The World's Most Popular Game

I Samuel 26:21

The title of this morning's message speaks of the 'World's Most Popular Game'. To determine which game this is, we might consider the game that is watched by the most people. If so, I am told that NASCAR racing is the most watched sport in the USA. Some might think it would be baseball, in Indiana we might suggest basketball, but certainly not football. From a world perspective, the game might be considered to be soccer. But I want us to consider the game that is played by the most people world-wide. I 'googled' the phrase, 'World's Most Popular Game' and it seems that Milton Bradley claims that it is Monopoly! Sony also lays claim to that title for their PlayStation2. With apologies to both Sony and Milton Bradley, I believe the Word of God gives us insight to the game played by more people throughout the ages than any other. This game then is without a doubt the "world's most popular game". What is it? Please note our text verse, 1 Samuel 26:21.

Did you catch that? Saul said, "I have sinned…I have played the fool."

Let's look at the context of this verse. Read: v6-12. Saul was hunting David, like a common criminal. He sets up camp and David and his men quietly enter the camp. When they find Saul sleeping, Abishai wants to kill him right where he lay. David refused to touch the anointed King of Israel, but they did take his spear and his cruse of water. Read: v13-16. David goes up on a mountain and calls out to Saul's chief bodyguard, Abner. It's as if he was telling Abner, 'Shame on you for not protecting your king from harm.' He asks him to look for the king's spear and his cruse. Read v17-21. Saul recognizes David's voice, and he also recognizes that if David was truly his enemy, he would have killed him when he had the chance. It is then that Saul admitted to his sin…he admitted to playing the fool!

For all of Saul's faults, he was at least willing to admit that he had sinned and had acted like a fool. He admitted to being a participant in the World's Most Popular Game. In the next few minutes I would like to share with you some thoughts about the person who sins and plays the fool.

I. The Person Who Sins Plays the Fool

III. The Person Who Builds Without Proper Foundation Plays the Fool.

III. The Person Who Puts Off Preparation for Eternity Plays the Fool