beautiful music.
Under the guidance of the master of the church, Jesus Christ – we all play a part and we too can accomplish great things together.
Matthew 5:16 - “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” That’s just what servants do. Wouldn’t it be great if the next time Ned Flanders goes to Christian camp, he has a different answer for Homer? Let’s Pray.
