Silent Sermons of the Church
I doubt very seriously if you have ever heard a sermon quite like this one.
But as you know I have a tendency to preach one of those types occasionally.
Have you ever thought about the silent sermons the church building itself preaches?
“Sermons in stones” was a phrase that Shakespeare used.
But if you will just look around you this morning there are objects in and around this church that preach pretty impressive sermons.
1. First of all, let’s consider the steeple. I think we have a quite impressive steeple here at Glad Tidings.
But there is more to that steeple than just the physical appearance.
If you will notice the steeple is pointing upward. It points to God.
On top of the steeple is a cross. The steeple is pointing upward not only to God, but it is also pointing to the cross.
John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
It also tells us you cannot get to God unless you go through the means of the cross on which Jesus died.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So when you pass a church with a steeple pointing to a cross, take the time to thank God for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, “who gave His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
2. Secondly, there are the entry doors of the church.
The doors of the church represent the invitation of Jesus who said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Also, the door represents Christ who said, “I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”
It also reminds us that the door is open to everyone. It doesn’t matter what race, nationality, or status in life, these doors are open to all.
These doors represent Jesus Christ as the only way to God. These doors are the only way for reconciliation unto God, and the only way to be redeemed from the curse of sin.
There are many doors pointing to God, but Jesus Christ is the only door that will open unto Him.
3. Thirdly, I think of the vestibule, or foyer, of the church.
We use the foyer for a lot of things, fellowship, talking about everything from golf to glory, but the vestibule should be thought of as a place of preparation.
It is sort of a space separating the secular from the sacred.
It is a space where we leave the world outside and prepare to enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise.
Ps 100:4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
It’s hard to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and praise if you bring your worries and troubles with you.
So, think of the foyer as a place of preparation to enter into God’s presence.
4. Fourthly, I think of the sanctuary. A large room where we gather together as a church to turn our minds toward the Lord.
It is not a place to compare ourselves with someone else.
It is not a place where we judge our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
It is not a place to find fault with everything that is going on.
It is not a place where we complain and criticize.
But as we enter the sanctuary we should feel as Habakkuk 2:20 says, “The Lord is in His Holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
Even Moses recognized he was standing on Holy ground at the place he met God’s presence at the burning bush.
Listen saints, we should recognize this room as a place of sacredness and holiness.
This room is where the Holy Spirit comforts, edifies, and strengthens the saints.
This room is where the Holy Spirit ministers to people through song and the preaching of the Word of God.
This room is where sinners feel the conviction of the Holy Ghost.
This room is a place of worship and praise and we should always enter with an attitude of worship and praise.
5. Fifthly, I think of the ceiling in this church. An arched ceiling that looks as though it was splitting the sky to let God and heavenly things come down.
To let the presence of God come down in the sanctuary of His people.
6. Sixthly, I think of the aisles in this church. The aisles represent the opportunity for all to walk freely into the presence of God.
The unique thing about these aisles is that both the saint and the sinner have the right to walk in them.
These aisles give you an opportunity to come to God.
These aisles give you an opportunity to come to the front where these altars are.
These aisles give you an opportunity to come and receive something from God.
To come for prayer, to come for meditation, to come for dedication, to come for healing, to come for forgiveness, and a host of other things.
These aisles become a pathway to receive what you need from God.
Seventhly, I think of the pews.
These pews remind us of our promise, when we joined the church, to attend services and be faithful.
Someone once said, “Empty pews are the church’s shame.”
It’s difficult to impress someone looking for a church home when all they see is empty pews.
It gives the message that either there are a lot of unfaithful members or the church isn’t accomplishing its mission.
Lord, help us to fill these empty pews.
Then another thought, the pews here at Glad Tidings are long, unbroken seats upon which our people sit together as a symbol of the unity and fellowship we have.
We are a family that sits together, prays together, sings together, laughs together, and cries together.
These pews signify the unity of the saints worshipping together as the family of God.
Eighthly, I think of another silent sermon, one of the most important silent sermons in the church.
These Altars are silent sermons.
These altars represent our prayers and adoration.
These altars stand for repentance and forgiveness.
It is a physical symbol of our own dedication to God.
These altars are a place to bring all our burdens.
These altars are a place to dedicate ourselves to God.
These altars are a place to worship God.
They are a place to humble ourselves in the sight of God.
These altars are a place to find healing for both body and soul.
These altars are here so the broken hearted can find healing, the fearful to find peace, and the hurting to find comfort.
Yes, these altars speak a loud and clear message.
Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Isaiah 55:1 ¶ “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
9. Ninthly, There are the offering plates! You knew I would get around to that!
But the offering plates remind us to share in the building of God’s kingdom.
The offering plates are the physical symbols of our inward dedication.
A person who is not dedicated much, usually does not give much.
Much to a rich man is more than much for a poor man.
The poor widow in the bible did not have much to give, but she gave more than the rich man because she gave from the bottom of her heart.
The offering plates remind us that the tithe is the Lord’s. It doesn’t belong to us.
10. Tenthly, and lastly, there is the pulpit.
From the pulpit comes the Word of God.
From the pulpit are radiated messages of hope for the despondent, courage for the weak, comfort for the sorrowing, light for those who walk in darkness, humility to the proud, and inspiration for all.
From the pulpit the minister stands to bring unto you the Word of God.
On the pulpit lays the Bible, our guidebook, our instructions, our roadmap, our hope, our comfort, and our sword.
The pulpit usually stands in the center of the stage, reminding us that the Word of God always take preeminence in the church.
We can praise the Lord, we can shout, we can worship, but when it comes time for the Word of God to be brought, everything else must take second place.
I’ve seen people, who enjoy the music, enjoy the singing and worship time, but when it comes time to hear the Word of God, they lose interest and act bored.
There is something wrong with that person’s relationship with God!
They want to feel the goose bumps, but they don’t want to hear what God has to say through His Word.
So these are the silent sermons of the church, each one important in its own way of ministering.
Let’s not forget what each one stand for.
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