Devotion: To What? To Whom?

[Preached May 25, 2008; Based on Acts 18: 1-11 and 1 Corinthians 16:13-16]

Words of Meditation - “Charity is spiritual fire, and when it bursts into flames, it is called devotion.”  [Francis de Sales, Richard Foster, Devotional Classics (28)]

Our goal is not to come to church, but to be the church. Our goal is not just to have devotional times, but to live devotional lives. Are we devoted people and if so – to what and to whom?

Both of our scripture lessons this morning speak of devotion.

1. The Apostle Paul was in Corinth making tents, but once his partners, Silas and Timothy, arrived: Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying... that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:5) Each of us is more effective when we have partners! When we join together with others who are like-minded, we can devote ourselves to those aspects of life that we prefer... that we’re better at... that we enjoy.

I watched the end of the Astros game last night. Did you know they have:

• Relief pitchers – one was brought in only to face one batter.
• Pinch hitters and pinch runners – to help achieve a needed goal.
• Substitute outfielder – was placed in left field “for defensive purposes.” The Astros were ahead by one run in the 9^th inning, there was one out and the bases were loaded. A fly ball was hit to the left fielder; he caught the ball and threw home just in time to catch the runner from 3^rd base who tried to score. The game was over!

Each person made an important contribution, even if it were only to one batter or on one play! It was exciting. The team goal was what mattered.

The Apostle Paul was devoted to his profession (tent-making) when necessary, but he knew that his divine call was to preach.  His bottom line devotion was to God, as he was willing to do whatever God directed. He was willing to make tents or to preach the Gospel, whatever it took to follow God’s plan.

2. Secondly, as Paul later wrote the believers in Corinth, he commented how those in Stephanas’ household, the first converts in Achaia, devoted themselves to serving others. They were willing to serve others in order to extend the Gospel... whatever it takes to follow God’s plan and extend the Gospel.

What about us? Are we willing to serve, to do manual labor, or to witness with our lips so that God’s word can go forward? Whatever you do best, do it to the glory of God! Public speaking... computer work... music... construction... whatever you do best, make sure to do it to contribute to Christ’s kingdom! God gave you the talent, use it for His glory!

Perhaps you don’t see how your skills or interests can further Christ’s kingdom. How? I know there’s a way – even if it’s only to enable you to contribute toward the ministry of the church, as Silas and Timothy did... or as those in Stephanas’ household did.

Let’s talk about devotion because: Devotion is an inside job! One cannot merely watch another person in order to get infected with a rash of devotion. Devotion doesn’t “just happen;” it is not automatic.

Personally, I am helped when I consider Jesus’ words: “For such people the Father seeks to be his worshipers.” (John 4:23) God seeks worshipers! It is God’s desire to have fellowship with us each day. Can you believe that God wants to spend time with you? Do you allow the God who seeks you – to find you?

This encourages me to make time – to find a quiet place, and have the right attitude. My time to focus on God is early in the morning. Once the phone begins ringing and I begin to check my email, it’s too late. I must have absolutely no distractions because otherwise my devotions are dry as dust and there are no streams in my desert.

Do you understand what I mean? I realize that I am in a “Death Valley Quiet Time” when I am not:

1. “Communing with God” – not experiencing God’s presence
2. Absorbing content – I’m just reading words
3. Seeing parallels between the scripture and my life – no applications are apparent
4. Expecting to be changed – what an insult to God, for whom nothing is impossible.
5. Approaching God with humility – as though I have it all together without God’s help.

When I experience three or more of these, I know I’m simply going through the motions and I have to do something different. Sometimes, I go to a different place – like, I might come right here, in this sanctuary, early in the morning.

While it’s still dark outside, I begin an accounting before God of my disappointments and failures – okay, my sins. I confess the ways I’ve not been the man God has called me to be. I say something along the line: “This is all I am Lord, but you know I want to be more. I really want to please you more than anything else, but I can’t without your help.”

Then, as dawn begins – as the first rays of light begin to reveal the message in the eastern stain glass windows, I like to begin down in front and begin to move around the room.

1. First, I see Jesus knocking on the door to a small house. I am that house. Jesus is knocking on the door of my life. He wants to spend the day with me (“shadow me”), but it’s up to me. There is no door handle for him to open the door from the outside. It’s totally up to me whether I want to let him in for conversation and companionship.

2. In the next window, Jesus is the Good Shepherd holding a small lamb in one arm in the midst of the flock. Jesus is strong. He holds his shepherd’s staff in the other hand and I feel very safe with him. Sometimes I am the little lamb being held; other times, I am one of those surrounding him or even one of the ones simply grazing. Sometimes I wish he were holding me and other times, I am rather oblivious to what Jesus is doing – but I know he cares about his sheep!

3. Then, Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. His mission on earth is nearly complete and this time, he is knocking on heaven’s door and needing to know that his Shepherd, his God knows what’s going on in his life and cares about him.  Meanwhile, the 3 disciples are sleeping in the background. I can relate to this – it must be after 8 PM. I too am more concerned with my personal needs and forget how important it is to pay attention to what Jesus wants.

Then, after the light of day becomes a bit brighter, I can begin to see the pictures in the western windows. Beginning in the back: 

1. There’s Jesus with his hands and arms open. It’s as though he is saying, “Come unto me, Steve, for you are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” I don’t know why I tend to hold onto and carry my burdens instead of laying them down. I’m reminded that if I’m carrying a big box of burdens (I’ve been carrying a lot of boxes recently), I simply must put the box down if I’m to greet someone who stops by the house. Jesus meets me on the path and says, “Put down your burdens and come to me.”

2. Next, Jesus is in the midst of little children, with one arm around one child and holding the hand of another. It’s like all the kids know he cares for them – none appears jealous of the others. That’s the way I’d like to see the church. We all gather around Jesus, wherever there’s room – content just to be with him.

3. Finally, here in the front, Jesus is ascending from the tomb and is on his way to glory. All the pain and misunderstanding, the suffering and hurt – all that is behind him in the darkness and his future is bright and promising. Jesus is going to receive what was promised to him. He is now the Risen Christ, the Majestic King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The Lord reminds me that there is a bright future for me too!

But why does he wait? Why not go straight to heaven? Because he is concerned about his sheep, his little children. He simply must tell them that he’s alive and all that he’s told them is true... that one day, they too will discover the ultimate adventure of rising to new life. Yes, that’s what Jesus says to me, “Steve, you’ve laid your burdens down, so go on back to your day and know that one day; you too will see me in all my majesty and glory! Go on and take care of the items that are before you today!”

Will I be devoted today and trust that Jesus will take care of everything beyond my power? This exercise, right here in the sanctuary, helps me connect with God. I suppose it’s a little like the “Stations of the Cross,” but for me it is the “Stations of the Windows.”

Before moving on, let me mention that I spoke with Rita Tanberg last night and she asked what I was preaching on. I told her about my plans to talk about the stained glass windows and she told me that when her children were small, she would tell them that if they got bored during the message (Can you imagine even thinking that might be a possibility?)... they should look at the windows and think about what message they might be making. Whatever they did, be respectful to the pastor – I liked that!

There is clearly a message in each window and that helps me connect to God.  What is it that helps you connect with God?

Let me give you a few pointers about spiritual renewal. When I myself am dry and in the midst of a “Death Valley Quiet Time,” here’s my path to renewal. I must:

1. Desire renewal – and tell God I really want his life alive in me!
2. Repent of anything that prevents me from being what God wants.
3. Be obedient to what I believe Christ is calling me. Walk in the light God gives me. Perhaps the whole path has not been revealed in light, but the next few steps are clear.
4. Recognize that devotional life is indispensable – just as I eat multiple times a day and must stop by the gas station too frequently to fill up the gas tank. 

Oswald Chambers puts it this way: “You no more need a day off from spiritual concentration on matters in your life than your heart needs a day off from beating. As you cannot take a day off morally and remain moral, neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, April 15) Don’t try to go from Sunday to Sunday for spiritual nurture!

5. Be continually open to the Holy Spirit – and never take my eyes off God.

Whatever else you may gain from a strong devotional life, remember that the aim is to know God better. God alone is our reward. God wants us to have a full life. It’s not that we can’t have anything else in our lives that matters to us – it just that no other love is greater than our love for him... that we are not more devoted to anything else than we are to God.

Love your wife, your children, and whatever you do – just love God more!

Our goal is not to come to church, but to be the church. Our goal is not just to have devotional times, but to live devotional lives. Are we devoted people and if so – to what and to whom?

Invitation – Earlier I mentioned baseball. The great Ty Cobb, upon his death bed said: “You tell the boys I’m sorry it was the last part of the 9^th that I came to know Christ. I wish it had taken place in the first half of the 1^st.”  This reminds me of Vickie’s grandfather who was in his 90’s before he accepted Christ. What a difference Christ made to him and he too regretted not turning to Christ earlier. My friends, you may think God only wants you to turn to him to take all the fun out of your life... you may think the church wants you to turn to Christ to get your money... but let me tell you, I’ve experienced life without Christ and life with Christ – there’s no comparison. Commit your life to Christ today!

Benediction – I really like today’s lesson from Acts. Paul finished his work in Athens and went to Corinth. When he got there, apparently he met Aquila and Priscilla who had also recently moved to Corinth. They struck up a conversation and a relationship began – mostly due to their faith in Christ and their shared profession – they were all tent-makers.

This is so much like life. It sounds so typical, doesn’t it? Where are the fascinating coincidences or dreams and visions in this passage? It seems to me that God used the routine instances of their daily lives to direct believers to work together. The Holy Spirit doesn’t always lead in miraculous ways; sometimes God’s leading happens in life’s routine moments. Think about it.