Competition

Competition
We are beginning a new series of messages today entitled, “Can’t We All Just Get Along?” In many ways, this seems to be easier said than done.

We are not alone
Think about the journey that God has put us on. We begin at birth, pass through life on this earth and end up at death. In and of itself, that wouldn’t really be that difficult. But then He says, “Oh, one other thing. I’m going to throw a bunch of other people into the mix. You’ll have to get around them.” That adds an incredible degree of difficulty to the task. It changes everything drastically. In good and bad ways.

I wouldn’t do hurtful or selfish things if there were no other people around. I wouldn’t lie if there were no one to lie to. I wouldn’t steal if there were no one to steal from. I wouldn’t lust, I wouldn’t kill, I wouldn’t envy, I wouldn’t be jealous, I wouldn’t argue. Like Adam said, “The woman, who You gave me…” Things would be a whole lot easier without all these other people on the planet.

But, of course, that’s the deal. We do have to navigate our way through life with a whole bunch of other people navigating their way through life. Getting along with others is what it is all about. You cannot fulfill the commandments of God without dealing with other people in the process.

A walk through the church
During the week, I have occasion to walk around in this church all the time. I can get from the Children’s Wing to my office in about a minute, no sweat. But between services on a Sunday morning, that same walk can take me a half an hour. Sometimes going five feet can take me a half an hour. Because people have been added to the mix. It changes everything. And, you know what? I enjoy the walk much more on Sundays than during the week.

THREE PART PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Your spiritual life must consider other people into the mix. That adds challenge and it also adds joy. Consider this three part plan for spiritual growth:

· Weekend Service.
Consistently attend a weekend service and stay connected to the larger group. Stay in step with where we’re going.

· Small Group.
Find a place, or places, that fit for you. We have small groups that involve interacting with Sunday’s message, going deeper in a particular topic of interest, serving in the church or outside the church, or enjoying a common interest. You can even start your own small group.

· Life Journal.
You also need time alone with God throughout your week. The Life Journal is a great way for you to do that.

KEEPING SCORE

Today we are going to talk about COMPETITION, and how it affects relationships along our journey. I love the scripture reading for today because it reminds us that disciples of Jesus are real people, just like us.

Mark 9:33-35 (NKJV) 33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

I think this is very interesting and would have loved to have been there to listen in on the disciples’ conversation. Because I have been a part of these same types of conversations many, many times. These were guys talking about how great they think they are.

Peter might have made his case: “I’m the one who spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ.’ Remember, Jesus said I heard directly from God.” Then the other disciples may have said, “Yeah, and then He said to you, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!’

James and John may have said, “What about His great nickname for us: Sons of Thurnder.” And they others said, “Come on, you know that’s because your dad is a loudmouth!”

Matthew made his case next: “I’m the one who left a high-paying job to follow Jesus. I’ll be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” But then he would hear, “It may have been high-paying, but you were a hated tax collector. It couldn’t be you.”

One by one the cases would have been made and then shot down. Do you know who would have probably had the strongest case of all? It was the one who could say, “He lets me carry the money bag and take care of all the finances. Obviously He trusts me the most.” It was Judas Iscariot who could have brought the strongest case.

What’s your case? Do you have reason to believe that you’re just a little more spiritual than someone else? Do you have any sense of spiritual pride or arrogance? Remember Judas.

Women are competitive too
And let’s get something straight. You women may sit there thinking, “Yes. Men are so competitive. Why are they like that?” Women are just as competitive, or even more. Maybe not when it comes to achievement or accomplishment, but women are often more competitive than men when it comes to relationships. You can’t kid me.

So, what’s wrong with competition?

1. Competition threatens community.
Notice that, when Jesus asked them what they were disputing about on the road, it says, “But they all kept silent.” Why? Because they knew it wasn’t a good, healthy conversation. Where were all the claims of greatness now?
They were hoping that He hadn’t noticed; that He didn’t know it was going on. But He did. If you think that He doesn’t notice the disputes and divisions that you are having with other people, you’re wrong too. He knows.

· Competition is defined by opposition.
Without opposition, there is no competition.

· Community is defined by cooperation.
Community, on the other hand, is defined by cooperation. It is different people, doing their best at what they do, not to oppose someone else but to cooperate with them.

2. Competition is contagious.
It spreads like a disease. When introduced into a body where there should be cooperation, competition can quickly shut things down.
What’s going on?
Competition is a sure sign of insecurity. When we are insecure about ourselves we have to prove that we are better than someone else.
What had happened just before this incident in scripture was this: A man brought his sick son to the disciples and they could not heal him. They tried. They should have been able to, but they couldn’t. Jesus came onto the scene, found that they had failed and He healed the sick boy.
Have you ever noticed how your own insecurities fuel your need to be better than someone else? Then you have to show yourself and others that you are? That is destructive competition at work. When you see it in yourself you can stop it.

· There is no place for competition in the church.
The Church is a Body. Competition has no place within a church or among churches.
You or I have no position of privilege over anyone else.

Galatians 2:6 (NKJV) 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.
And we are not to show no privilege to anyone else.

James 2:9 (NKJV) 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

· There is no place for competition in marriage.
Scripture says that in marriage husband and wife are ‘one flesh’. One of the most common problems within marriage is competition. It eats it alive.
How is there competition within a marriage? It’s when we begin to keep score. “I do more in this marriage than you do.” “I contribute more to this marriage than she does.” “I sacrifice more in this marriage than he does.” “I suffer more…” “I deserve better…” This is how competition sneaks into marriage to destroy it. Don’t let it happen.

Marriage is not 50/50
One of the most destructive myths ever is that ‘Marriage is 50/50’, because it’s not. If anyone ever told you that, they lied. If marriage is 50/50, than it causes us to keep score. “I think I’m at 76 and he’s only at 24.” Stop keeping score.
Marriage is 100% no matter what. That’s what real marriage is.

3. Competition has a cure.
Jesus knew the disciple’s problem and He also knew their solution. If you are struggling with competitiveness in relationships with others, His words are for you today.

· The cure to competition is serving.
The solution is to serve. How different would my life be if I could stop trying to come out on top and start serving others? It would be huge! How much less anxiety would I have if I stop worrying about who is dressed prettier than me, or who is making more money than me and just serve people. There is real freedom and health for your relationships.