“SCRABBLE—COMMUNITY”
“SCRABBLE”
Romans 12:4-5
Games People Play Series
September 18, 2016
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson
Starting today we are beginning a new message series titled, “The Games People Play.” Throughout these next weeks we are going to look at some popular games and how they actually teach us some very important lessons about life; relationships; forgiveness; meaning.
This morning then we’re going to focus on one of my family’s favorite games Scrabble. It is a game that we often played together when our kids were younger and still at home. It is a game that often brings back memories of cold afternoons at home; vacations in my parent’s motor home; times on the North Shore when we played this game for hours.
Now there are some families I know who simply play games for fun. Some try to help each other; encourage learning; make sure that everyone feels like they did well and were victorious. Some people play games in a way where winning is not that important.
However that is not the Thompson family. Our kids love to win; they get that mostly from their mother. Therefore games in our home were often very competitive. There were often accusations that someone was cheating and not playing fair; as a result the exact rules often had to be looked up and read out loud.
Also when a certain word scored a lot of points; when someone won the game there was often some pretty obvious gloating and teasing of the losers that went on. Of course that often led to a rematch challenge where a new game with even more drive to win was initiated.
Now Scrabble is basically a giant crossword puzzle. It is where you use your random letters to build on your opponents letters (words) to try and gain the most points. Each time a turn is taken the board ends up completely different with new and interesting words.
This morning as you came into church you were given a letter. I’m going to give you 60-seconds to get together with some people around you to make a word. (pause) What words did you come up with? How many points?
Scrabble is a game that I believe illustrates some important lessons and reminders concerning life. First of all it reminds us of the importance of community. In other words you cannot win the game alone—you have to rely on each other.
The second lesson is the importance of being connected. You cannot put your words wherever you want; rather you must build on what other people have spelled out. You must be connected to what someone else has done in order to get points.
The third lesson is the importance of planning ahead. You always need to be looking at your 7-letters; thinking about word possibilities; trying to anticipate what others might do; planning on how you can build on certain scenarios. You always need to be thinking ahead.
In the Bible the Romans 12 chapter actually builds on these life lessons. In fact we could easily call this the “Scrabble passage.” The reason for this is because it communicates the importance of being in community; of being connected.
Romans 12:4-5 says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
The Apostle Paul (who wrote these words) focuses on the truth that life is to be centered in “we,” not “me.” In Scrabble it is not allowed at all to spell one letter words; you can't use use our favorite pronoun, “I.” The rule means it is more effective when we work with others.
Yet in our culture (world) today we are rather becoming more and more isolated. Lots of people are choosing “me” over “we.” Increasing numbers are getting more obsessed with things like am I getting what I deserve; am I getting my own way; are my kids getting the favoritism I want?
The Bible of course teaches that we are created to be relational beings. It teaches that God is relational; that God wants a relationship with us; that we are created in his image. Even the concept of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) models for us relational living.
It is true there are some today who say, “Yes, I’m a Christian but I don’t believe that I need to be connected to any church.” This is becoming a popular “me” centered thinking; people who think they can be good Christians outside of God’s community; outside of the church.
Yet that makes about as much sense as a goalie saying, “I’m a goalie, but I don’t want to be part of a team.” It makes about as much sense as a quarterback saying, “I want to be a quarterback without a team—without any blockers, runners, ends to catch passes.”
Romans 12:4-5 says that the Body of Christ is to function like the human body. It stresses that each part is as important as the next. It reminds us that you can’t do it yourself; you can't kick someone out who bothers you; whatever. All parts are needed.
Passages like Romans 12 (1 Corinthians 12) teach us that when all the parts work together it is a fine tuned machine. When one suffers we all come together to provide care and support. When one rejoices we all celebrate. Together with each other we are meant to look like Jesus who is the head of the body.
In the game of Scrabble as we draw out letters it is sometimes difficult to make a word; we just don’t have the good letters like someone else. That sometimes also happens in life. Perhaps some of you are having a difficult time accepting who you are. Perhaps you are tempted to compare yourself with others; with the good letters (the good life; gifts; whatever) they have.
Romans 12 therefore reminds us to be thankful; to be glad that God created you the way you are. Paul encourages you to use your individual gifts rather than wasting your time wishing you had what others have. God designed each person for a specific role and purpose. If we were all the same it would be like playing Scrabble with everyone having one letter; like the letter “T.”
Another important lesson in the game of Scrabble is that you can often use your less than wonderful letters to build on a word; to build on the letters (words) which other participants provided. Oftentimes you can make your measly letters (lots of vowels) score big points when you add to a word which others have started.
That of course is also very true in the church of Jesus Christ. If you feel insignificant; if you feel that your gifts aren’t that great you need to be aware that when you join with others in Christ’s church; when you join with people at Messiah (other church) you become a vital part of the whole.
You may feel your gift of money is minimal; yet together with many other people’s gifts it is significant. While some individuals may have certain gifts of leadership (planning; implementing new ideas); these gifts mean nothing if there aren’t also the people who have the gifts of doing hands-on work; carrying out the behind the scenes support.
My hope and prayer is that each one of you can see how your particular letters (how your special gifts and involvement) build on all the things others do to make the church the body Christ calls us to be. Each one of you is an integral part of this place; of the mission we share together.
One more important lesson using the game of Scrabble. It is very obvious when playing this game that the more letters (words) that are added to the board the more word possibilities (combinations) are available. The more letters added the more exciting the game becomes.
This lesson is also true in the church of Jesus Christ. If the body of Christ is going to stay dynamic (vital) we always need new people (new gifts) to come in. That is why God has called you to use your gifts (talents) to reach out and invite (help bring) new people into his church.
We definitely become stronger (have more new ideas and possibilities) when new people (gifts; talents; visions) are added to our church. It is important to remember that whether we are new to this church (have been involved for many years) we are always at our best when we share with others in community; connections; with our purpose firmly centered in Jesus.
There is a story about a person dying and standing before the pearly gates of heaven. At this gate there was a sign—“Entry: 500 Points.” As St. Peter greets this person he asks, “Why do you think you deserve to come into heaven.?”
This person responds, “Well, I’ve been a member of a church all my life. I’ve taught Sunday School, served on the Council and some committees; prayed most every day; have been faithful in giving a tithe of my income; etc.” Peter says, “That’s great! Each one of these really good things is worth 10-points.”
“10-points!” this person exclaims. “If that’s all the points I get for my faithful church involvement, then no one can get into heaven, but by the grace of God.” Peter replies, “Yes, it’s all by the grace of God, given in Jesus, that anyone is saved. He is worth 500 points. Come on in to Jesus’ gift of heaven.”
It is definitely true in the game of life that the name Jesus is the only word; the only name needed. No other name; no other works; no other road will do. When you know him as your friend everything fits together perfectly. Jesus is truly the only word and name you need.
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