A Unique Game of Cards

A Unique Game of Cards
Rom 12:1-8
8/28

† In the Name of Jesus †

Grace, mercy and peace be yours, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ!

During this week, two things seem to dominate my time, besides writing this sermon. Yet, they would both become integral parts of this sermon. I gave a lot of thought this week, to the strengths of our congregation, and how we can use those strengths in ministering to each other, and to our communities. Our reading from Romans really deals a lot with encouraging us, to use those gifts each of us has been given, in service to God and the community He has placed us in.

The other thing that dominated my time, was the game of solitaire.

You see, I had a lot of waiting to do this week, as I waited for AAA to come and rescue me from two flat ties, and then time at the tire store, and then sitting around in the doctor’s office. I had my little handheld computer with me, and so, bored, I would play solitaire. Solitaire is one of those games that is addictive, simply because it is so frustrating! I think I figured out, I can win one out of every 7 or 8 games.

So, when looking for a good illustration to support what Romans 12:1-8 teaches, solitaire had already been on my mind a bit. I realized that solitaire is a pretty decent illustration of both the relationship we have with God, described in the first couple of verses, and the way the church works interpedently, under God’s guidance; as described in the rest of the passage.

AS we get into the illustration, here is basically how it works. The dealer, and solitaire player, is God. It is He who will decide how and when and where the cards will be played. We are cards, no two exactly alike in make-up or the gifts we are given. We may share different aspects of our nature with others. The game is our lives, and the goal is victory, everyone in his or her place, put there by the hand of our Master.

The Deck Made Ready
Pierced through?
Another piercing

As we begin Romans 12, the Apostle Paul starts, not by commanding us to do this or that, but appealing to our relationship with God. Hear the words again,

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy,

In the previous 11 chapters, Paul has focused on the history of our relationship with God; specifically the mercy of God. The mercy that takes us, who were enemies, and in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, made us again, His people. I think I can explain how it works, using this deck of cards.

Most of you know, that I am fairly cheap, and a few years ago, I came across a very cheap way to get decks of cards. That particular day, as I was walking through a casino’s gift shop…. Uhm I was there, not to gamble – but for dinner and to see Kansas in concert, I came across these barrels filled with decks of cards, they were 25 cents a deck, or five decks for a buck. Apparently, once a deck of cards is used in a casino, it becomes worthless. Apparently, the deck is now considered marked or marred, and because of that, they drill a hole in the deck, piercing it through. Such a mark means the deck is never to be used again.

Except by cheap preachers who like to play cards, and figured they might become a sermon illustration someday. Consider this verse, from 1 Corinthians,

20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Our lives were so much like a tossed aside and pierced deck of cards. Marred and marked by our sin, we deserved to be tossed into a bin, discarded and worthless. God comes along, and purchases us, by allowing Jesus to be pierced for us. Isaiah prophesied this 700 years before Jesus came,
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

It still amazes me, that our God, chooses to use us, to take that which was worthless, and give us worth… . and then, as only a master can, He uses that worth.

The Game
Card Value (
Card Movement (gifts)

Starting in verse 6 of the reading, we see a description of the deck.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

Can you imagine playing solitaire, if there were two jacks of spades? And no 2 of hearts? Some of us may seem similar to each other, as the 5 of diamonds and 5 of hearts would, but even then, they are not the same. We each have a different set of gifts, and a different role in the church. 1 Corinthians 12 also has much to say on this, and it makes it quite clear, it is the Holy Spirit that determines who has which gifts, and indeed, sets it up that we minister to each other, using our gifts at just the right time.

That is why Paul says be soberminded about yourself. Having one gift or another doesn’t make you special, because God is the one responsible for giving it to you. Each gift, each person is needed in turn. So while you might, or might not have a more prominent gift, that gift is interdependent on other gifts before it can be used.

Back to the solitaire deck. Need a few volunteers. You’re a jack, you’re the queen, you’re the 10, and you’re the King, and I am the joker! Now everyone knows the King is the highest ranking card in the deck right? But if we are playing solitaire, the King cannot achieve the victory, it cannot be placed in home, until these other cards are moved there. Instead the King just sits and waits, until it is his turn, then he proclaims victory! Can you imagine if one of the cards in the deck said, hey,I am not going to allow myself to be played today, because I got in to late last night? Or, you know, I don’t care about this order thing, I am going to jump right into victory? Or even more subtle, I am the 4 of clubs, but I don’t like that 5, so I am going to wait until my friend, the 9 of spades comes bye, then I will let her come next to me, and I will support her. Or even, I don’t like being the 8 of hearts, so I am going to pretend I am the Jack of clubs!

In church, like in the game of solitaire, we are interdependent on each other. In fact, God has given each of us, to each other as gifts. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He wills, in order that the work of God can be completed in that church, and in its community. Think about it, most of us have trouble negotiating a 52 card deck – imagine if it were 90, or 200, or the Billion Christians in the world today, or the Billions throughout History. That is the job of our Master, on which He does, and wins, because of Jesus, our Messiah.

So indeed, be eager to do work around here. Find out what your gifts are, don’t assume, but pray and come talk about it with me, or the elders. Use them in consideration of those around you, for ultimately, gifts are used, not to glorify the user, but instead to glorify God, and serve the church and the community with them. Use them in faith, not because you have to, or because you feel guilty if you do not, but instead, realize the wondrous things that God is desiring for you to do, by the power of the Holy Spirit. See how it works, in conjunction with the other gifts we see used in this church.

The Victory
All Cards, united in Victory
At the Table, we see this

Someday, we shall see the victory, of all of us, in Heaven before the throne of God, worshipping Him in all of His majesty, in all of His glory. We shall all be there, united in Christ, heirs of the Victory over sin and satan and death. That is an incredible vision, a lot better than just seeing 52 cards lieing in order, at the middle of your desk, or computer screen.

It is a victory worth working towards, always remembering the incredible grace and mercy of God, which enables you to work in His presence, doing the work He has called you, and gifted you, to do. BY the way, that is what true worship is, a response too the love of God, using what He has given us, to do that which He has called us to do. To use our hearts, and hands and voices, our time, our treasure and our talents, in working in His kingdom, to bring Home the harvest of people, whom He has also called.

There is for us today, a small glimpse of that glory, a small glimpse of the grace of God, flowing over all of us. It is, as we partake in our Lord’s Supper. For there, we are equal, for there, God’s gifts of grace, love, forgiveness, mercy, all flow over us – not as individuals, but as a body, His body. As Paul says,

15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 1 Corinthians 10:15-18 (ESV)

SO my brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoice in the love of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, and calls us to be one body, with many gifts, but one body together, in Christ.

And may His peace, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts, and minds, in Christ Jesus!