Approaching God John 2:13-22
Pastor Chris Sonksen - “Complacency and half-heartedness, he argued, have led many Christians to rob “themselves so much of all that God has for their life.” These people are essentially saying, “I want all of God’s blessings, but I’m only going in ankle deep.” https://blackchristiannews.com/2018/06/listen-pastor-chris-sonksen-encourages-christians-to-quit-casual-approach-to-church-god/
George Barna wrote The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe, and Why They Matter (2009). In the study that preceded the book, Barna discovered that 66% of Americans are what he calls “Casual Christians”. Here is how he defines them: https://www.google.com/amp/s/notforitchingears.com/2014/10/01/is-the-casual-approach-to-church-producing-casual-christians/amp/
“Casual Christianity is faith in moderation. It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition for this tribe, providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. https://www.google.com/amp/s/notforitchingears.com/2014/10/01/is-the-casual-approach-to-church-producing-casual-christians/amp/
A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent di ffi cult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices https://www.google.com/amp/s/notforitchingears.com/2014/10/01/is-the-casual-approach-to-church-producing-casual-christians/amp/
as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, https://www.google.com/amp/s/notforitchingears.com/2014/10/01/is-the-casual-approach-to-church-producing-casual-christians/amp/
yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves.” George Barna https://www.google.com/amp/s/notforitchingears.com/2014/10/01/is-the-casual-approach-to-church-producing-casual-christians/amp/
Scripture Reading Romans 12:1-2 NASB
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NASB
Approaching God John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;
and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." John 2:13-16
Three lessons for us: #1 - Personal convenience and easy justification does not trump reverence for the worship of God.
Three lessons for us: #2 - Each and every person who participates in worship before God is responsible for their actions.
Three lessons for us: #3 - Christ has a passion for reverence in the presence of God and calls us to join Him. (Psalm 69:9)
His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" John 2:17-18
We either acknowledge the person of Jesus Christ knowing full well His holiness and passion or we try to challenge what is right.
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. John 2:19-22
Jesus predicts the new temple of the Holy Spirit in believers’ hearts. He did not do away with reverence, but brought it into our hearts.
It does not matter what you wear or how you look when you come to worship Him. It matters what you have brought in your heart. Do you come in awe, in humility, with repentance and open to His Word?
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