Join the Game

Join the Game

1 Cor 12.1-7

How many people had a game similar to this when they were young?

How many still play with something like this?

This game of shapes and finding there right place is a perfect analogy for the church.

The church is a group of different people, coming together, finding their place and working together to accomplish more than they could alone. 

1 Cor 12:1  Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

1 Cor 12:2  You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

1 Cor 12:3  Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor 12:4  There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Cor 12:5  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

1 Cor 12:6  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

1 Cor 12:7  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1.  Everyone is different

            This shapes are each different

In this particular game they are even different colors which fits the analogy even better

We are all different – Some are very different

We come from different places – races

Some are at different places in their spiritual walks

This is the beauty of the church

You don’t have to conform to anyone else’s pattern

You can be yourself – Who God created you to be

·         Jer 1:5  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

·         Psa 139:13  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

·         Psa 139:14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

·         Psa 139:15  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

·         Psa 139:16  your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

·         Rev 5:9  And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

2.  Everyone has a place

            Maybe we’ll call this a gift

            In our passage – a manifestation of the Spirit

            Every person who has accepted Jesus Christ has a gift –

Sometimes people think because they don’t have a public gift – they don’t have a gift.

That is not what the Bible teaches

• 1 Cor 12:4  There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
• 1 Cor 12:5  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
• 1 Cor 12:6  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Different kinds of gifts

Different kinds of service

Different kinds of working                

Here is a good word – variety

Look at the blocks – I think what makes the game neat is the variety

            God is a God of variety

            We like the zoo

We like the Aquarium – so many different things – so many variations within the same species – Fish - Amphibians – Mammals        

            Yesterday I went the Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg

                        Fish – bass – striped bass – small mouth bass – large mouth bass 

            Variety

                        God does not limit the gifts to 20 or so that are mentioned

                        There are a variety of gifts – even under the same category

Service – could include helping people – specifically children – or the elderly -

Could include – cleaning up when things are done – going to someone’s house and helping with small repairs

Everyone has a gift – Everyone has a place

This thought leads to the next…

3.  Sometimes you only find your place by trying different things

In the shape game – if it doesn’t fit in the first slot – try another one – that is the fun of it

Try different things – Try different ministries – Try –Try - Try

Some people try one thing – that doesn’t fit – I’m done

After salvation – “You exist on this earth to find your place of service within the kingdom” -  Nothing else matters

            You must find your place

            You must use your gifts for the common good

            To benefit others

4.  Don’t force it

            This game is about trial and error as we have said

            If you force a piece into a slot it wasn’t designed to go

            Something will break

            Same thing in the church

                        If you force someone into something they will break

                        If you try to force your gift on someone – you will break – they will break

If you have thought your gift was in one area – but there is no fruit other than frustration – You might be trying to force it into the wrong slot

5.  Let leadership help

Sometimes with small children the parent or teacher has to come over and help the child find the right place

Sometimes we need others to help us find our place

To look at our lives – talents –

Spiritual gifts
Heart – center of motivation - passion
Abilities – natural gifts – things you are good at
Personality – introverts – extroverts – two people with the gift of evangelism will use their gifts differently

Experience.

Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
Vocational experiences: What jobs have you enjoyed and achieved results while doing?
Spiritual experiences: What have been the meaningful or decisive times with God in your life?
Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
Painful experiences: What are the problems, hurts, and trials that you've learned from?

This things will help you find your place – where you fit in

Eph 4:7  But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Eph 4:11  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12  to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

6.  Only when everyone finds their place is the game finished

Eph 4:13  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

NLT Eph 4:13  until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

            What are we doing as a church - 

                        Worship – Discipleship – Evangelism

                        We would say it like this -  To see people:  Saved, Grow, Serve and Go!

The job is finished when everyone has    

7.  There are too many pieces missing in the game

            Can you still play – yes

            Is it as much fun?  - no

• Sometimes churches have gone on so long with so many pieces missing they don’t even realize there is something missing anymore
• Sometimes people get upset that they can’t find their place and just quit playing
• Sometimes people get forced into a slot where they don’t fit and quit playing
• Sometimes people get upset at the other pieces and quit playing – I’m taking my piece – my gift – and going home
• Sometimes people don’t even try to play – they sit on the side while everyone else is having a blast

The very thing they are looking for in life is right before them and they won’t even try.

            I’m looking for help

            I’m looking for hope

            I’m looking to belong

            I’m looking for someone to notice me

            I’m looking for someone to care

You have to join the game!