Daily Devotional July 26, 2021

Yesterday, I preached from the 20th chapter of the Book of Acts.  It is one of my all-time favorite stories, because as Paul is preaching, Eutychus sits in a window, falls asleep, falls out the window and dies. 

It’s pretty obvious why I like this scripture passage.  The message is simple:  “If you fall asleep in one of my sermons, you will die.”

But knowing for the past 16 years, the congregation at FUMC Temple has never had trouble paying attention to any of my sermons, I asked in the 8:30 service if anyone had ever struggled through the years to stay awake as I preached.

At that moment, in the very back of the sanctuary, Brian started waving and jerking his arm in the air.  I thought he was either having an epileptic seizure or Susie was hitting him with a stun gun.  Then I realized Brian was emphatically affirming the fact that he had trouble staying awake in my sermons.

Then, after the service, as I stood in the back of the sanctuary, I heard Chris, who heads our AV ministry, tell CaroI I tricked him into listening to my sermons three times every Sunday.  Carol asked if the third sermon was better than the first.

But that’s the 8:30 crowd.  They are a pretty rough bunch.  So, I decided to ask the same question at the 11:00 worship service.  That’s when I discovered the 11:00 crowd was no different than the 8:30 crowd.

When I asked the question, David didn’t hold up one hand.  He held up two.  In fact, he looked like a cheerleader at a pep rally. 

Mike was in the balcony.  I’m not even going to say what he did.  I am hurt.  I will leave it at that.

So, why do the people continually come, Sunday after Sunday, to FUMC Temple to struggle to stay awake during the sermon?  It’s because they know the real reason for worship.

Worship is not about what we get out of it.  It’ about offering ourselves, both individually, and as the corporate family of faith, to the One who gives us love, purpose, and eternal life.

This is what Paul meant by saying, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.”  (Romans 12:1)

Worship is not about what we get out of it.  It’s what we put into it that matters.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, today, I offer myself to you without hesitation or reservation.  Use my for your purpose.  Please accept my humble offer of love and worship.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Giving yourself to God is what true worship is all about.  It’s the best way to live.

Also, just for the record, yesterday, as David left the sanctuary, he told me he raised both hands because out of the hundreds of sermons he’s heard me preach, there have only been two sermons he struggled through.

For me, two is two too many.  I know all my sermons are true works of art.

My humility has always been my greatest asset.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins