Are You Playing Church?
Did you ever “play church” as a child? Usually those children who are regularly in attendance at church services and have observed their parents in consistent participation in worship and Bible study conducted at the building will “play church”. The purpose for this is not to ridicule the parent’s actions, but rather to emulate. They are imitating what they see in Dad and Mom. In fact, such activity is likely a compliment. Someone once said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Copying someone can be a high form of praise.
Children do this in many ways. We’ve all seen the little fellow with his toy lawn mower mirroring the efforts of Dad as he cuts the lawn, or the little girl that insists on wearing an apron “just like Mom”. This is part of childhood in which the young are molded as they continue to develop as they grow to become adolescents and ultimately assume the role of adult. When the very young boy, realizing that only the male is to preach, aligns his siblings on the stairs at home and announces something akin to “I’m gonna ‘pweach’ now”, it shows that he is being molded and influenced positively.
But childhood will pass and adulthood with all its cares is upon us before we know it. What then? Have we had a deep devotion for God instilled within us, and do we remain dedicated? Or do we simply attend out of duty, habit, or even to please someone else? Do we need to be reminded of the Words of Jesus in Luke 17:10 as He spoke to His disciples? He said: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” If we consider our service to God “our duty” we are unprofitable.
Have we forgotten that upon obeying the gospel, we made a vow to God, an oath to live in faithfulness to His Word? Have we remained committed out of love and devotion to Him? Are we pleasing to Him? Are we properly preparing for eternity? Do we seek every opportunity to learn what God has taught in His Word so we can follow it, or do we try to set the standard, hoping that God is going to ‘accept’ whatever we offer in service to Him? Are we deluded into thinking God will accept “unprofitable servants”?
Perhaps we should review the parable of the talents from Matt chapter 25. There, we have Jesus, preparing His disciples for the kingdom, the church for which He would soon die on the cross to purchase. He often taught them in parables. In this one, He began by stating, “For the kingdom of heaven” (the church) “is as a man travelling into a far country , who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.” (Vs 14). To summarize, Christ told how His own servants were entrusted with various amounts of “talents” (monies), “every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” (Vs 15). Each was expected to use these properly in the absence of his Lord.
From verses 16-18, we have record of what each of the servants did with that with which they had been entrusted. Two of them were diligent, applied themselves, and continually bore fruit for their Lord. The other was “afraid”, did little, or nothing and failed to produce. Then, in verse 19, there came a time of reckoning. The results are recorded in verses 20-29 with the reward being given those ‘faithful’ servants, and retribution meted out to the wicked and slothful servant. Matt 25:30 lists the finality of his punishment and the same will be the eternal fate of all who are “unprofitable”. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In that great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned His disciples to “Beware of false prophets” (Matt 7:15). He said they came in “sheep’s clothing”, but on the inside, they were “ravening wolves”. How were the true believers to recognize such? According to Matt 7:16a, He told them, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Then the Lord used the analogy of an “unprofitable” tree and the fate of that tree from verse 19 to show the demise of false prophets as well as children of God in the kingdom (Christians) who refuse to honor the commitment they made to God when they obeyed the gospel. He said, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” In verse 20, He then reiterated, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” All adults who “play church” are identified by their fruits and should fully expect to be cast into eternal fire when the Lord returns in that final day of reckoning.
In John 15:16, Jesus continued His preparation of His apostles for their ambassadorial mission. Their mission officially began when the promised Comforter came to them after the Lord had been crucified, buried, arisen and ascended back to the Father in Heaven. He told them He had chosen them and ordained them “that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:” The receiving and the delivering the gospel as it was provided them by the Spirit was the fruit in this commission. It would remain. Additionally, the apostles were also required to adhere to the same Law they received through inspiration in continued fruitfulness. They did so to set the proper example and also to retain their hold on the promise of eternal life.
How about today? How is a Christian to avoid “playing church”? Obeying the Scriptures is one place to start. 2Tim 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” Properly following Scripture produces godliness. According to 1Tim 4:8b “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Don’t “play church” here, or you’ll never make it to heaven to spend eternity with God.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
