“But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children" (Matt. 11:16-19). Today, we begin a study of "Playing Church." There are many (when used in the New Testament, "many" means "most." These words were addressed to the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religionists and churchgoers of Christ's day. He said to them, "Whereunto shall I liken this generation" of religious leaders? Then Christ answers His own question, "You religious leaders are like children sitting in the markets, calling unto their fellows, and playing church. You are just playing at the game. You are like a bunch of children who would sit down and play dolls or a game of marbles, or to imitate a dance. You are inventing everything in the world to try to attract the attention of your fellows. Here came John the Baptist fasting and preaching repentance, and you say he has a devil, or he's devil possessed: 'We'll not have him; we do not want his message. Who does he think we are - children.' " Christ said, "That's exactly what you are; just a bunch of children playing church." We need to take the matter of church seriously. It is not a game. Let us examine ourselves over the next week. Ask yourself this question, "Am I playing church?"
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