Casualness

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Casualness

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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Tonight, I would like to examine a very practical topic – casualness.  It is something that seems harmless and even comfortable. BUT it can have dangerous consequences, both within our society and spiritually as well.  From time to time we mention concerns about casualness, but tonight I would like to focus on it.

  1. The problem of casualness
    1. We live in a very casual society today. Much more than in times past.  Not too many decades ago, when people went out they would dress up – when traveling, going to a restaurant or some form of entertainment.  It was just what was expected.  It was the culture.  But not anymore.  We now live in a very casual society – and it is reflected not only in what one wears (and when), but in attitudes and our approach to dealing with problems and relationships.  In fact it is considered a good thing to have a casual attitude.  It is a product of postmodernism where absolute truth is questioned.  This causes many to dismiss efforts to truly define truth in a given situation.  Along with this is the quest for inclusiveness and avoiding boundaries.  Casualness attitudes can ignore boundaries.  And while there are areas where that might be true, it is filled with problems and troubles.
    2. And that casual attitude has also made its way into religious culture and into the Lord’s church in many places. Some of the largest mega churches have adopted a more casual approach to worship and even standards of living.  Morals are watered down, faithfulness is treated as a suggestion and not a command.  AT the core of this is a diminished view of God who tolerates and accepts just about anything.  As a result with each generation churches are drifting further away from the truth.  And if we are not careful, it can infect us as well.  Furthermore, Sunday is not regarded as special anymore.  It is a just another day
    3. It was a problem throughout Biblical history –
      1. In the days of Noah when the people ignored his warnings of impending judgment;
      2. Another example of casualness was when David first transported the Ark to Jerusalem. Uzzah died because he tried to prevent the ark from falling as it was improperly transported (2 Samuel 6).
      3. 2 Chronicles 24:5, when King Josiah (the last faithful king of Judah) sought to repair the house of God and restore true worship, he commissioned the priests and Levites to get to work. “However, the Levites did not do it quickly.”
      4. It is also descriptive of the lukewarm church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-17.
    4. When we discuss this we are usually thinking about what we are wearing. But that is not the issue.  It’s not about a dress code.  But if someone has to talk to you about that, the problem is deeper.  It is a symptom of a casual heart.
    5. The danger of casualness is that it can lead to drifting and eventually falling away or a nominal faith if not checked. So let’s talk about being too casual.
  2. Consider who we are worshipping
    1. We must continually remind ourselves of the holiness of God. Remember when Moses was at Mt. Horeb seeing the burning bush.  He was told to take off his shoes because it was holy ground. (Exodus 3:5). What made it holy was being in God’s presence.  Later when Moses asks to see God’s glory, he is given limited access on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 33:18-23).   There are several such key moments in scripture that demonstrate WHO we are worshipping and serving.  He is NOT our casual friend, but our holy God.
    2. Jesus is also described in lofty terms – 1 Timothy 6:15 – He is described as our blessed and only Potentate (sovereign Lord), King of king and Lord of lords. Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God has highly exalted Him.
    3. He was upset with offerings made without thought or by corrupted lives –
      1. Leviticus 10:1-3 is one of the most common illustrations of this – Nadab and Abihu.
      2. Amos 5:21-24 – YHWH speaking to Israel declared that He hated their sacrifices and fest days. The VERY THINGS He commanded He now rejected. Why? Because of the people’s hearts. They had become casual in their worship of YHWH and often turned to other gods.  Some are even mentioned in the text – vs. 26-27.
      3. Malachi 1:6-9 – they were offering leftovers to God which demonstrates their casual attitude. Later in their offerings they cry, “O what a weariness” – Malachi 1:11-14.
    4. Matthew 25:14-30 – What made the one talent servant condemned? He was lazy and fearful (at least that is what he said), but consider the casual attitude he had toward his master.
    5. Revelation 2:1-7 – the church at Ephesus had left their first love. Here is the description of a church that once was loyal to God, and even “now” their actions were “faithful”, but the fire was burning out. Had a casual attitude crept into their midst?
    6. Hebrews 10:26-31 – Heed the warning when we begin to let our service to Him slip away.
  3. Whatever we do must be with purpose
    1. Serving God begins with the heart – Matthew 22:37 – the greatest commandment! All others commands reflect off of that one.
    2. We cannot approach our faith with a casual attitude – cf. Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46 – mere words are not sufficient to serve God.
    3. God demands and deserves our very best –
      1. The first example of this was Abel in Genesis 4:4 – where he brought the firstborn, while Cain only brought an offering of the fruit of the ground.
      2. Be reminded again of Malachi 1.
      3. Romans 12:1 calls for us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him.
      4. Colossians 3:23 notes that whatever we do, it must be heartily, as to the Lord.
      5. Romans 12:11 – not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit
    4. Consider this in our worship
      1. The Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:24ff – discerning the Lord’s body
      2. Singing and praying – 1 Corinthians 14:15
      3. Giving – it should not be leftovers, but what is purposed – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7/
      4. Studying His word – Acts 17:11 – the Bereans, Acts 10:33 – Cornelius was ready to hear.
      5. Hebrews 12:24-25 – in attendance, we must be serious. How many adopt a casual attitude toward attendance.  They will be there when it is convenient for them.
      6. Consider yourself – 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examination. Does your appearance reflect casualness – not JUST your clothing, but your attitude, participation, punctuality, etc.
  4. Avoiding casualness.
    1. Remember who you are serving (as we have noted) – Hebrews 12:28-29.  Remember the first commandment – Matthew 22:37-38
    2. Seek to understand holiness – 1 Peter 1:15-17 – we are to be holy, even as He is holy. That is why we seek to understand His holiness.
    3. Prepare your heart to serve God – Ezra 7:10. Joel 2:13 – rend your hearts and not your garments. Romans 12:1-2 – we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Do NOT forget the emphasis of preparation.  Faithfulness does not always come naturally.  We need to prepare ourselves to worship Him properly, as we interact with society, in our homes, etc.
    4. Let God’s word govern your life – Colossians 3:16-17 – let it dwell in you richly. Romans 1:16-17.  Spending quality time in God’s word is key to not being casual toward Him.
    5. Understand obedience from the heart – cf. 1 Samuel 15:22-23. We have to respect God’s boundaries.
    6. Beware of the danger of drifting – Hebrews 2:1-3. 1 Corinthians 10:12 also warns us to take heed lest we fall.
    7. When you begin to drift, reorient yourself – renew your mind. Ephesians 4:22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  NOTE: To be renewed in the spirt of your mind is an ongoing process.

  It is my hope that in this lesson we are reminded that we must guard against becoming “casual” in our service to God.  He both demands and deserves more than that. And if you are to keep growing as He expects, it will require more than a casual attitude.  Are you too casual? Think about it!

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