Life. church

Lindsay the timekeeper
When our family lived in Colorado, I worked with a number of small church plants, and I was invited to speak at one near Denver on a Sunday morning. It was meeting in a school. We got there early, and they were just finishing setting up the chairs in the make-shift sanctuary. We stood and talked with the pastor before things got started.

Lindsay, our youngest, was eleven years old at the time. She is responsible and likes to know what’s coming, so she asked when church was over. The pastor said I could speak until about noon, and then we’d be done.

The worship leader got there late and had to set up, so we started very late that morning. So all the times were off. And then, when the pastor introduced me he took way too long, so I didn’t even start until ten minutes to twelve o’clock. So, I begin and I’m just getting started, I had been speaking about as long as I have been this morning, and I look in the back where my family is sitting. Lindsay is sitting back there pointing to her watch and then making a ‘cut’ motion with her hand across her throat. I kept right on going. I learned early on how to preach through distractions.

That is one of my favorite church stories. Today we are going to talk about church. On this quest with Solomon through different aspects of life looking for meaning and purpose the church is certainly not immune.

“Be Satisfied” by Warren Wiersbe
One of my commentaries put it this way:
Solomon had visited the courtroom, the marketplace, the highway, and the palace. Now he paid a visit to the temple, that magnificent building whose construction he had supervised. He watched the worshipers come and go, praising God, praying, sacrificing, and making vows. He noted that many of them were not at all sincere in their worship, and they left the sacred precincts in worse spiritual condition than when they had entered. What was their sin? They were robbing God of the reverence and honor that He deserved. Their acts of worship were perfunctory, insincere, and hypocritical.[1]

High Definition close-ups
Are you ready as the focus of evaluation turns to us? Can we handle the truth? I read an article a while back about some changes that may be brought to broadcasting because of high definition televisions. With larger screens and clearer pictures the article said that it will be the end of the really close, close-ups. In the old days, they could get close, tight pictures on newscasters and tv stars. But now, with High Def, those close-ups show a lot more flaws and unflattering features that they didn’t show before. Stars are not willing to let their flaws show, so don’t get so close.
Well, today Solomon takes a high definition, close up approach to the church.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NKJV) 1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

“Walk prudently” are the opening words of this passage. Other versions say, “Guard your steps”, “Be careful”, and in the King James version, “Keep thy foot.” I really like the New Living Translation which says, “Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.”

“Keep thy foot”: Watch your step
The idea here is our common phrase, “Watch your step.” It can be literal, but more commonly metaphorically. It isn’t speaking of a rug on your way in that you might trip over, but an awareness of the reality of where you’re going. Be careful.

The exact same sense is found in Ephesians 5:15 where it says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” which is followed by common sense counsel on living a godly life, not on the mechanics of walking.

Holy ground
Moses learned this idea when he turned aside to see a bush that burned but wasn’t consumed. When he got close he heard a voice say, “Take the sandals off your feet, because the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5) What made the bush holy? God’s presence.

Watch your step.
When Joshua entered the Promised Land, before taking Jericho, he got the same lesson. The Commander of the Lord’s army (the Lord Himself) said to Joshua, “Take off your sandal, because you are on holy ground.” (Joshua 5:15) God’s presence, moving into God’s promises, is holy ground. Watch your step. Keep your feet.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?
Standing near a bush. Outside a city you’ve never been to before. On the corner of Cordon and Swegle Roads or in a high school in Keizer. These aren’t ordinary places, not when we stand in God’s presence and stand upon His promises. They are holy ground. The failure to understand this is a great failure. It has caused many to become careless in the way they approach God.
So, when you go to church, where do you think you’re going? Do you fully consider and weigh the reality?

A disclaimer
Before I begin, I must give you the following disclaimer: I am a big fan of the church. I mean a BIG fan. I know that may come as a shock to some of you. Not just of this church (though it is my favorite), but of The Church, that Jesus established and promised He would work through. Does that mean I think it’s perfect? No way. It couldn’t be because I’m in it. (And you’re in it.) Yeah, it is imperfect. When God’s presence is there, it is holy ground.

It’s kind of popular these days to bash the church. I just received notice of a new book just out called, “They like Jesus, but not the church.” I’m not going in that direction. (Remember, the church is Jesus’ bride. Careful what you say about her.)

1. The Church isn’t for:

· Empty sacrifices
“Don’t give the sacrifice of fools.” (verse 1)

Here is the ultimate in foolishness: thinking you can fool God or pull one over on God. In Acts 5 a couple known as Annaias and Sapphira sold some land and brought the money to the Apostle Peter saying, “Here is the money. We are sacrificing everything! God gets it all!” When, in fact, they withheld a good portion for themselves.

Annaias and Sapphira dropped dead right on the spot. They were the first casualties of the Christian church. They had brought the sacrifice of fools, thinking they could fool God with an appearance of sacrifice and godliness. They were the original church hypocrites. They put on a façade to look good, but inside they were hollow.

Another fool’s sacrifice - Nabal
In 1 Samuel 25 is the story of a man named Nabal. (His name means, “Fool”.) David and his men protected his livestock and his shepherds for him, so that he benefited from their presence and their protection, but when they asked for a small gift in return, Nabal said, “No way. It’s mine.” Nabal met the same fate as Annaias and Sapphira. Benefiting from God’s presence and protection and giving nothing back is a fool’s sacrifice.

Don’t worry. Our church council has voted against killing people for this offense at this church. Though there has been some strong debate.

· Empty criticisms
“For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” (verse 3)

There are those people who have a dream of how things ought to be, or how things should be. They are not satisfied with how things are but not willing to do anything about making it any different. It is activity that makes a difference, not many words. Criticism is not a spiritual gift.

Verse seven: “For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity.” Get in and do something to make a difference, or keep your dreams and opinions to yourself.

· Empty promises
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed — Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” (verses 4 & 5)

Never mind, God
I heard a story about a man who was late and desperately trying to find a parking spot to go in to a business meeting. He prayed, “Lord, if you will just give me a parking spot I promise to be in church every Sunday.” Just then a car backed out of the spot right in front of the building where he was going. So he said, “Never mind, God. I found one.”

Have you made any promises to God that you have failed to keep? (Weddings, baptisms, ministry related, “deals”.) Don’t be a fool.
Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?

2. The Church is:

Remember the significance of the Temple to Solomon (traditionally held to be the writer of Ecclesiastes). Who built the Temple? Solomon did. Before that the nation of Israel had the tabernacle, a tent that housed God’s presence. King David said, “I have this beautiful house but God only has a tent. I’m going to build a temple for God.” God said, “Thanks all the same, but no. Not you. You’re a man of war. Your son, the son of David, a prince, not a prince of war but a prince of peace, he will build Me a temple.” (Note the significant Messianic reference. It has DEEP meaning.)
Solomon knew what the temple, the church, was supposed to be:

· The House of God.
“When you go to the house of God.” (verse 1)

Solomon had a problem when he started building God’s house. He said, “Wait a minute… what size house do you need God? Heaven cannot contain you, or the heavens of heavens. How can I build a house big enough for you?” (2 Chronicles 2:5-6)

A building, or a church, cannot contain God. You can’t box Him in and say, “Here He is. We have Him and you don’t,” or “He’s there at church and I’ll go and visit Him from time to time but He isn’t at my home, or at my school, or at work. He’s there at church.”

It can’t contain Him, but it can be a place of His Presence. God inhabits the praises of His people and, wherever two or three gather in His name, He is there.

A prototype
What Solomon may not have known is that he was actually building a prototype. (‘Proto’ meaning first or before and ‘type’ meaning picture or illustration.) This Temple was a foreshadowing of the real temple that would be built later, not with human hands. The real Son of David, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, came to build a temple not out of stone and mortar but out of flesh and bone.

Now, God’s dwelling place is in you, if you give Him access to your heart. Scripture says that we are the living stones that make up His new Temple. You are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you.

You may be a fixer-upper, but you are the most valuable real estate in the universe.

· To draw near to God.
“Draw near to hear” (verse 1)

When we come together, we would be wise to draw near to hear. In other words, God has something to say to you. Do you realize that? Are you attentive?

Sometimes we need to hear a word of encouragement. I talked with a lot of people this past week who are going through some tough stuff, some even life and death situations. I couldn’t answer any of their ‘why’ questions, but my words could be encouragement to them. I know that God spoke encouragement through me to them. I have found most often encouragement is a greater need than answers.

I hear God all the time here. Sometimes through His Word. Sometimes by His Spirit. Very often it is something one of you says to me. Draw near to hear God in this place.

· To put faith into action.
“For a dream comes through much activity” (verse 3)

This is a monumental need of the church. We need to learn to put faith to action. For a dream comes through much activity. Think about these words.

Joseph and Pharoah’s dreams (Genesis 41)
Remember Joseph in the Old Testament? Joseph was a slave and a prisoner in Egypt who was brought before Pharoah, the king of the land, to hear his dreams. Pharoah shared his dreams with Joseph, hoping that Joseph could understand his dreams. Joseph did understand his dreams and knew the dreams meant that there would be great abundance in the land for seven years and then an even greater famine for another seven years. Joseph was done, right? No.
Joseph did something else. Instead of just understanding Pharoah’s dream, he also had a plan. He said, “Here’s what you do. Appoint someone over things that can store up during the good years to give to those who have need when the famine comes. Those people enjoying the good life won’t even know of their need until it’s too late. Someone needs to tell them. Someone needs to give them what they need. There has to be action along with Pharoah’s dream to save the people.”

So then Pharoah said, “You do it.” Joseph understood Pharoah’s dream, had a plan based on Pharoah’s dream and put it into action. He stored up the life-giving grain and was there to give it out when there was need.

“For a dream comes through much activity.”
The church is to fulfill God’s dreams, not mine or yours. Like Pharoah, God has a dream for His people. His dream is for an abundant life. God is looking for Josephs. The name Joseph means “He adds”. God is looking for people who will add. A Joseph is a person who will hear God and understand His dream to give life to others. But not stop there. A Joseph makes a plan to meet people at their place of need and care for their need. A Joseph then is ready to go into action and be one who adds.

No one is to shoulder the whole load, but each one is to add their own part. Are you adding? Are you putting faith into action?

We, the Church, have the life-giving grain stored up and there’s plenty for everyone. People of action are needed to get it out to where it is needed. They won’t even know until it’s too late unless someone tells them. Joseph, will you add? Will you act?

· To fear God.
“But fear God” (verse 7)

There is a lot that can be said about fearing God, but just let me say this: Church isn’t a game. It isn’t a drill. It isn’t a social event. This is the real thing. He is serious.

There is a famine. People are in great need. Let’s do something about it, together.

Conclusion
It has been said that the church is the only organization that exists for the sole purpose of those who are not members.
The church is minimized by what we make it, not by what God has made it.

[1]Wiersbe, Warren W.: Be Satisfied. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1990, S. Ec 5:1