The Problem of Pac Man
The Problem with Pac Man
One evening a young Namco game designer named Tohru Iwatani went out for pizza with some friends. After the usual chatting and sipping of drinks, their large pizza arrived. Tohru removed the first slice and brought it to his watering mouth. He causally glanced at the shape of the pizza that was left. Cells in his brain fired. His mind raced. What if? From that though birthed a new phenomenon called Pac-Man. That’s right Pac Man was birthed out of missing slice of pizza. Starting in the 1980’s this game hit the new Atari video game systems and created a cultural frenzy all across America. When this game hit the homes of America it created something new the world have never seen before.
We now had hours of meaningless time wasted in “trying to get o the next level.” I can recall showing my mom and dad this game for the first time. I can remember when they would peel my brothers and my hands from the Atari system and put us to bed hearing them up all night playing this game. As it became more and more popular, however, problems started arising. People started missing work, coming to work exhausted, and another new phenomenon came, Carpel tunnel.
The problem with Pac Man was that was though it was fun it became distracting, addicting, and people became too attached to it. It reminded me of how we as Gods warriors often lose focus and faith which in turn causes us to lose perspective because we become too attached to the things of the world rather than on what is God’s promise for our lives.
Perspective, Point of view, and answers
We must understand that there is only one perspective when it comes to living out our walk as Christians. It is Gods perspective. There is only one point of view from which we should be looking and basing our decision on and that is Gods and there is only one answer to all your questions and it’s found through submission to his promises.
When we feel like we lose our way in these areas we have to ask ourselves what from this world are we clinging onto other then God. Are we attached to the world and its stuff? Another way to put it is this: Have a really given all of myself to God? Do I really want to pick up my cross and follow Jesus?
Let me give you an illustration:
“World Will Give You Up”
A man once said to D. L. Moody, “Now that I am converted, must I give up to the world?”
“No,” answered the evangelist, “you need not give up the world; if you give a ringing testimony for the Son of God the world will give you up pretty quick. They will not want you around.”
The problem with that conversation is it is true!
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
\\1. We are expected to be people of faith
a. Distance – people of God look ahead in faith
b. The hero’s of faith didn’t have authority issues, didn’t squabble over theological debates, and didn’t questions God’s word
i. They were too busy doing something for God’s Kingdom
1. Anyone who is actually doing something doesn’t have time for meaningless debates, pointless doctrinal stances, and attachments to the world
c. They keep moving forward because their trust is in God and not in any situation, circumstance or condition.
John 8:56
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
d. They were so consumed where they are at that they couldn’t see the hope in front of them
e. Take the test!
i. Do you see the promises before you?
2. We are to put our hope on the eternal- We are to attached
a. They felt like they were aliens and strangers (they held on to the promise)
i. Aliens feel like outsiders – they are disconnected, they feel incompatible with the nature of something
ii. They were not attached to this world, or to the things of the world
1 John 2:15
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Which Disturbs You Most?
A soul lost in Hell … or a scratch on your new car?
Your missing the worship service … or missing a day’s work?
A sermon 10 minutes too long … or lunch half hour late?
A church not growing … or your garden not growing?
Your Bible unopened … or your newspaper unread?
The church work being neglected … or housework neglected?
Missing a good Bible study … or your favorite TV program?
The millions who do not know Christ … or your inability to keep up with the neighbors?
The cry of the multitude for bread … or your desire for another piece of German chocolate cake?
Your tithes decreasing … or your income decreasing?
Your children late for Sunday school and Church … or late for public school?
Which really disturbs you most?
3. They never looked to what they have left behind because they longed for promise of God
a. Looking back or to the world only shows us how far away from eternity we are
i. Our expectation from God is
1. to believe in his word
John 6:35
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
a. Notice the curse is death, the gift is eternal life that has to be believed though not seen.
b. God offers provision which cannot be seen.
c. God tells us our desires will be met if they are God’s will
2. to walk in the word
1 John 2:28
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
3. To let that word take us towards his promise
Hebrews 9:37
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Something You Should Know
5% of reported church members do not exist;
10% cannot be found;
20% never pray;
25% never read the Bible;
30% never attend church;
40% never give to any cause;
50% never go to Sunday school;
60% never go to church Sunday nights;
70% never give to Missions;
75% never engaged in any church activity;
80% never go to prayer meeting;
90% never have family worship;
95% never win a soul to Christ.
“If you were on trial for being Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”