Fast Food Sermons.

'What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.' 2 Timothy 1:13.

A preacher was so busy doing ‘things’ he skimped on his sermon preparations. Finally he resorted to reading from books or periodicals. Another preacher was content to use sermons previously preached elsewhere by a relative. Both men saw their ministry decline and two congregations with great potential faded from too much, way too much, ‘fast food’ from the pulpit.

Ministry is demanding upon a preacher’s time, energy, emotion and family. Beware the trap of consigning Sunday sermons and studies to T.V. style take-away meals status. This is ultimately self– defeating and destructive. Churches with ‘spectator saints’ who are being fed on a spiritual diet of sweets and savouries have a fitness problem. When tough times come, and they do, such Christians run out of stamina, have faith problems and develop critical attitudes.

In 2 Timothy 1:13 ‘sound teaching’ refers to healthy doctrine. Timothy was directed to work hard on ensuring what he preached and taught was health giving. So should we. In the Pastoral Epistles the Greek word for ‘sound’ teaching is ‘hugies’ or ‘hugiaino’ and is used seven times. The meaning embraces health and wholeness. This also suggests that there were many preachers giving unsound, unhealthy teaching. Is this why so many disciples and congregations are spiritually anaemic?  Can this explain how some are morally weak, factious, short-sighted and biblically illiterate.

According to 1Timothy 1:10, sound doctrine is the measure that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Sound doctrine exposes the inner qualities of any person whose belief system is laced with the poison of error and exploitation (1Timothy 6:3). There is value in imparting of good, nutritious doctrine with its vitamins and wholesome foods. Well nourished disciples of Christ are spared unnecessary ill effects caused by spiritual quacks. There’s sadness in reading some sections of the New Testament letters. Carnal chefs had penetrated the local congregation with menus appealing to the soul but anathema to the spirit. A constant diet of contaminated food cause congregational disorders. Effects like division, spiritual sleeping sickness and tolerance of ungodliness resulting in moral and spiritual coma. The letters to five of the seven churches in Revelation highlight this truth.

Ministers are called to be the Holy Spirit’s ‘kitchen.’ In us He must first prepare the necessary wholesome food. It is personalised for the particular congregation.  Sometimes He has a tough time with us in the preparation phase. The ingredients we must search for and properly mix. This is our labour over the text and its application. How easy it would be to go to a book of quotes and sermons to simply ‘reheat, serve and eat.’  Not good enough. The labour we expend as the ‘kitchen’ is to pass Heaven’s taste test. When the meal is thereby ready He transforms us into His waiters.

Preachers will often be unaware of their parishioners’ need for special spiritual nourishment. This is especially true in a large and growing congregation. How then can he expect to cater for the unknown? Being an under chef means this isn’t his problem. The master chef has the responsibility to know and meet the people’s need. It never ceases to amaze how the Holy Spirit takes various aspects of a service and feeds the heart and mind of those assembled. The Spirit of God will have the liberty to nourish His people from His word when His under – chef labours faithfully in the preparation. Any cook will know the satisfaction from being told the meal was great. The preacher likes to hear similar words whilst knowing the One who prepared it was the master Chef.

‘He has taken me to his banqueting table and his banner over me is love’ (S. of S. 2:4) underscores sound teaching. Worshippers need to feel they have been at a spiritual banquet following the service. There has been the awareness of the Lord’s presence and the covering of His banner. As they leave to serve and witness they do so from a fully nourished spirit. For the waiters it is a priceless privilege to distribute Heaven’s approved menu. Earth’s pilgrims of Faith will also have been strengthened for their coming tasks and challenges.

Request: Lord am I the boss in my ‘kitchen?’ Demote me. Be the Chef within and prepare in and through me wholesome food from your larder. Then it will be fit for the sons and daughters of the most High God. Amen

Unauthorised Fire.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28–29.

Yahweh’s spectacular rescue mission on behalf of Israel could have produced a sense of national complacency. He watched over them, opened the Red sea for them, provided for them, protected them, judged them and brought them to the desert of Sinai. That sense of smugness changed at Mount Sinai. His dramatic ‘appearance’ in thunder, lightning, with thick cloud covering and fire created fear. A realisation of God’s glory and holiness made them tremble. The Lord God who redeemed was to be obeyed not played with.

When the Tabernacle and Priesthood were being instituted the family of Aaron was given the Priesthood. At the outset it was stressed such a venue and ministry was unique. It was set apart from the everyday and linked to the very character of Yahweh.  The ordination for the Priesthood begins in Leviticus 8 and 9 in a very impressive and symbolic manner. Aaron and his four sons had detailed instructions to follow. Something possessed Nadab and Abihu, to imagine they had a better way than that which Yahweh had outlined. They along with Eleazar and Ithamar had just experienced the wonder of ordination to ministry. This was the culmination of an encounter with God on Mount Horeb. Had it been too much for Nadab and Abihu’s egos? Leviticus 10:1 says they offered unauthorised fire before the Lord. Their self will changed celebration into lamentations. God struck them down.

Leviticus 10:9 sees the Lord add to the ordination requirement, ‘you and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die.’ Does this give us a clue to what caused Nadab and Abihu to act so irresponsibly? The Lord requires those who worship Him and, more so those who minister before Him, to be clear headed and self controlled. It is interesting to note that the kings of Israel had similar obligations. (Proverbs31:4–5) If we consider ourselves as ‘kings and priests’ of the Lord God do such restrictions apply today?

It would appear as though they had chosen to enter into the precincts of the Tabernacle to do their own thing. They would worship or serve God as they thought best. Here was a serious breach of trust, an act of disrespect and a challenge to the authority of the Lord. They had been redeemed and commissioned for His purposes. Their death was to be a testimony to the danger of abusing the grace and glory of God. Why? ‘You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.’ Exodus 20:7

Leviticus 10:10–11: ‘You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.’ The history of Israel details the conflict between His holiness and the tendency of the nation to drag it down. Leviticus 21:6.says, ‘They (priests) must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the offerings made to the Lord by fire, the food of their God, they are to be holy.’ Malachi’s account of the moral and religious attitude of the priests and people of his day makes depressing reading. ‘You profane it (God’s Name) by saying of the Lord’s table, ‘It is defiled’, and of its food, ‘it is contemptible.’ And you say,’ What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously.’ Malachi 1:12–13.

As ministers of the Gospel we are to uphold the holiness of the Eternal God, the integrity of the Cross and the uniqueness of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Familiarity can breed contempt or coarseness with sacred things. A healthy fear of our Lord will be our safeguard. In our presentations we have latitude of method but we have no room to move in regards to the message. Culture has its challenges to making the Bible relevant. Regardless of the cultural environment Christ Jesus’ servants live in the Gospel and the Glory of God must remain unchanged. Hebrews 12:10: ‘Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord.’

Reflection: What is the quality of the ‘fire’ that burns within my being? Is what I’m saying, doing and living acceptable to the Lord God I am called upon to honour and proclaim?

Strange Fire

God, if there is such a Being (and I believe and know there is) must have His standards. We see His laws in creation so there will be laws to govern the life and relationships of Humankind. But how can an individual know them unless the Lord has revealed His requirements? Christians believe God has done this through certain people such as Moses, David and ultimately through Jesus. Their writings and statements have been preserved for our happiness and wellbeing in the Bible.

That means it is our responsibility to know and understand the Lord God’s laws for us. It means that those called to be preachers and teachers of the Bible must share God’s word and not their prejudices. To do so can lead to serious condemnation. This is borne out in many a dramatic and frightening way in both sections of the Bible.

Consider the incident in Numbers 16 and the attitude of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They were in the privileged tribe of Levi. As such they had the care of the Tabernacle. But they wanted to be involved in the role set exclusively for Aaron and his descendants. The record tells us that the role of the priest involved animal sacrifices by fire. There was also a special incense set in motion byfire. Korah and company wanted to make a point that they were as good as any child of Aaron and could offer fire for the sacrifices and incense. Read the account and realise that God doesn’t tolerate for long those who think they know better than His laws. They experienced His severe judgement because they sought to offer ‘unlawful, thereby strange, fire.’ Jude 11 defined this as a rebellion.

Sad to say many within Christendom are following in Korah’s attitude of heart and mind. They seek to offer to God what He has either not ordained, or what He has forbidden. Then such people wonder why the Lord’s glory is not felt. They also are confused as to why there is no spiritual and moral stamina within the Church scene. The facts are simple. They are offering to the Holy and unchanging God ‘strange fire’ which He rejects.

What are such flames which arouse the indignation of God? What attitude of heart and mind underlies their actions which stores up wrath for them in future judgement. Let us consider just a sample. The Bible is explicit when it defines by word and symbol the meaning of Marriage. It is God ordained. It is between a man (Adam) and a woman (Eve). It portrays the future marriage of Christ and His Church. Many in Christendom are falling in line with the unbeliever’s World’s view that marriage can be entered into by same sex couples. That is trying to offer God ‘fire’ which His Word condemns.

Consider the ever increasing role of abortion in society. It is used for killing the unwanted, those with presumed abnormalities or for economic reasons etc. This is the modern day equivalent to the pagan worship of Molech. His devotees would sacrifice their firstborn children in the hope of better things to come. It destroyed the dignity of each individual and makes the abortionist and their followers ‘god’ over the unborn and his/her future worthwhileness. The God revealed in the Bible holds each as precious, loves them and Jesus Christ died on the cross because He loved them and rose again for them. Those aborted children will meet their saviour and friend in glory. It is highly unlikely their killers will unless they repent and cry out for mercy.

Finally, let us mention briefly the ‘strange fire’ many want to offer on an inter-faith level. Such proponents imagine all religions are the same. This is contrary to what God’s word says. Jesus is unique. Jesus is the crucified, risen ascended Son of God who is waiting the right time to return. (That time is set but not detailed in Scripture). There is no other Name to believe in for salvation and entrance into God the Father’s presence. How sad it is to see various Denominational leaders and members entering into unholy and unauthorised worship times with those who reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the world. The effect upon people seeking and supporting Christ and His Church is devastating. One research shows that in Denmark alone last year ten percent of the remaining 2,000 churches closed their doors. You cannot offer God ‘strange and unauthorised fire’ and expect to be blessed or for people to take up their cross and follow Jesus.

We need to take seriously the warnings of Scripture about taking God and His word lightly. When we do we are in danger of offering Him in worship, ministry and relationships ‘Strange Fire’.  Why does He express anger at this? Because it profanes His Name. His laws are treated with contempt. His worship is taken for granted at best and dismissed as irrelevant at worst. Over and over again this phrase is repeated in Scripture: ‘you shall not profane (pollute) my holy Name’. Take heed!

©Ray Hawkins.