The following is a sermon from East End Fellowship

 

Are you putting an “if/then” statement on God?

We are wrapping up the “Do the Bible” sermon series, where we have explored how to live out our call to “be the Church” using passages like Acts 2:42-47. We engaged teaching from Pastor Nathan, Derrick, and Emily on Fellowship; Abigail and Oldson shared about Worship and Sherika explored Testimonies; and Pastor Nathan preached on Sharing resources and Sabbath rest. We practiced breaking bread and praying together, and many of us did so beyond Large Gathering in homes around the neighborhood. We are trying to “do the Bible”… but why are we doing this? What do we expect to happen?

Last week at our mid-size gathering I was struck by how we can understand an “assignment from God.” Typically, our understanding of an assignment is centered around structure and outcomes; for example, a school assignment has clear instructions, a set timeline, and defined expectations for the end product. We like this, because we know what to do, and feel like we have significant control over the results. When God gives us an assignment, we tend to understand it through this framework.

Meanwhile, Scripture is filled with assignments from God that seemed profoundly unstructured and whose outcomes appeared unclear or even foolish. Hebrews 11:39 is blunt: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”

What if these “assignments from God” we have been exploring – to “Do the Bible” and “Be the Church” – lack the structure and outcomes we so desire? What if we are forcing structure and outcomes to maintain comfort and control? What if we are rejecting God’s structure and outcomes because it appears unclear, foolish, or too costly? And what if we do everything right and yet seem to not receive what was promised?

Let’s take a moment to seek the Spirit on these questions. Holy Spirit, move in our minds, individually and collectively, around this topic.

…

Amen.

Nearly 16 years ago I entered an animal clinic ready to see if the young cat I found after hefty online searching would work as a surprise gift to Becca, who longed to add a cat to our family. Waiting for me on a vet table with wide eyes was a thin orange tabby. I had barely approached the table when she reached up with her front paws toward my shoulder, and that was it: I was bringing her home. The timing was tricky, as I had to get to work and Becca would get off hours before me, so I put the young cat in our guest room and texted an excuse for Becca not to enter.

I was surprised to get a frantic call from her that afternoon. “Paul, I’m hearing a strange sound, I think it’s outside. It sounds like a weird baby. My mom sent me an email about people who play a baby sound outside your door, and then kidnap you when you open it. I don’t know what to do!”

I tried to reassure her, and when it was clear that was not happening, I tossed out my plans, told her to go to the guest room, and listened to the giddy squeals as our life with Chloe officially started. Chloe was a core part of our family for the next nearly 16 years; she would nap with Becca, talk with Bella, play with the boys, and ride on my shoulder every chance she got.

Then, on November 14th, a door was left open, she got curious, and that was it.

I was flooded with instructions on what a good pet owner should do, the chief of which being to walk the neighborhood extensively. That first week I walked the blocks and alleys 3-5 times a day, 1-2 miles a walk, shifting the timing and routes based on prayers, leads, and instinct. I walked over 30 miles that week, and every one of those walks had one thing in common: I never found Chloe.

Here’s the reality that weighed on me each time I set out: we had no idea if she was near or far, outdoors or taken in, safe or scared, alive or dead. Many people told us that she was so old that she likely went off to die in solitude, many others told us she was likely alive and could run solo for weeks, even months before returning, and that she was probably in survival mode and became invisible. For those that have heard of Schrödinger’s Cat, that thought experiment is more real to me than ever before; I exist in a reality in which Chloe is simultaneously alive and dead, and I have no solid ground on which to stand. There has been no clarity on where to walk, or if walking will ever lead us to even a sighting.

I’ve had to wrestle with this question: if I never found Chloe after 30 miles of walking, if she may be invisible, not even in the neighborhood, or no longer alive, what is the point in walking?

Those who have had a beloved pet immediately know that if that pet is lost, you are going to search no matter how unclear the path or impossible the odds. The most fruitless search is not wasted, because what brings those searches value is not that the pet is found, but that you were faithful to walk.

Or to get more to the point, I walk not because it guarantees an outcome – it doesn’t – but because of love: love for our sweet cat, and love for my family who miss her dearly. Love drives my steps, leading me to walk farther and more often than I would otherwise, in places I normally don’t step, even when I am physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fatigued. Love equips and guides me for the assignment to search for Chloe.

Do I hope to find her each time I set out? Absolutely. Am I heartbroken each time I come home with an empty shoulder? Deeply. Do I set out again, even though every walk before seemed unclear and fruitless? Yup. I know the logic, I know the odds, I know the mixed messages, and I also know I can still put on a coat and walk the alleys, because love for Chloe and my family invites me to step forward.

Sometimes as I walked I thought of this Spiritual family, how we for nearly 20 years have wanted to “do the Bible” and “be the Church”, how we’ve tried to understand the structure and outcomes of God’s assignments, and how – despite decades of trying to live out Acts 2 – things have often been unclear and unfruitful, confusing and painful.

Do we hope for full life for our community? Absolutely. Are we heartbroken when there’s still suffering? Deeply. Do we set out again, even though ministry can at times seem unclear and fruitless? Yup. We know human logic, we know the odds of miracles, we hear the mixed messages, and we also know we can choose to keep walking, because love for God and others invites us to step forward.

Yet just like Chloe never appearing can make searching feel futile, there may be some of us who wonder if “doing the Bible” really makes a difference when the results frequently fail to meet our expectations.

In school you learn about “If/then” statements. It’s a basic formula that says “if this happens, then that will happen.” For example, “if I talk into a microphone, then my voice will be louder,” or “if someone says something theologically profound, then Don will yell ‘come on!’ and pump his fist.” Deep down we love the comfort and control of this formula. How might we be applying it to this sermon series?

Let’s look again at Acts 2:42-47:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

How do we apply the “If/then” formula to this invitation to “be the Church”? Many churches I’ve known have jumped to verse 47 as an obvious answer:

“If we do these things, then the Lord will add to our number daily.”

This has always been a big one for churches. Empty seats are bad, and multiple services and buildings are good, right?

That verse also seems to imply, “If we do these things, then we will enjoy the favor of all the people.” In a time of deep disunity, this sounds fantastic.

There’s so much we can imply from this passage: “If we do these things, then all needs will be met, everyone will be filled with joy, and we will make a true impact on the world.”

If, then.

God absolutely can do these things; however this passage is about that early Acts Church, not a prescriptive promise. If we enter 2026 doing the Bible and being the Church, we might find this building filled, every need met, and a spiritual family exuding joy. But what if that doesn’t happen? What if people leave, what if our needs increase, and what if it’s a season of lament? Does that mean God lied? Does it mean we failed?

If our willingness to “Do the Bible” and “Be the Church” is based on the results – if our drive is fueled by forward movement and success determined by clear metrics – we like so many before us will hit a wall.

Here’s our dilemma: we exist in physical bodies in a physical world, impacted daily by cause and effect, and motivated by robust self-preservation. We avoid what seems bad and pursue what seems good.

God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts; reality as God created it is immeasurably more than we understand. This is why Jesus was able to take on a physical body and come into our physical world, not for the structure and outcomes that bind us, but something greater; he knew all of these things that we protect and build will fade, as he says in Matthew 24:35:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”

Scripture goes on:

“For this world in its present form is passing away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

Isaiah 40:6-8 doesn’t mince words:

“All people are like grass,
and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”

Counter to what our logic says, doing the Bible and being the Church are not about fixing this world. This world will fade; our faithfulness is like falling flowers. If this was only about needs being met and people being happy, Jesus would have healed every single person with a snap of his finger and not let himself be led to a fate that caused deep sorrow. When Jesus took the form of a helpless baby, he was doing so for something far greater than fixing this fading world:

“[Jesus], being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:6-11

“To the glory of God the Father.” If we want to know why we are invited to “Do the Bible” and “Be the Church”, it is not for larger numbers, great ministries, and better quality of life: it is for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 names it plainly:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Whatever we do, whether teaching or fellowship, breaking of bread or prayer, signs or sharing resources, worship or praise… whatever we do, it is meant to be all for the glory of God. That is our if/then:

If we do the Bible, then God will be glorified.

All else is bonus. If every person in the east end becomes a disciple of Jesus and lives in the joy and justice of God’s Kingdom, fantastic! If not one of us has an unmet need, amazing! But if we “Do the Bible” and “Be the Church”, and come to ruin… yet God is glorified… praise be to God.

Many thought Jesus’ earthly ministry came to ruin as they watched him be humiliated, tortured, and killed. Many thought the same of the apostles as they were martyred. In fact, even this thriving Church we’ve explored in Acts 2 seemed to come to ruin, torn apart and driven throughout the known world due to brutal persecution.

Despite the evidence, those stories did not end in ruin, but God’s glory and full life.

Our challenge is to get to the place where we hold to nothing but Him… giving up even the good things we hope He will do. As Jesus put it:

“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” Luke 14:28

He said this to a group of people who looked like they had given up everything – homes, land, families, livelihoods – and followed him on a path that seemed wildly unstructured with unclear outcomes. Why would Jesus say this to followers who were living it?

What he knew that they did not is what he said to his closest friends, who could not even stay awake as he experienced his deepest lament in Gethsemane the night of his arrest:

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

This was not about them being sleepy. In their desire to serve God and follow Jesus, they had their own if/thens: “If we serve God, then we will be safe and prosper.” “If we follow Jesus, then we will see Israel restored.” “If we stay close to Jesus, then we will sit in power with him.” They walked with Jesus for years, doing everything he told them to; then, in the Garden, those men saw their expectations crumbling as threats increased, Jesus resigned himself to death, and the dream of Israel became more lost than ever. Their fatigue was more than physical – it was emotional and spiritual – and were it not for the Spirit at work within them, they – like so many before them – would have stopped walking.

Our spirits may be fully willing, but our flesh will always be weak. If we approach this “Do the Bible” series as mere humans, we might become a nice group of people that does nice things, insofar as we have the resources and energy, and aren’t drawn away by other opportunities. We can do biblical things or we can “do the Bible”. We can be a good church organization or we can “be the Church”. We can’t do those on our own, and that is good news; as a past sermon series taught us, we were not meant to be on our own, but to invite the Spirit to move.

The Acts church lived these practices out not because they were spectacular, but because Jesus instructed them to seek the Spirit, and it was through the Spirit that the spectacular happened. That Spirit, Helper, and Advocate is with us today.

So why are we trying to “Do the Bible”? What are we expecting to happen if we as a church faithfully walk toward God? If we embody these spiritual practices perfectly, would we feel God owed us results? If so, our why may be more about ourselves than Him. If God is who we say He is – an almighty, perfect, powerful Creator – then He owes us nothing. Jesus captures this dynamic in Luke 17:10:

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

In this passage, the apostles ask to increase their faith, and Jesus frames a promise of the power of mustard seed faith with a right understanding of what it means to serve God. As those committed to serving God, we should confront our tendency to expect special treatment from Him, as realistically we are but sinners struggling to live out even the simplest of God’s instructions. Having the privilege to “Do the Bible” is itself more reward than we deserve.

God could leave it at that; our loving God does not. Instead Jesus says this in John 15:15-17:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

Church, we didn’t choose to be the Church; Jesus chose us. There are many things the Bible invites us to do, but in appointing us this is Jesus’ command: Love each other.

Not love as we understand it, but biblical, sacrificial, agape love.

Why are we doing the Bible? To love God and love others. What can we expect as a result? Love to flow in, through, and around us.

That Love can drive our steps, leading us to walk farther and longer than we would otherwise, in places we normally don’t step, even when we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fatigued. Love equips and guides us for the assignment to be His image bearers and ambassadors in a world longing for its Creator, yet unaware.

Let us not do biblical things, but “do the Bible”. Let us not be a good church organization, but “be the Church”. Let us own that we cannot do either, but God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine because of the power at work within us.

And when we have implemented all these spiritual practices, and brokenness remains; if we give sacrificially of ourselves and seem to come to ruin; if we hold to hope yet not one of the promises seems fulfilled… let us rejoice that God is glorified, and that the brokenness, heartache, and pain will all fade away. As Revelation 21 promises about what’s to come:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Church, we have the privilege of being invited to “Do the Bible” for something greater than ourselves, greater than being an effective church, greater than this fading world. Jesus came into this world as a child to reveal this invitation, lived in a physical body to show us how to walk, and endured human brokenness to make it clear we need the Spirit to do any of it; the path ahead could seem unclear and unfruitful, yet today we can choose to walk with him, together.