Are you only looking for a thrill?
A few days ago, I talked about how Jesus “had John the Baptist’s back.” Remember the story? Here’s how the story continues:
“As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see?'” (Matthew 11:7).
Jesus was asking the people something like, in today’s vernacular, “You heard a sermon. What did you do about it? Were you just curious? Were you just looking for a thrill but you didn’t respond?”
The Greek for “to see” is θεάσασθαι and the Revised Version says, “to behold.” It suggests the sense that they went out as though to see a spectacle. They were stirred by no deeper motive.
Jesus is confronting the crowd with their lack of response to what they heard from John the Baptist. It’s almost terrifying to think that you and I will be held accountable for what we hear and know. In all honesty, I try not to think about that. I just want to pick and choose from what I hear, what I regard as important, and what I obey.
Unfortunately, in today’s Christian world, there are a lot of people looking for the next great entertainment to tickle their entertainment “funny bone,” especially in the worship category.
I admit I’ve had thoughts like this in regard to a particular brand of worship or sermon:
- This doesn’t work for me.
- I don’t feel it.
- It’s not my style.
- I’m not getting anything out of this.
Now certainly there are times when we should go to a different church if God is leading us, but I think too often we judge God’s will depending upon whether our particular preference is being catered to.
But then I ask myself,
Do you believe God can speak to you anywhere?
Do you believe God can speak to you anywhere?
Do you believe God can work anywhere in any church setting?
Is this about you getting your needs met or about worshiping and praising God?
May I gently encourage you to examine closely your motives for which church you choose? I fear talking about this, but I think it needs to be addressed at times. Don’t change churches or decide not to go to a certain activity just because you’re not getting your “needs” met. Make such changes based upon God leading you, not upon whether a need for a “thrill” is being met.
Yes! Thank you for a wonderful post! I am sharing.
Hi Susan, thank you so much for stopping by and reading my post. I'm so encouraged to know it was used by the Lord. And that you would share it with others really means a lot! Take care and I hope you'll become a frequent reader here. God bless you!