Such as I Have

This is the manuscript of the second sermon in the "Thanksgiving to God and Thanksgiving for God" series leading up to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, preached at Christ Church in November 12, 2023.

Luke records in the book of Acts the visit of Peter and John to the temple, where they healed a man who had been lame from birth. This man was a beggar who came to the temple every day to beg for money so that he could survive. Peter’s response must have sounded strange.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (‭Acts‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV)‬

Then he reached down and helped the man up and a miracle happened not only did the man learn to walk, remember he was lame from birth, but he also learned to leap.

We learn a powerful lesson from this. We are to do “what we can with what we have where we are and never have to wait for the perfect time or opportunity or for greater abilities or resources.

Scripture Reading

‭Acts‬ ‭3:1‭-‬10‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. [6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Introduction

Last week our text was 

Exodus‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NIV‬ [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

Last week we said that Moses’ rod is a symbol. Like David’s small sling, and the 5 loaves and 2 fish that fed more than 5000.   The symbolism is that what we have, little as it  may be or seem, can be used tremendously if we will freely and willingly give it to the Lord. 

The book of Acts takes up the story of Christianity where the Gospels leave off. AfterJesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came in a unique way, and the apostles moved forward dynamically and daringly to tell the story of the risen Christ.             

Of course, the book of Acts tells only a few of the many wonderful events that must have occurred. The Holy Spirit led Luke to record the visit of Peter and John to the temple, where they healed a man who had been lame from birth. This man was a beggar who came to the temple everyday to beg for money so that he could survive.

‭Acts‬ ‭3:1‭-‬3‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 

Peter’s response, which is our text for today must have sounded pretty strange. 

Text:   

‭Acts‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV‬  [6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 

Then Peter reached down and helped the man up and a miracle happened. Not only did the man learn to walk, remember he was lame from birth, but he also learned to leap.  

We learn a powerful lesson from this event. We learn that we are to do “what we can with what we have, where we are, and we learn that we never have to wait for the perfect time or perfect opportunity or for greater abilities or resources.  We just need to use what we have and rely on God for the result.                           

I. Money isn’t everything.

               

Too often when we talk about stewardship, we think of money. It is thrilling to see a story where money is not the most important thing. In fact, Peter came close to minimizing money. He said plainly, “Silver and gold have I none” and then he proceeded to do what he needed to do to see the miracle in this man’s life.

               

There may come a time in the life of a church or a religious organization when money can actually be a stumbling block. 

Thomas Aquinas, who was a priest in the 18th century, once visited the pope and was shown all the treasures of the Roman Church. The pope said to Thomas, “Well, Thomas, no longer can the church say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’ ” Thomas replied, “Yes, Holy Father, but have you ever thought that the church is in danger of also not being able to say, ‘In the name ofJesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk’?” 

We must be careful today not to evaluate our churches in terms of budgets alone. We have to be careful, very careful, to keep our priorities correct!              

II. However, we must never forget that money is important.

               

What Thomas Acquinis said is true, but something else is also true. It takes money—cold, hard cash—to carry on God’s work in today’s world.

               

God’s Word says a lot about how we should be stewards or managers of material possession including money.  Chapters 8 and 9 of Paul’s second letter to the Corithians are devoted to the matter of giving.

‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭NIV‬ [7] But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

He pointed out that our supreme example in giving is the Lord Jesus Christ who, though rich, became poor so that through his poverty we might become rich.

‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:9‬ ‭NIV‬ [9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

God has given some people the ability to make “big money.” Their duty is to set a significant part of that money for the work of the gospel. 

There is a spiritual gift of giving which is;

The divine enablement and ability to contribute money and material resources to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and liberality. People with this gift give generously, freely, and joyfully. They don't just give money, but they are free with all of their possessions. They are not always the "rich" among us but they are often given the ability for making money and increasing wealth even though they have no interest in possessions themselves. They give above and beyond their normal tithe in order to support Christ's Church. They see themselves as caretakers and stewards of their resources and they usually prefer anonymity when they give.

Beyond the regular response of gratitude to God that all believers make, those with the gift of giving can discern the best ways to put money and talents to work.

A perfect scriptural example of the gift of giving is the story of The Good Samaritan. In this story, not only is the Samaritan generous with his money, time, and resources – but he also knows exactly how to use his resources in a way that best helps the beaten man with a short-term care plan and long-term care plan.

‭Luke‬ ‭10:33‭-‬35‬ ‭NIV‬ [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

In Old Testament days, the tithe or the tenth was the minimum. In fact, counting all of the special offerings and supplementary tithes, the Old Testament Israelites were commanded to give far more than a tithe.

 Make no mistake about it, money is important! We live in a world far different from that of Peter, John, and Paul. There was, of course, a monetary system in that day, but money is far more essential as a means of exchange than it has ever been before in the world. 

               

III. What do you have?

Some people get uptight in church when you talk about money . Yet the Bible promises God’s blessing if we will give to the Lord.

Here's what Paul wrote 

‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬ [6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [9] As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” [10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

We cannot outgive God. Giving to God is a privilege. Giving to God is a joy. And it pleases God when we invest in His kingdom.

It also pleases God when we are witnesses for Him. Every Christian is a witness. But before we can effectively witness for God, we must first walk with God. It is the overflow of our lives.

Whether we use the terms talents and abilities or gifts when we speak of what we have to offer God in service, we must answer the question “What do I have to offer my Lord?”The next question is:  “Am I willing to give myself—including my talents, abilities, gifts and money—to be used anyway God sees fit?”

For some Christians, it’s a big deal to talk about their faith. But if we’re walking with God and our lives are pleasing to Him, we will find that Jesus overflows into our lives. One of the greatest compliments a nonbeliever can pay a believer is when they say, “I don’t know what you believe. I don’t know what it is about you that makes you the way that you are. And I don’t know where you get this special something. But whatever it is, I want it.”

That is when we can say, “Let me tell you about my faith in Jesus Christ.”                          

Conclusion

Everyone who believes in Christ and is dedicated to him has great possessions. They are, however, spiritual resources. We should find our greatest joy in sharing the gospel with others by our lives as well as our testimony.  However, this does not relieve us from the responsibility of supporting God’s work financially. We cannot avoid our responsibility in financial things by rationalizing that we are “spiritual” and therefore are not required to bring financial gifts. 

In the Old Testament, even the Levites gave tithes of the tithes. 

‭Numbers‬ ‭18:21‭-‬26‬ ‭NIV‬ [21] “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. [22] From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. [23] It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. [24] Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’ ” [25] The Lord said to Moses, [26] “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering. 

On the other hand, giving money does not release us from the duty of serving in other ways. Stewardship involves both finances and lifestyle. It is not a case of “either/or.” Time, talent, tithe, influence—all that we have belongs to God, and such as I have I should give.

Let’s pray:

Holy God,

We stand in awe before you because you are so willing to take us as we are. Forgive us for holding ourselves apart because we have believed the falsehood that we need to be strong before we come to you. You sent your son Jesus to intercede for us and because of that we can come with confidence before you. Here we are, Lord. Broken, bruised, and looking for belonging. We find everything we need in you and such as we have we give to you. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Give what You have to God

 

This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church, Sunday November 5, 2023.

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. (‭Exodus‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NIV)

Excuses are seldom, if ever, the real reasons why we hold back and refuse to accept God’s will for our lives. The main problem is that it means we must accept responsibility, and few people are eager to do it. We are only responsible for what we have. It doesn't matter if it's a little or a lot.

Moses’ rod is a symbol. Like David’s small sling, what we have, little though it may be or seem, can be used tremendously if we will give it unreservedly to the Lord. The small boy had only five loaves and two fish, but he gave them to the Master, and he used it to feed more than 5000 people.

God will take care of us if we are faithful in doing our duty, whether it be the bringing of financial gifts for God’s work or by laying ourselves on the altar for service—or both.

Scripture Reading

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:1‭-‬8‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. [3] The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. [4] Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. [5] “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” [6] Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. [7] “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. [8] Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. 

      

               

 Introduction

Text:

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NIV‬ [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

We all know the story of Moses how he was put in a basket on the Nile river in Egypt and was found by Pharaoh's daughter, nursed by his own mother, and raised in the palace of Pharaoh as a prince.  But he suffered a big come down. At one time, he enjoyed the trappings of royalty, but at the time of our Scripture reading, he was looking after sheep in the desert.               

               

So what happened? 

He had tried to run ahead of God. Can you imagine Moses' mother during his formative years, telling him that he should remember he was a Hebrew and that someday God would raise up someone to deliver the Hebrews from bondage? 

As the years passed, Moses may have felt that he was the one God had chosen to do the job. The mistake he made was that one day when he saw an Egyptian oppressing a Hebrew, he killed him and buried his body in the sand. Later, fearing discovery, he ran and fled the land of Egypt, in other words, he split.

‭Exodus‬ ‭2:11‭-‬15‬ ‭NIV‬ [11] One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. [12] Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. [13] The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” [14] The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.” [15] When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. 

What a terrible price Moses paid and we often pay for our impatience and hotheadedness!

               

However, God had not forgotten Moses and He won't forget us. 

‭Exodus‬ ‭3:1‭-‬6‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. [2] There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. [3] So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” [4] When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” [5] “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” [6] Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Here before the burning bush God was ready at last to send Moses into the service he had planned for him.  Like that scripture we like to quote 

‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NIV‬ [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

For Moses the forty years’ in the desert, as a fugitive and exile, served as a great learning experience for the man who would later lead his fellow Hebrews throughout this very same desert.

I. The life of Moses shows us that God uses people to partner with Him.

                

God could have reached down with his strong hand and rescued his chosen people, the Israelites, any way he wanted to. There is no limit to what God can do! 

God could send angels to announce his message of salvation through the sky if he wanted to. But he doesn’t want to do it that way! God partners with people to do his work. 

Let me give you an analogy.  An analogy is  a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.  Sort of like the parables that Jesus used as he taught.  A parable is a short narrative illustrating a lesson by comparison or analogy.”   So here’s my analogy for  how God wants the message of salvation announced throughout the world. 

When Jesus returned to heaven, all of the angels turned out to greet him. He explained to them the plan of salvation, how he had died and had risen from the grave, and that now salvation was possible for all the world. They were all rejoicing until one angel said, “But, Jesus, how will the world know what you’ve done?” He replied, “I told my friends to tell others and those others will tell still others, and the message will be told around the world.” The angel asked, “But suppose they don’t do it? Suppose they are too busy or too careless—what then? How will the world know about you?” Jesus paused for a moment, looked down, then raised his eyes and said, “They’re my friends. They won’t disappoint me. I have no other plan!”

‭Matthew‬ ‭28:16‬ ‭NIV‬ [16] Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So many of us have excuses like Moses had at first but

                          

II. God supplies answers for our excuses.

               

Notice Moses’ excuses and how God responded to them. 

When God’s call first came, Moses seems to have had an identity crisis. 

‭Exodus‬ ‭3:10‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬ [10] So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” [11] But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

God did not respond to that question by telling Moses who he, Moses was, He responded by telling him that He,  God Almighty, would be with him.  

‭Exodus‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬ [12] And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

 

We will never discover the full truth about ourselves until we commit the abilities and talents God has already given us.                 

Next Moses wanted to make sure that he had the authority to go to accomplish the task.

‭Exodus‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NIV‬ [13] Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

Here’s God’s response to that excuse.

‭Exodus‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NIV‬ [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

In other words you have all the authority that you need Moses.  

To further emphasize the point God worked two miracles. 

We read about them in our scripture this morning.  He turned Moses rod into a snake and back into a rod,  He made Moses hand leperous when he put it inside his cloak and then cured him when he put his hand inside his cloak again.

Yes, God will provide a miracle if we need it, but he will only do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. 

Moses then said he wasn’t eloquent and again God promised to be with him.

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:10‭-‬12‬ ‭NIV‬ [10] Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” [11] The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? [12] Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Moses finally said Lord send somebody else.  God took care of that excuse too.

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:13‭-‬16‬ ‭NIV‬ 13] But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” [14] Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. [15] You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. [16] He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 

Finally, Moses gives up.

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:18‭-‬20‬ ‭NIV‬ [18] Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.” Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.” [19] Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” [20] So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

Excuses are seldom, if ever, the real reasons why we hold back and refuse to accept God’s will for our lives. The main problem is that to accept God’s will in our lives we must accept responsibility, and few people are eager to do that but remember we are only responsible for what we have in terms of gifts, talent or resources.  We are not responsible for what we don't have.

                          

Go back to the text;

‭Exodus‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NIV‬ [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

               

Moses’ rod is a symbol. Like David’s small sling, what we have, little though it may be or seem, can be used tremendously if we will freely and willingly give it to the Lord. The young boy had only five loaves and two fish, but he gave them to the Jesus and he used it to feed more than 5000 people. 

‭Matthew‬ ‭14:15‭-‬21‬ ‭NIV‬ [15] As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” [16] Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” [17] “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. [18]  “Bring them here to me,” he said. [19] And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. [20] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [21] The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Conclusion

What motivated Moses to a life commitment? Two things seem to have merged. First, he saw the need. Second, he knew that, in God, he already had resources available. These two things should also lead and encourage.  God will take care of us if we are faithful in doing our duty, whether it be the bringing of financial gifts for God’s work or by laying ourselves on the altar for service—or both.

Prayer 

Thank You, God, for Your personal calling for each of us. May we find joy and blessing in following Your specific plan for each of us; may we encourage one another in our callings.

Use us, Lord, for all those who are seeking after you. Use our ears, so that we may hear those who are crying for help because they live in constant fear. Use our tongues, so Iwe may confess our sins, Lord, then we can give testimony to the world of your goodness. Use our arms, so we may reach out — and gather up those who are lost who doubt your goodness and mercy. Use all of us Lord to declare salvation to the world.   In Jesus’ name Amen

Sermon Audio

Stop Playing Church

This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church, Sunday October 29, 2023.

John‬ ‭4:23‭-‬24‬ ‭NIV‬ [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

To worship God in spirit and truth means loving Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34‭-‬38‬ ‭NIV‬ [34] Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. [35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. 

True worship must be “in spirit,” engaging the whole heart which is the source of our emotions.   Unless there’s a real passion for God, there is no worship in spirit. At the same time, worship must be “in truth,”.  We must know who we worship.  Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth.  We get that knowledge of the truth from the Bible, God’s Word.  

Jesus said that it's the truth that makes us free.

John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Scripture:

‭John‬ ‭4:15‭-‬26‬ ‭NIV‬ [15] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” [16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” [17] “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” [19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. [20] Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” [21]  “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” [25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” [26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Text

‭John‬ ‭4:23‭-‬24‬ ‭NIV‬ [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The scripture that I read this morning and our text for today was from part of a conversation that Jesus had with a woman at a well in Samaria.   In the conversation, Jesus revealed that He knew this woman had been married five times, and the guy she was living with now was not her husband. This made her uncomfortable, so she changed the subject from her personal life to religion, asking why the Samaritans worshiped at Mount Gerizim and the Jews at Jerusalem.  Jesus’ response was that a day was coming when it didn’t matter WHERE a person worshiped God.  What mattered was HOW they worshiped Him. Jesus said that they must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

The definition of worship is “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity”.  To worship then, is to show reverence, adoration and honor.   The deity we are talking about is of course God Almighty.

To worship God in spirit and truth means loving Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34‭-‬38‬ ‭NIV‬ [34] Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. [35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. 

True worship must be “in spirit,” engaging the whole heart which is the source of our emotions.   Unless there’s a real passion for God, there is no worship in spirit. At the same time, worship must be “in truth,”.  We must know who we worship.  Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth.  We get that knowledge of the truth from the Bible, God’s Word.  

Jesus said that it's the truth that makes us free.

John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

That freedom is what allows us to worship in spirit and truth.

That is what we should all be striving for but so many of us are just playing church.  We are just going through the motions we aren’t really worshiping in spirit or in truth.  

We often hear people say” You need to stop playing church”.  

Well, what does that really mean?

It doesn’t mean those times when we were children and we would set up the chairs and somebody would get up and sing, somebody would get up and pray, and somebody would preach.  The kids I played with would really be imitating the adults in the church.  A lot of times one of the kids would pretend that they got what we used to say “the Holy Ghost”.  

Then we would all get bored and start another game.  Playing church was fun, when we were kids, but it’s not fun or funny now that we are adults and call ourselves Christians. 

Let me let you in on a little secret.   Every Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday whatever day, churches are filled with folk “playing church” playing games with God.  

People show up to watch the show and if it’s good enough they stay and even come back occasionally, some even come every week.   But when they are no longer entertained then they stop coming or find another show.  

Playing church isn’t a new phenomenon. Folks have been playing church for centuries.  

When Moses led the Israelites from Egypt and God changed them from a ragtag group of former slaves to the nation of Israel, He gave them instructions on how to worship Him.  That’s what the entire books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy are about.  

In other words, He told them how to have church.  If they did it the way He wanted them to the results would be blessings that couldn’t be described in human terms.    

The 28th chapter of Deuteronomy verses 1-14 give a list of the blessings that would come to them if they obeyed.  There’s also a list of things that would happen if they didn’t obey. That list is in verses 15-44.  Notice the list of curses is much longer than the list of blessings. 

When our actions don't match the guidelines set forth for Christians in the Bible, then we are reduced to just being religious or "playing church."

There's an enormous difference between being religious, which is what many people think about if you go to church, and being a Christian.

Being religious is simply following a certain list of dos and don'ts, usually whenever it is convenient, and usually because you have been taught or trained that it is the proper or acceptable way to behave. But living that way is just playing church. And if you think that pleases God, you're only deceiving yourself. 

Being a Christian means that everything you do or don't do is because you genuinely love the Lord and care whether you are pleasing to Him. Being a Christian means that you want to be like Christ and serve His purposes. Being a Christian means leaving your selfish, worldly desires behind and staying focused on Jesus, what He wants you to do, and who He wants you to become. 

There's a world of difference between being a Christian and just playing church.  

“Playing church” is serious business to God.

This is what God said through the prophet Isaiah about Israel playing church.  

‭Isaiah‬ ‭29:13‭-‬14‬ ‭GNT‬ [13]  The Lord said, “These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized. [14]  So I will startle them with one unexpected blow after another. Those who are wise will turn out to be fools, and all their cleverness will be useless.”

They were just going through the motions.  It’s like singing loud and dancing during Praise and Worship yet not loving your neighbor as we love ourselves or not acknowledging God as our source.   

Here's another example of Israel “playing church” and the results from that.

‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:8‭-‬14‬ ‭GNT‬ [8] God told me to write down in a book what the people are like, so that there would be a permanent record of how evil they are. [9] They are always rebelling against God, always lying, always refusing to listen to the Lord's teachings. [10] They tell the prophets to keep quiet. They say, “Don't talk to us about what's right. Tell us what we want to hear. Let us keep our illusions. [11] Get out of our way and stop blocking our path. We don't want to hear about your holy God of Israel.” [12] But this is what the holy God of Israel says: “You ignore what I tell you and rely on violence and deceit. [13] You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse. [14] You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with or to dip water from a cistern.”

In this instance they were doing what we see a lot of today, when a church congregation wants their leaders to make their sermons the kinds of messages that speak to the desires and preferences of the people, rather than preach from the Bible something that’s unpopular like homosexuality, or fornication, or adultery, or racism.   They don’t want the hear the whole story of the God the Bible, but only of a God of grace that allows for any and everything.  Grace isn’t a license for immorality but when you’re “playing church” that’s what you want to hear.  

In verse 14 of the scripture I just read, God said that He would shatter their iniquity like pottery that had been smashed to bits.  

Let me read it again;

‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:14‬ ‭GNT‬ [14] You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with or to dip water from a cistern.”

Well, you might say that’s just  Old Testament stuff.  Okay, you want the New Testament?  Let’s look at what Jesus says about “playing church”  

‭Matthew‬ ‭15:1‭-‬9‬ ‭GNT‬ [1] Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked him, [2] “Why is it that your disciples disobey the teaching handed down by our ancestors? They don't wash their hands in the proper way before they eat!” [3] Jesus answered, “And why do you disobey God's command and follow your own teaching? [4]  For God said, ‘Respect your father and your mother,’ and ‘If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death.’ [5] But you teach that if people have something they could use to help their father or mother, but say, ‘This belongs to God,’ [6] they do not need to honor their father. In this way you disregard God's command, in order to follow your own teaching. [7] You hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! [8]  ‘These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. [9] It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!’”

You want more?  What about;

‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21‭-‬23‬ ‭GNT‬ [21] “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. [22] When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ [23]  Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’

Every Sunday, churches are filled with people who are simply “playing” games with God. They come to watch the “show”. If it is good enough, they stay and even come back occasionally. However, if it is not entertaining, they will drift off to play some other game.

Every Sunday countless people all over the world sit in church buildings with a false sense of security. They assume that their morality, lifelong church membership, or baptism will earn them a place in heaven. While many of these people desire to please God, they are confused about what the Christian life is all about. They think in terms of doing rather than being. So, they imitate the actions of good Christians: going to a weekly service, praying, reading the Bible, and trying to be decent people. The world values action, but God prioritizes relationships--specifically a right relationship with Him. People who run around flaunting religiosity are missing out on the deeply satisfying and joyous intimacy between a believer and the Lord. These are people who know the truth intellectually. They can quote chapters and verse, but their hearts are far from God. They know the truth, but they have refused to receive the truth so that it transforms their lives.  Being a Christian means leaving your selfish, worldly desires behind and staying focused on Jesus, what He wants you to do, and who He wants you to become. Indeed, there's a world  of difference between being a Christian and just playing church. An effective church—one that poses a real threat to the Enemy—is a body of discipled people who have been taught the truth of Scripture, trained for service, and helped to mature spiritually. But all this is accomplished for the purpose of going out into the world, not for becoming a self-contained sanctuary of Christian comfort. The urgency of the Lord’s command and the desperate condition of humanity should motivate us to leave the safety of our Christian fellowships and deliver the message of salvation through Jesus. To avoid this responsibility is to miss the Father’s plan for your life and the opportunity to help build His kingdom. ‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18‭-‬20‬ ‭GNT‬ [18] Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19]  Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, [20] and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” Conclusion The longing to be holy is not what makes us Christians. We should long be holy because we are Christians. This longing to be holy, to be more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives, whether it be in our speech, our care for others, will help us to avoid playing church and give us confidence about our spiritual condition because of who we are in Christ We have to do better. God is not pleased with us just playing church.  How can we expect others to come to Christ when they see us faking it.  Jesus didn't die so His people could play church and be comfortable doing it. There is no limit to God’s power displayed through His people if we could just stop playing church and start being the church!