WHAT DID YOU GO OUT TO SEE?

By Danna Shirley

This message was given October 1996 in the Charismatic Service at the Hario Chapel in Japan.

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: ‘what did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.’” (Mt 11:7-9)

This scripture asks the same question three times but gives three different answers:

What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments?

But what did you go out to see? A prophet?

What do we go out to see? What is the purpose of church for us? Or should I say, What is the purpose of gathering together in Jesus’ name?

Every part of our body has a function: eyes see, ears hear, mouths speak, hands labor, feet walk. They function together to accomplish tasks. If there is a breakdown, our body is handicapped. It may still function, but not to capacity.

Every part of the Body of Christ has a function. Each one of us is gifted in a specific way. Each of us has a part in making the Body of Christ function to capacity. These gifts are listed in scripture:

Father’s gifts: prophecy, serving, teaching, exhorting, giving, administration, mercy (Rom 12:3-8)

Holy Spirit’s gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12:4-11)

Christ’s gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers (Eph 4:7, 11-16)

Just as our fleshly body needs nourishment to keep healthy, so does the Body of Christ, or each person that makes up the Body.

Just as we go DAILY to our refrigerator to find nourishment for our flesh, so we must go DAILY to the Word of God for our spiritual nourishment.

But, oh, don’t we like a night out? For pizza, or Mexican, or seafood, or just hamburgers? Is Sunday night our special night out to feast on the Word of God?

So, “What do we go out to see?”

(v7) People shaken by the winds of circumstance?

(v8) People clothed in pretty garments?

(v9) A man of God?

With John the Baptist:

1.      Some came unbelieving (the Pharisees and Saducces). They stood afar off, observing, judging, looking for evidence not to believe. JUST LIKE TODAY!

2.      Some came out of curiosity. To see what it was all about, with an open mind but hesitant to go near the water. JUST LIKE TODAY!

3.      Some came seeking . . . and FOUND! They didn’t want to just see a prophet (man), they didn’t want to just hear a message, they wanted total immersion in the water—a baptism of change. JUST LIKE TODAY!

So, what did we come out to see TODAY? Is church just a weekly routine? Going through the motions? Maybe we’re here out of duty OR guilt if we don’t come? Or is it because of our upbringing?

Church is our refrigerator! Our weekly night out! Our holiday feast! Why? Because here is where the Word of God is served! We should come with expectation to receive the Word and the ministering of the Holy Spirit . . . Why? . . . to be refueled for the coming week.

So who refuels our tank? Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

So, what do we go out to see? Why do we go out at all?

To be equipped: prepare, train, cultivate, perfect, qualify for service.

For the work of ministry: serve the Christian community.

To edify the Body: spiritual profit or advancement, internal strengthening.

How can we do this if we don’t come out to see? Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling (1997) of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

(Episynagōgē 1997): to gather together does not merely denote the worshipping assembly of the church from which some were likely to absent themselves, but the assembling for corporate worship, not as a solitary or occasional act, but as customary conduct.  Refers to Christ Himself as the One to which this assembly was attached and, therefore, it would have the meaning of not betraying one’s attachment to Jesus Christ and other believers, not avoiding one’s own personal responsibility as part of the Body of Christ.)

I heard recently that we don’t come to church because we’re so spiritual and righteous and have attained our full potential BUT because we haven’t! If we were so spiritual and righteous, we wouldn’t need church.

Ask not what the church can do for you but what you can do for the church!