the basic message # E64
Acts 7:48-49
“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?
I wonder when we humans decided to construct a building and call it “God’s house”. Do we think we can contain God within walls constructed of brick and mortar? Church goers are often very loyal to their church, which is good. Good, that is, as long as they are loyal to God, and not to each other’s whims. I’ve asked people what they look for in a church. Among the answers: “A feeling of belonging”, “A place to be with my friends”, “A place where I’m accepted for who I am”, and “A place where my needs are met”. While all of these answers are good, an outlaw biker might very well use the same criteria for selecting a motorcycle gang. Haven’t we put far too much emphasis on what we want out of a church, rather than what we go to give to God? I’m not a football fan, and if you’re not a fan of Jesus, you can go to church and I can go to a football game and neither one of us will get anything out of the trip.
John 2:15-16
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
The temple was intended to be a place for people to worship God, but men, as usual, decided to turn a profit on their fellow man’s need for religion. Some folks like to read this story and defend their fits of anger by pointing out that Jesus lost his temper at least once in his life. Why was he so upset? Because the temple was being turned into a place for doing business. Sound familiar? I notice that around election time, the politicians in my church never miss a Sunday. After the election, they are seldom seen. Many pastors get into the act by giving a subtle endorsement to the candidate in the congregation.
I’m tired of entering the sanctuary on Sunday morning to the sounds of loud talk and laughter. I’m tired of the people who are habitually late, and feel the need to talk among those around them once they finally get seated. It appears that some people who can’t make it to church on time are always early at the football stadium- go figure. I’m tired of disruptive children whose parents apparently don’t have the guts to drag their kid out and spank them. I’m tired of hearing silliness from the pulpit that has no value. While God doesn’t live within the walls of the buildings we construct, we are there to worship him. We need to enter into our churches with respect and awe, not as though we’re walking into Walmart.
Make no mistake, friends, God isn’t our “pal”. He deserves and demands respect and worship from us. Many will be angry as they read this week’s message. When they can go to the Bible and find scriptural support of turning a place of worship into a party, send me an email. Otherwise, don’t waste your time or mine.