Appetizer # 11

# 11 Sincerity - honesty of mind or intention

At my home town church about 20 years ago, a young pastor was our guest speaker that day and he started his sermon with the question, "Is God in this church?" The small congregation said, "Yes, God is in this church!"

He proceeded to tell us that about three months prior to preaching at our church, he had the privilege of being a guest speaker at a Presbyterian Church; and wanted to know if this church was truly a Christian church or a religious church. 

He told how he let his beard and hair grow out real long and shabby to the point of looking homeless. He dressed himself in torn and dirty clothes so he looked the part as well. When he walked in the door that Sunday, he said, "Not one person acknowledged him; not even the ushers." 

He purposely sat on the front pew; whereas, no one on his left or right looked his way. The service lasted about an hour or so; and when it was over, it was announced that everyone come downstairs for fellowship. So he followed the crowd. Once everyone got situated, he stood around a while hoping to get asked to sit at some one's table and no one offered, so he sat in a corner alone. He did not say how long he sat there, but he did say, he finally decided to leave; so he slipped out~ unnoticed.

A week later, he arrived at the church to preach his sermon. His hair was cut nice, he had shaved and was wearing a suit and tie. When he walked in the door, everyone, including the ushers could not be more hospitable. He thanked everyone for the warm welcome and went to the alter to prepare for his sermon. 

At the alter, he asked the question, "Is God in this church?" The congregation responded, "Yes!". He asked a second time, "Is God in this church?" Again the congregation responded, "Yes!" The pastor asked the members if they remember a man last Sunday, and he described what he looked like and where he sat. He paused to see if any hands would go up ~ only one! 

The pastor responded, "I'm going to ask one more time, Is God in this church?" The congregations said, "YES", louder! He paused and said, well the man I described last week was me. The whole congregation gasped. And his response was, "God is not in this church!"

Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Hebrews 12:9 AMP