United Church of God

Rayman and the Game

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Rayman and the Game

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Rayman and the Game

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In the game of Rayman, a game for XBOX, the hero sets out on a difficult but achievable task. Meeting with many trials and failures, Rayman is afforded the opportunity to overcome each obstacle with another try, until, finally, he achieves success. In the game of life, we are given the goal to overcome all obstacles and win. This game only requires that we never give up.

Sermon Notes

PRESENTER'S NOTES

This past December I bought a video game for the family to provide some entertainment for us over the winter break. The name of the game is, “Rayman Origins”, and it’s set up as a two-dimensional arcade style program, where you are primarily moving left to right

As the game begins, the user develops skills in using the proper control buttons on the handset, and Rayman has some very basic skills. Every level has it’s dangers, and when those dangers overwhelm Rayman, he becomes “bubblized”, and has to restart the level or some checkpoint within the level. As the levels progress, they become more difficult, but as Rayman achieves his objectives, he develops more skills. And, eventually, though none in the Irvin household have reached that point, yet, Rayman will achieve the goals of the game… IF… he does not quit.

Not all games are designed that way. Many types of games are designed to have competing opponents or opposing teams. No matter how hard one tries; no matter how determined; no matter how positive minded, only one side wins.

Like many video games, Rayman, on the other hand, is designed to have an achievable goal for it’s intended audience. As long as the user does not become bored or frustrated with the game… and keeps trying… all levels will be achieved and Rayman will save his community from the substance of bad dreams. Additionally, extra levels for achievement can be made available to Rayman depending on how much effort he expends above and beyond minimum requirements to reach each goal.

In other words, Rayman does not have to find every secret room, every piece of gold, save every prisoner, or “bubblize” every dangerous character, to win the game. As long as he gets past every dangerous character or obstacle, acquires minimum amounts of gold, rescues enough prisoners and reaches the intended destination, he moves on to each new level, eventually overcoming every level, and ultimately wins the game.

Mark 4:20 "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it , and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

In John 16, Jesus begins to explain in general His coming death, that He would be leaving, that He would send the Holy Spirit, that His followers would suffer for His name’s sake.

John 16:26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We are taught further that this is not a mindless game. We don’t just confess the name of Christ, but participate in a life that emulates the behavior of Christ.

Please turn to…

I John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world––our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 2:26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations––

In the game of Rayman Origins, if I quit playing for any reason, I simply won’t win the game and will simply miss the feeling of accomplishment one can have when they complete any task. I simply will not know what adventure may have lay ahead at the next level. It is, after all, just a game designed for a player’s entertainment.

But, in this game we call life, you and I have been invited to participate on a level not found, except by invitation of the Father, and not entered except by the narrow Way; Jesus Christ. If we enter by the narrow way, this game does not become deadly, no matter how many times we become “bubblized” in striving to overcome.

Those who do not play the game, who follow the broad path, will not be in the first resurrection. If we enter through the narrow way, we enter into the way of life eternal. That is the gift offered to those who run the race, who play the game, and do not quit.
 
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

There is no other way at this time to receive the gift, except we play the game to it’s completion. Christ has already overcome the world, so the game is “fixed”, designed for you and me to win. So, we must not sleep. We must not lose interest. We must not grow weary. To win the game, We. MUST. Play.