Games People Play: Life
Craig Finnestad and Holly Baker
July 22nd, 2007
When Craig told his story about using Soft Scrub in the shower to clean himself, could you relate when he asked the question: There's got to be more to life?
Could you relate when he said that his second shower was a good one and we get second chances in life?
Are you looking for a second or third or fourth chance?
John 10:10
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
What do you think about Jesus' comments about life?
Consider the two Greek words for life.
bios – A heart that beats and lungs that breath
zoe - A full, active, and vigorous life that is devoted to God.
Jesus uses the word "zoe" -- does this surprise you?
Fun without fulfillment is shallowness. Fulfillment without fun is purposeful boredom that is not sustainable. Fun and fulfillment is God’s plan for our lives. Our lives can also be forever.
What are you needing more of in life -- fun or fulfillment?
Ingredient # 1 – Fun
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Philippians 4:4
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Have you thought much about the relationship between fun and Christianity?
Fun is God’s idea
Do you agree with the above statement? Why or not?
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. –John Piper
What is the relationship between our satisfaction in God and how God is glorified in us?
John 15:10-11
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
How have you experienced the relationship between following God and experiencing joy?
Ten Commandments Revisited
One. You shall have no other gods before me...other gods cannot do anything for you. I am the one who brought you out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God, and you shall not give anyone else my place in your hearts.
Two. No more golden calves. You look silly bowing down to little statues that you yourselves have made, and besides, you don't need them. [They don't serve you.] You have me.
Three. Don't throw my name around. My name is a very personal thing, and the fact that you know mine at all is a sign of our closeness. Do not abuse the privilege.
Four. Keep the Sabbath, not for my sake but for yours. One day a week, stop working and remember that you are more than what you do.
Five. Honor your father and mother. Whatever job they did on you, they are your roots. Lose them and you will lose your place in the story.
Six. Don't murder. However dubious it may seem to you, all life is precious to me, including yours. Until you can make it, don't take it.
Seven. Don't mess around with marriage vows, your own or anyone else's. Sticking with one person is the best chance you have got of growing up.
Eight. Don't take what doesn't belong to you. Life may not be fair, but that doesn't mean that you [don't have] to be.
Nine. Don't give your word on things you know aren't true. Your word is as much a part of you as your arm or your leg. Twist it and you will limp. Why would you want to do that to yourself?
Ten. Don't fondle other people's things in your mind as if they were your own. You'll not only resent them for having things; you'll soon resent yourself for not having them too. Learn to want what you have and pretty soon you will have what you want.
Which of these Ten Commandments spoke to you?
Do you see how these commandments are God's way of telling us that he loves us?
The desire to be happy is a proper motive for every good deed, and if you abandon the pursuit of your own joy, you cannot fully love people or please God.
What do you think of the above statement?
Ingredient # 2 - Fulfillment
It’s kind of like when you go on vacation. You plan everything out, but then one day you make a wrong turn or take a detour and you end up in some crazy place you can’t find on the map doing something you never thought you’d do. Maybe you feel a little lose while it’s happening, but later you realize it was the best part of the whole trip.
What do you think of the above statement?
Isaiah 26:3, “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” (TEV)
What fulfills you?
What is your purpose?
Ingredient # 3 - Forever
Pascal's Wager
If you live as though God does not exist.
If God exists, you go to hell: your loss is infinite.
If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing.
If you live as though God exists.
If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing.
If God exists, you go to heaven: your gain is infinite.
How does Pascal's Wager speak to you?
Matthew 19:25-26
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Salvation is grace – not because of what we do, but because of what God has done, is doing, and will do
How is salvation possible?
Romans 10:9-11
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
What is necessary for salvation?
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What is the promise of salvation?
