Introduction: A Spiritual Smorgasbord
This morning I want to talk about the spiritual hunger in our world. There’s no question about it—people are searching. Our human spirits are wired to crave the spiritual. The only question is: what table are we eating from?
I came across something fascinating the other day. You can buy shelves full of books aimed at teens about witchcraft, spells, crystals, and manifestation journals. They market it as fun, harmless, even empowering—“just a little folklore, just a little self-expression.” And they fly off the shelves.
And if that isn’t enough, scroll TikTok for ten minutes. Spirituality is everywhere. I saw one clip called the “17-second manifestation method.” Millions of people are trying it. Here’s the idea: focus on something you want for just 17 seconds, repeat a positive affirmation, and the universe will supposedly start rearranging itself to give it to you. That’s it—seventeen seconds.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Taking time to pause, reflect, breathe—that’s healthy. But here’s my question: Can 17 seconds really change your eternity? Can a spiritual hack on your phone truly carry you through the storms of life and into the presence of God?
That, friends, is what I call a spiritual smorgasbord. A little of this, a little of that. Borrow a ritual here, pick up a mantra there, dabble in crystals, mix in a Bible verse, add a dash of positive vibes. Build your own faith, your own way.
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Smorgasbord Culture
This buffet mentality isn’t new. It’s how our culture lives.
Back when many of us grew up, families sat down at the dinner table. One meal, one menu. You ate what was served, or you went hungry. Today it’s more like a fast-food court. Everybody grazes, nibbling here and there, eating what they want when they want.
Entertainment’s the same way. Some of you remember when TV had three major networks. You watched what was on at 8 o’clock, because that’s all there was. Now? Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu—thousands of shows on demand. I’ve met people who spend more time scrolling through options than watching anything.
That same consumer mindset has spilled into spirituality. People say, “You may have what works for you, and I’ll have what works for me. Your truth is yours, my truth is mine.”
But let me ask you: does truth work that way? Does eternity?
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Modern Religion: Custom-Built Faith
Sociologists even have a word for this: “Quest culture.” Everyone’s on a journey. We like to imagine ourselves exploring, discovering, finding our own way. Just look at the names we give our cars and tech—Explorer, Pathfinder, Odyssey, Model X, Rivian Adventure. Nobody names their car Rambler anymore. No one wants to ramble. We want to quest.
And so people invent their own little “isms.” One sociologist told the story of a young nurse named Sheila. She said, “I believe in God. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. I call it Sheila-ism. My religion is basically loving myself and being gentle with myself.”
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure anyone wants to build a cathedral to Sheila-ism. I don’t know anyone who would give their life as a martyr for that.
Why does it appeal? Because when you design your own faith, you’re in control. It never inconveniences you. It never challenges you. And there’s no ultimate authority before whom you must bow.
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Paul in Athens – Acts 17
This isn’t new. Paul ran into the same thing in Athens. They were a tolerant society when it came to spiritual things—temples everywhere, altars everywhere. Paul even found one “To an Unknown God.” Athens was like the Netflix of gods—scroll through the options, pick what works.
And Paul stood up and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious. But what you worship as unknown, I will proclaim to you.”
Friends, that’s exactly what our world needs today—not another option on the buffet, but the living God who made heaven and earth.
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Five Pictures of God
Paul lays out five realities about God. I want to show them to you this morning in picture form.
1. A Globe – God the Creator
Paul says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.” You don’t create God. God created you. In Him we live and move and have our being.
Everything about you—your body, your mind, your breath, your thoughts—is a gift from Him. Elon Musk may own rockets, Jeff Bezos may own Amazon, but neither of them made the air they breathe. God is the Creator, and He wants to be known.
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2. Scales – God the Judge
Paul continues: “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice.”
We long for justice, don’t we? You read headlines about corruption, abuse, innocent children harmed—and something in you cries out, This is not right. The Bible promises a day when God will set it all right.
But here’s the sobering truth: the standard of justice is perfect holiness. Not “better than my neighbor,” not “better than average.” Holiness. Who measures up to that? None of us.
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3. A Lifeline – God the Savior
That’s why God sent a Savior. Not another option, not another idea, but a lifeline.
People today love to say, “You are your own savior. Look in the mirror. Believe in yourself.” That sounds empowering, but friends, it’s not true. Try telling your spouse tomorrow morning, “Honey, see that person in the mirror? That’s your savior.” See how much peace that brings into your home.
We cannot save ourselves. You can’t pray enough, give enough, attend enough. You need a Savior. And God has provided one—Jesus Christ.
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4. A One-Way Sign – God the Only Way
Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Not one of many ways. The way. Not one truth among others. The truth.
That’s not narrow-minded. That’s God saying, “Here’s the bridge. Take it.”
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5. ABC Blocks – Our Response
Finally, the ABCs. Like a child’s blocks. Simple, but life-changing.
A is for Acknowledge – Admit that you’ve sinned, fallen short. (Romans 3:23).
B is for Believe – Believe Jesus came, died in your place, and rose again.
C is for Commit – Commit your life to Him. Hand Him the reins. Let Him be Lord.
That’s it. Not complicated. But it is life-altering.
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The Appeal
So here’s the question: What are you going to hang your eternity on? TikTok trends? Manifestation journals? A man-made spiritual buffet? Or the Savior who died for you and rose again?
Today is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Today.
You don’t add Jesus to a list of options. He’s not another flavor at the buffet. He is the bread of life. The only way. The Savior of the world.
And the good news is this: when He died on the cross, He didn’t make a down payment—He made a “Paid in Full” payment. For you.
Will you acknowledge, believe, and commit? Will you trust Him today?
