Scripture Reading: John 6:48-59

Fast Food Faith

Intro.

1. Fast food is convenient, but most is not very healthy (high in calories, high in fat, low in nutritional value). But, it tastes great!

2. Fast food slogans from which we can take warnings against abandoning the faith that was “once for all delivered” for forms of faith that will never satisfy the soul.

I. “HAVE IT YOUR WAY.” (Burger King)

A. Man-Defined Salvation and Faith, Gal. 1:6-10.

B. Man-Defined Worship, Mal. 1:6-14; Jno. 4:23-24.

C. Man-Defined Churches, Matt. 16:18; Col. 2:20-23 (Jer. 10:23; 1 Kgs. 12:25-33).

1. The church is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical playground, Jno. 18:36; Rom. 14:17; cf. Jno. 2:13-17.

a. Community centers, educational centers, childcare centers, political activism, medical missions…, 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42-46.

b. Inclusive havens for immorality (“Let Love Be Our Legacy”).

c. Social gospel, coffee and donuts, etc.

2. The church belongs to Jesus, not to us, Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28.

-His will be done, not ours, Matt. 6:10.

II. “WHERE’S THE BEEF?” (Wendy’s) [big bun, small patty – fresh, not frozen]

A. The Problem of Religious Deception, Matt. 16:6, 12.

1. Influence of the world’s religious views, Gal. 4:8-10.

2. Branding churches v. branded for Jesus’ sake, Gal. 6:14-17.

B. The Problem of Hypocrisy, Matt. 15:7-9; 23:2-3.

-Trying to serve two masters: Jesus and world, Matt. 6:24; Jas. 4:1-4.

III. “YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY.” (McDonald’s)

A. Felt-Needs v. God-Defined Needs, Prov. 14:12; Jno. 6:60-68.

1. Gospel of convenience and experience, 1 Kgs. 12:28.

2. Invasion of the casual culture – “It’s just worship” (“I must be regarded as holy, Lev. 10:3; “My name is to be feared among the nations,” Mal. 1:14).

B. We Can Never Take a Break from Christ’s Revealed Authority and from Pleasing God, Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7-10.

IV. “I’M LOVING IT.” (McDonald’s) Acts 26:9

A. Redefining Love: “If it Feels Good, Do It.” Heb. 11:25

1. This is a selfish view of love, 1 Jno. 5:3.

2. Conscience does not establish truth, revelation does, Acts 23:1.

B. Redefining Purpose: “If It Works, Do It.”

1. The end (does not) justifies the means, Rom. 3:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

2. Fear God and keep His commandments, Eccl. 12:13.

Conclusion

1. Following Jesus is not convenient, Lk. 9:23.

2. Following Jesus takes endurance to the end, Heb. 12:1-2.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: September 14, 2018