Are You Satisfied?

“When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

“‘“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.”

“‘I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

“‘To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

“‘“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.”

“For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.” [1]

“I know the secret of people who come to church, year in and year out, and they are never dissatisfied with what happens at the church. They like the preacher ‘enough,’ they’re generally satisfied with the programs of the church, and you’ll never hear any griping coming from them. They don’t require much of the church. That’s it. That’s their secret.” [2] Joe McKeever hit the bullseye with that observation. These are his notes hastily jotted down in a worship service when that revelation came to him. “Key to surviving the upheavals in the modern church is to need less and less from your church. That way, no matter what happens you will never be disappointed. Will never be hurt. Will never be offended.”

People such as just described go to church, sit through the service, perhaps they connect with what’s going on down front or perhaps not; however, they don’t expect much. They don’t require anything from the service or the pastor; therefore, they never leave with an empty tank or a dissatisfied spirit. They’re just putting in time, just checking it off. They will be quick to say, “We go to church every Sunday.”

Not requiring much means not expecting much. If we expect little and that’s what we get, we’re never disappointed. Church members such as these are never disappointed. They are not people you would want to build a church on; but they won’t fight you. They won’t tear a church apart because they didn’t get what they wanted; in fact, they are perfectly satisfied.

“What did you go out to see?” Three times it is recorded that Jesus asked those crowded about Him what they were seeking when they went out to hear John the Baptist. Perhaps He could be asking that of people attending a church service today, “What are you looking for?” Perhaps Jesus could ask of each of us in attendance this day, “What do you expect to see?”

On another occasion, a blind man who sat beside the road where he could beg as people passed by, heard the noise of the crowd following Jesus as He walked by. That blind man repeatedly cried out until Jesus commanded that the man be brought before Him. When the blind man was at last in front of the Master, Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you” [LUKE 18:41]? Again, it would be appropriate to ask people attending church services today, “What do you want?” It would be good to ask, “What do you think Jesus can do for you?” We attend the services with expectations; we come seeking something. Do we know what we want?

The message is meant to challenge each one sharing the services to clarify why they have come to the House of God. Why are you here today? What do you expect from the Lord Jesus? All about us are people who have needs—great needs. Do we serve a God who is unable to meet their needs? Is it true, as we aver, that Jesus is able to meet the needs of those who come to Him? When we come to the House of God, we hear the preacher proclaiming a message from the Word of God; it is fair to ask if this is the Word of life. Why do you come to a given church service? Why have you come to this particular service today? What do you expect to find here among the people of God? This is the question for this day. May God guide us as we endeavour to find His answer.