Waffle House

Introduction

Matthew 5:36–37 NKJV

36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Pray

Background

The definition of waffle in the English language is to: “fail to make up one's mind.” A second definition is to “speak or write, especially at great length, without saying anything important or useful.”

Tell what the Lord told you. The modern church has become a waffle house.

In fact, I would even posit that this is not a new issue. This is an ongoing issue since the days when the Hebrew children were brought out of captivity. We looked at it in a few of our sermons, and we are going to look at it today.

That said, this week I have three great points to our sermon: Scattered, Smothered, and Covered.

I am teaching this sermon from two different perspectives: Internal and External. We can be scattered physically and mentally. Let’s look at the first point:

Point 1: Scattered

The definition of scattered is : distracted or disorganized; to scatter is to throw or send in various random directions.

In the Ancient Near East, kings would scatter a conquered nation as a method of warfare. It would ensure psychological trauma as well as destroy bloodlines and the potential of the nation rising up against him.

Jeremiah 29:10–15 NKJV

10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. 15 Because you have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon”—

The Hebrew children were a stiff-necked people. Time and time again they proved this until the point where the Lord saw it best to send them into captivity for their own good. This was exile. They had became inconsistent.

When we become inconsistent internally, such as wrestling with indecision, and not walking it out or “waffling,” we see:

Inconsistency in Worship: Some of us attend church regularly, while others only sporadically. We waffle in our commitment to worship God.

Fluctuating Faith: Our faith can be strong one day and weak the next. We need to find stability and consistency in our walk with Christ.

Selective Obedience: Just as we pick and choose items from a menu, we sometimes choose which parts of God's Word to obey. We waffle in our commitment to living out His commands.

Partial obedience is full disobedience.

Transition: Being Scattered in our spiritual lives can hinder our growth and deepen our confusion. The internal and external scattering can progress to the point where we become smothered.

Point 2: Smothered

Colossians 3:1 NKJV

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Let’s consider being "smothered." At a Waffle House, you can order your meal "smothered" with toppings like cheese, onions, or gravy. These toppings can enhance the flavor, but when overdone, they can smother the taste of the waffle itself. Similarly, we can become "smothered" in our spiritual lives.

In fact, we can feel consumed not just from the enemy but from our selves—victims of the “activity” we mistake for ministry. Examples include:

Distractions: The distractions of life can smother our devotion to God. We get so caught up in worldly pursuits that we neglect our spiritual well-being.

Busyness: We often over commit ourselves, leaving little time for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. This busyness can smother our relationship with God.

Pastor Jerry Milliken, one of my mentors always said to us, “Never make ministry your mistress.”

Worldly Influences: Just as toppings can smother the taste of a waffle, worldly influences can smother our spiritual discernment and convictions.

Transition: Being smothered in worldly concerns can hinder our spiritual growth and lead us away from God's purpose for our lives. But remember, there's a way out. You see, many times in life we find ourselves scattered and smothered but we forget we are covered.

Point 3: Covered

1 John 4:4 NKJV

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

God's Covering: When we allow God's love and grace to cover us, we find forgiveness for our sins, peace in times of trouble, and strength to face challenges.

Illustration: I was lost in my thoughts, scattered and smothered, I was taken by addiction, but once I dialed in to God’s covering and took that verse to heart, my life changed. John reminded us, “WE ARE OF GOD.” SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

Unity in Christ: Just as a waffle is covered in syrup, we find unity and purpose when we are covered by Christ's love. Our differences fade, and we become one body in Him.

Boldness in Faith: By understanding that we are covered, we can begin to walk differently, think differently, and act differently.

What’s the conclusion?

Conclusion

You may have been scattered, smothered, and forgot you were covered.. but this is your

Altar Call