What I Learned from Playing Whack-a-Mole
Col. 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
I. Whack-A-Mole Beginners to Novice Level
A. Use both hands
B. Don't focus on one mole
Luke 18:18-21 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
C. You don’t have to be great just better than the competition
Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
II. Beating little kids caused me to rethink this one (and getting beat by little kids)
III. Intermediate to Advanced Level
A. Don't look at the competition, beat your personal best.
B. Don't look at score until the bell sounds.
C. Eventually he'll go back down whether you hit him or not.
D. Eventually he'll come back up whether you hit him or not.
E. You can't kill ‘em. At best a little of the paint gets worn off their heads.
IV. Left this Level Because
A. God said consider the others
Gal. 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
B. (The Prize I got was worthless. I spent $45 so I could get in a theme park and spend my time trying to win a stuffed mole worth $5.95.) Won’t Be Judged on how Clean I Am but by what Sort of Work I Did and My Faithfulness to It
1 Cor. 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1 Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Cor. 3:13; 4:2
V. Expert to Legend Level
A. All this whack-a-mole activity is making the crowds smaller at serious attractions.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
B. Playing Whack-a-Mole Keeps Me Focused on Moles
Rom. 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
C. A dead man can't play whack-a-mole
Rom. 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Conclusion: Eph 3:1-2
