Towne South Church of Christ
Myths About the Church - Don’t Get Fanatical About Your Faith
Matthew 13:44-46
Locations & Times
Towne South Church of Christ
2224 Peartree Rd, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, USA
Sunday 8:45 AM
Sunday 11:15 AM
Today, we are participating in the National Back to Church Sunday. Most people in this country have attended church at one time or another and then for whatever reason got out of the habit of going. Nearly a decade ago a survey was taken of unchurched people and they were asked, “Would you attend church if a friend invited you?” 80% said, “Yes.” So, we have been encouraging one another to invite folks “Back to Church” for today. So, if you are here as the result of a friend inviting you, you should feel encouraged to know that you have a friend who truly cares about you, and we want to welcome you here today.
We’ve been in a sermon series on “Myths About the Church.” There are all kinds of myths about the church floating around out in the culture. The past two weeks we’ve looked at myths like: Christians should be seen and not heard – it’s fine to believe what you like but don’t try to impose your values on me. There’s the myth that the church isn’t for everyone – some people like it and it helps them and that’s fine, but it’s not for everyone.
Today, I want to look at the myth that says, “Don’t Get Fanatical About Your Faith.” Maybe you’ve heard that warning from friends when they heard that you were attending church regularly. Or perhaps that’s the way some of you feel and think today. It’s the idea that says, “It’s okay to go to church, but just don’t get too involved.” “I believe in moderation in all things.” “It’s okay to go to church, but don’t become one of those right-wing fundamentalists that become so obnoxious that they turn people off.”
Is it possible for Christians to become too fanatical about their faith? Well, that depends on a couple of factors. First of all:
1. It depends up on our definition of fanatic.
One thesaurus used these words to define a fanatic: Crank. Bigot. Maniac. Extremist. Cult leaders like David Koresh and Jim Jones fit that definition. They were maniacs who lost their perspective and were outside of God’s will. So, Christians should not be fanatics like that.
But the same thesaurus gave these words to define a fanatic: Zealot. Diehard. Fervent devotee. Enthusiast. The Apostle Paul and the great reformer Martin Luther would fit that description. If Christianity is true, we ought to be fervent, we ought to be enthusiastic about our faith. That’s why Jesus said the very first and greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” (Luke 10:27). So, He deserves total devotion.
The second factor in understanding fanaticism is:
2. It depends upon the risk to reward ratio.
If you’re willing to risk your life for some cheap thrill, or if you’re willing to place yourself in harm’s way to save a tree or a forest, you might be a fanatic. The cause or the reward is not worth the risk.
But if you’re willing to place yourself in harm’s way or risk your life in order to save another human life, or to protect your family, or guard your country, then you’re not a fanatic, you’re noble and honorable. It’s not fanaticism when you understand the risk to reward ratio. There are some things that are worth giving your life for and it’s not fanaticism, it’s understanding the risk to reward ratio.
And when people accuse Christians of being fanatical and foolish, I think it’s because they must not really understand the risk to reward ratio.
Well, in the Bible, in the book of Matthew chapter 13 Jesus tells two parables that illustrates how incredibly valuable the Kingdom of God is and why Jesus Christ is worthy of our total devotion. These parables dispel the myth that Christians shouldn’t be too committed to their faith. It shows us why we ought to be the most enthusiastic, committed followers of Christ that we can possibly be.
We’ve been in a sermon series on “Myths About the Church.” There are all kinds of myths about the church floating around out in the culture. The past two weeks we’ve looked at myths like: Christians should be seen and not heard – it’s fine to believe what you like but don’t try to impose your values on me. There’s the myth that the church isn’t for everyone – some people like it and it helps them and that’s fine, but it’s not for everyone.
Today, I want to look at the myth that says, “Don’t Get Fanatical About Your Faith.” Maybe you’ve heard that warning from friends when they heard that you were attending church regularly. Or perhaps that’s the way some of you feel and think today. It’s the idea that says, “It’s okay to go to church, but just don’t get too involved.” “I believe in moderation in all things.” “It’s okay to go to church, but don’t become one of those right-wing fundamentalists that become so obnoxious that they turn people off.”
Is it possible for Christians to become too fanatical about their faith? Well, that depends on a couple of factors. First of all:
1. It depends up on our definition of fanatic.
One thesaurus used these words to define a fanatic: Crank. Bigot. Maniac. Extremist. Cult leaders like David Koresh and Jim Jones fit that definition. They were maniacs who lost their perspective and were outside of God’s will. So, Christians should not be fanatics like that.
But the same thesaurus gave these words to define a fanatic: Zealot. Diehard. Fervent devotee. Enthusiast. The Apostle Paul and the great reformer Martin Luther would fit that description. If Christianity is true, we ought to be fervent, we ought to be enthusiastic about our faith. That’s why Jesus said the very first and greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” (Luke 10:27). So, He deserves total devotion.
The second factor in understanding fanaticism is:
2. It depends upon the risk to reward ratio.
If you’re willing to risk your life for some cheap thrill, or if you’re willing to place yourself in harm’s way to save a tree or a forest, you might be a fanatic. The cause or the reward is not worth the risk.
But if you’re willing to place yourself in harm’s way or risk your life in order to save another human life, or to protect your family, or guard your country, then you’re not a fanatic, you’re noble and honorable. It’s not fanaticism when you understand the risk to reward ratio. There are some things that are worth giving your life for and it’s not fanaticism, it’s understanding the risk to reward ratio.
And when people accuse Christians of being fanatical and foolish, I think it’s because they must not really understand the risk to reward ratio.
Well, in the Bible, in the book of Matthew chapter 13 Jesus tells two parables that illustrates how incredibly valuable the Kingdom of God is and why Jesus Christ is worthy of our total devotion. These parables dispel the myth that Christians shouldn’t be too committed to their faith. It shows us why we ought to be the most enthusiastic, committed followers of Christ that we can possibly be.
From these parables, I want us to see the valuable discovery, the costly decision, and the profitable dividend. And I hope that, when we leave today, we’ll be moved in our hearts to be fully devoted followers of Christ.
I want you to see first of all:
I want you to see first of all:
I. The Valuable Discovery
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man found.” Now, in Bible times people would frequently bury their treasure in the ground. It was considered the one safe depository. Because of government unrest and constant wars and invasions, people would bury their treasures in the ground. You remember the one talent man in the parable in Matthew 25 buried his money in the ground.
Well, evidently someone buried a full treasure in the ground and never came back to retrieve it. Maybe they were killed in war. Years later this hired hand is plowing an ordinary field and uncovers this buried treasure. Can’t you imagine him plowing along and all the sudden the plow hits an obstruction. He stops the oxen, bends over to look in the dirt. It looks like some kind of wooden chest. He pushes away the dirt, his heart pounding with excitement. He pries open the lid and there glistening in the sun is thousands of dollars’ worth of precious jewels and coins. He looks around to see if anyone sees him, covers it back over, marks the spot and begins to plot what he’s going to do next.
Now, just as this farmer made this valuable discovery of a hidden treasure, in Jesus Christ we discover the valuable treasure of:
1. The forgiveness of sins
What is it worth to you to know that your past is completely forgiven? How much would you be willing to pay to know that when you stood before God, every bad thing that you’d ever done will be forgiven, the slate wiped clean? That is exactly what God promises us in Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
Well, evidently someone buried a full treasure in the ground and never came back to retrieve it. Maybe they were killed in war. Years later this hired hand is plowing an ordinary field and uncovers this buried treasure. Can’t you imagine him plowing along and all the sudden the plow hits an obstruction. He stops the oxen, bends over to look in the dirt. It looks like some kind of wooden chest. He pushes away the dirt, his heart pounding with excitement. He pries open the lid and there glistening in the sun is thousands of dollars’ worth of precious jewels and coins. He looks around to see if anyone sees him, covers it back over, marks the spot and begins to plot what he’s going to do next.
Now, just as this farmer made this valuable discovery of a hidden treasure, in Jesus Christ we discover the valuable treasure of:
1. The forgiveness of sins
What is it worth to you to know that your past is completely forgiven? How much would you be willing to pay to know that when you stood before God, every bad thing that you’d ever done will be forgiven, the slate wiped clean? That is exactly what God promises us in Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
Jesus Christ removes your sins as far as the east is from the west. He buries them in the deepest sea and remembers them no more. And that’s not available anywhere else but in Jesus Christ. All the money in the world can’t buy it, but He freely gives it. What a rare, valuable treasure. That’s why He’s worthy of our full devotion.
In Jesus Christ, we discover the valuable treasure of:
2. Eternal life
If you discovered a vitamin that, if people just took it, it would guarantee them five more years of healthy living, you would be a billionaire tomorrow, because the one commodity that is more valued than anything else we possess is life. Jesus said:
In Jesus Christ, we discover the valuable treasure of:
2. Eternal life
If you discovered a vitamin that, if people just took it, it would guarantee them five more years of healthy living, you would be a billionaire tomorrow, because the one commodity that is more valued than anything else we possess is life. Jesus said:
Now, some of us have heard that so often we’ve come to take it for granted. But what is eternal life worth? There’s no price tag. It’s worth everything we have. And only Jesus can legitimately make that offer because He’s the only one who proved it was possible by coming back from the grave. And He’s the one who said:
But that promise can only be granted through Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
What is the promise of eternal life worth? It’s worth everything. That’s why Jesus Christ is worthy of our total devotion.
In Jesus Christ we also find the treasure of:
3. Fellowship with other believers
How much is a friend worth to you? How much would you be willing to pay for someone who was loyal and really loved you? Now, many people in the world have friends, but there is a fellowship available in Jesus Christ that is richer than is available in the world. It is broader because there’s a network of people all over the world who believe in Jesus Christ. It is quicker because there is a common commitment to Christ that means we share immediately the same values and dreams. And it is deeper because we are more than friends; we are brothers and sisters with the same Father. And many of you would say, “Some of the best friends I got in life, closer than my family, are people in the church.”
In Jesus Christ we also find the treasure of:
3. Fellowship with other believers
How much is a friend worth to you? How much would you be willing to pay for someone who was loyal and really loved you? Now, many people in the world have friends, but there is a fellowship available in Jesus Christ that is richer than is available in the world. It is broader because there’s a network of people all over the world who believe in Jesus Christ. It is quicker because there is a common commitment to Christ that means we share immediately the same values and dreams. And it is deeper because we are more than friends; we are brothers and sisters with the same Father. And many of you would say, “Some of the best friends I got in life, closer than my family, are people in the church.”
What a valuable treasure fellowship is. And, in Jesus Christ we also find:
4. God’s unconditional love
The Bible says:
4. God’s unconditional love
The Bible says:
I’m a father of four children, and although I am imperfect, having children has taught me a little about unconditional love. I love my kids not just because they are wonderful people (because we all know that sometimes they’re not). Part of the reason I love them is simply because they’re mine. They are a part of me. I love my kids. I am happiest and most content when I have all of my children at home. But it’s not always pleasant. There have been many times over the years that they’ve woke me up during the night because of a bad dream or because of sickness (and then there you are in the middle of night bleary eyed listening to your child cry while you’re trying to clean up the mess). But even then, I loved them. There have been times that they’ve been disobedient, and disrespectful and it’s made me pretty angry and I’ve had to discipline them, but even then, I still loved them. And kids can be pretty expensive, especially when they go away to college, and they’re so busy studying and having fun that they don’t call, but even then, I love them and can’t wait to hear from them and look forward to the next time they can be at home with me. If they were to get terminally ill, or they were to become mentally or physically disabled and I would have to constantly look after them and care for them the rest of their life . . . that would be extremely difficult, but I would still love them. I might even come to love them more, because they would be closer to me and need me even more.
Now, I am an imperfect father, but I know a little bit about unconditional love. But God is a perfect, loving, heavenly father who knows and understands everything about you. And when you accept Him as your Savior, He adopts you into His family, and He loves you with an everlasting love.
Now, I am an imperfect father, but I know a little bit about unconditional love. But God is a perfect, loving, heavenly father who knows and understands everything about you. And when you accept Him as your Savior, He adopts you into His family, and He loves you with an everlasting love.
He loves you when you do well and when you fail. He loves you when you’re loveable and when you’re despicable. He loves you when you worship Him and when you neglect Him. He loves you with an everlasting love.
What would the gift of unconditional love be worth to you? How much would you be willing to pay for it? Well, you can’t buy it with all the money in the world, but you can receive it through Jesus Christ. Jesus said:
What would the gift of unconditional love be worth to you? How much would you be willing to pay for it? Well, you can’t buy it with all the money in the world, but you can receive it through Jesus Christ. Jesus said:
What is the treasure of the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, fellowship with other believers, and God’s unconditional love worth?
Well, once this hired hand uncovered this valuable treasure he made:
Well, once this hired hand uncovered this valuable treasure he made:
II. A Costly Decision
“He went and sold everything he had and bought the field.” Now, don’t you think that his friends must have thought that he had lost his mind? They probably said, “What a fanatic, he sold his house, he sold his jewelry, he sold his cart and his oxen. What in world is he doing? He might own a field now, but he doesn’t have a house to live in and he doesn’t have any oxen or any equipment to work the field. How stupid.”
But he wasn’t a fanatic. He hadn’t lost his mind. He knew something that they did not yet know: that he was purchasing a treasure that was worth many times all of his earthly possessions.
And isn’t that a picture of what the early Christians did? Once they discovered the treasure of Jesus Christ, they sold their possessions (Acts 4:32). They left their homes (Acts 8:1). Some like the apostle Paul gave up their careers and their ambitions. Paul had been a young, promising, inspiring politician, but when he met Jesus Christ he gave it all up to become a traveling evangelist and to become poor and spend time in prison. He wrote:
But he wasn’t a fanatic. He hadn’t lost his mind. He knew something that they did not yet know: that he was purchasing a treasure that was worth many times all of his earthly possessions.
And isn’t that a picture of what the early Christians did? Once they discovered the treasure of Jesus Christ, they sold their possessions (Acts 4:32). They left their homes (Acts 8:1). Some like the apostle Paul gave up their careers and their ambitions. Paul had been a young, promising, inspiring politician, but when he met Jesus Christ he gave it all up to become a traveling evangelist and to become poor and spend time in prison. He wrote:
Festus, a politician, told Paul, “You’re out of your mind, Paul. Your great learning is driving you insane.” But Paul said, “I’m not insane, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and reasonable. I’ve not lost my mind. I’m not a fanatic. It’s just that I’ve discovered this treasure in Jesus Christ that’s worth more than being a politician.”
And today there are people who faithfully attend worship services at church every Sunday morning. For some it’s their only day to sleep in, but they don’t sleep in; instead, they get up and attend worship services every Sunday morning. They almost never miss unless they are sick or out of town. Does that seem fanatical to you? Maybe it’s because they know something that you do not yet know. They’ve discovered a valuable treasure in Jesus Christ that’s worth more than sleeping in on Sunday.
There are a number of Christian people who give a tenth of their income and some even more than that to the church or to Christian causes. Does that sound fanatical to you? It might, if you have not yet come to understand the valuable treasure we find in Jesus Christ and in His Kingdom.
In two weeks from today on September 24th we’re going to have our annual Great Day of Service. We take one Sunday in the fall every year and we line up service projects all over Elizabeth City. We have an abbreviated service that morning and then we split up into groups and do service projects all over the city. Why go through all that trouble and expense when it would be a whole lot easier to just have our regular Sunday morning worship service? Are we fanatics? Not when you understand that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and this gives us an opportunity to express our care and love through service, so that we might have the opportunity to share the priceless treasure of Jesus Christ with them.
· That’s why many of us have made financial sacrifices to help build the new foyer, office space, and children’s wing. So that we can minister to and serve more people.
· That’s why we’ve recently started a preschool. It’s a service to the community.
· That’s why we think it’s important to have a full-time youth minister and children’s director.
· That’s why we have a benevolence ministry that’s on track to give around $18,000 this year to people in need in the community.
· That’s why we’re giving $40,000 this year to local and foreign missions around the world: to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
Have we gone crazy? Have we lost our minds? Are we fanatics? Not when you know what we know. That we have this valuable treasure in Jesus Christ and it’s worth everything we have.
You know there are people who feel like they can never do enough, they can never give enough to Christ and the furtherance of His Kingdom. They give sacrificially of their time by volunteering to serve in various ways whether it’s teaching a class, helping prepare communion, greeting people at the door, or cleaning the building.
Is that the way you feel? Like you can’t give or do enough for the Lord and His kingdom? You’re just so grateful. You’re so thankful. Are you volunteering your time, talent and treasure? If that sounds like fanaticism to you, you must not really grasp the valuable treasure we find in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. Or perhaps you’ve not really thought about all the people in the world who still do not yet know about the valuable treasure of God’s unconditional love, fellowship in the church, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.
You see, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure that you find in Jesus Christ, and when you realize it’s value, you are willing to give up everything you have for Him and His kingdom.
Well, when this farm hand in the parable found this treasure and purchased it, he then realized:
And today there are people who faithfully attend worship services at church every Sunday morning. For some it’s their only day to sleep in, but they don’t sleep in; instead, they get up and attend worship services every Sunday morning. They almost never miss unless they are sick or out of town. Does that seem fanatical to you? Maybe it’s because they know something that you do not yet know. They’ve discovered a valuable treasure in Jesus Christ that’s worth more than sleeping in on Sunday.
There are a number of Christian people who give a tenth of their income and some even more than that to the church or to Christian causes. Does that sound fanatical to you? It might, if you have not yet come to understand the valuable treasure we find in Jesus Christ and in His Kingdom.
In two weeks from today on September 24th we’re going to have our annual Great Day of Service. We take one Sunday in the fall every year and we line up service projects all over Elizabeth City. We have an abbreviated service that morning and then we split up into groups and do service projects all over the city. Why go through all that trouble and expense when it would be a whole lot easier to just have our regular Sunday morning worship service? Are we fanatics? Not when you understand that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and this gives us an opportunity to express our care and love through service, so that we might have the opportunity to share the priceless treasure of Jesus Christ with them.
· That’s why many of us have made financial sacrifices to help build the new foyer, office space, and children’s wing. So that we can minister to and serve more people.
· That’s why we’ve recently started a preschool. It’s a service to the community.
· That’s why we think it’s important to have a full-time youth minister and children’s director.
· That’s why we have a benevolence ministry that’s on track to give around $18,000 this year to people in need in the community.
· That’s why we’re giving $40,000 this year to local and foreign missions around the world: to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
Have we gone crazy? Have we lost our minds? Are we fanatics? Not when you know what we know. That we have this valuable treasure in Jesus Christ and it’s worth everything we have.
You know there are people who feel like they can never do enough, they can never give enough to Christ and the furtherance of His Kingdom. They give sacrificially of their time by volunteering to serve in various ways whether it’s teaching a class, helping prepare communion, greeting people at the door, or cleaning the building.
Is that the way you feel? Like you can’t give or do enough for the Lord and His kingdom? You’re just so grateful. You’re so thankful. Are you volunteering your time, talent and treasure? If that sounds like fanaticism to you, you must not really grasp the valuable treasure we find in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. Or perhaps you’ve not really thought about all the people in the world who still do not yet know about the valuable treasure of God’s unconditional love, fellowship in the church, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.
You see, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure that you find in Jesus Christ, and when you realize it’s value, you are willing to give up everything you have for Him and His kingdom.
Well, when this farm hand in the parable found this treasure and purchased it, he then realized:
III. The Profitable Dividend.
Why was he joyful? He was joyful because he knew what the others did not yet know and that was: he was rich. So, he didn’t begrudge this sacrifice one bit. He was excited about it. He was glad to pray the price because the reward was worth it.
Now look at verses 45 and 46 of Matthew chapter 13. Jesus illustrates the same truth with a second parable, but I want you to see one key difference between these parables.
Now look at verses 45 and 46 of Matthew chapter 13. Jesus illustrates the same truth with a second parable, but I want you to see one key difference between these parables.
The main difference between these two parables is: the man who found the treasure in the field found it accidentally; the man who found this pearl of great price found it after a prolonged, deliberate search.
Some people just seemingly find the Lord accidentally. They bump into a friend, the friend asks them to come to church and they come casually, not expecting a whole lot and all the sudden it’s like the Lord gets a hold of their heart and completely transforms their life. Or they’re going through a store and they find a book and read the book and the book introduces them to the Lord. And it seems accidental. But other people find the Lord after a prolonged, deliberate intellectual search for truth, or a search to find help and healing from life’s hurts.
But both of these men experienced great joy in finding the item of value. And that’s the joy of those who find the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ.
Now, if all of this sounds far-fetched and fanatical to you, then there’s probably something you do not yet understand about Jesus Christ. Chances are you still have not grasp the vast treasure that can be found in Him.
So, let me challenge you today, as we close, to begin today, no matter where you’re at in your understanding of Jesus Christ, to make a deliberate, prolonged effort to discover the valuable, rich, life that you can find in Jesus Christ. Make a decision today to begin coming back here faithfully every week to discover the valuable treasure of Jesus Christ who is worthy of our total devotion.
Some people just seemingly find the Lord accidentally. They bump into a friend, the friend asks them to come to church and they come casually, not expecting a whole lot and all the sudden it’s like the Lord gets a hold of their heart and completely transforms their life. Or they’re going through a store and they find a book and read the book and the book introduces them to the Lord. And it seems accidental. But other people find the Lord after a prolonged, deliberate intellectual search for truth, or a search to find help and healing from life’s hurts.
But both of these men experienced great joy in finding the item of value. And that’s the joy of those who find the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ.
Now, if all of this sounds far-fetched and fanatical to you, then there’s probably something you do not yet understand about Jesus Christ. Chances are you still have not grasp the vast treasure that can be found in Him.
So, let me challenge you today, as we close, to begin today, no matter where you’re at in your understanding of Jesus Christ, to make a deliberate, prolonged effort to discover the valuable, rich, life that you can find in Jesus Christ. Make a decision today to begin coming back here faithfully every week to discover the valuable treasure of Jesus Christ who is worthy of our total devotion.