Escaping the Traps of Casual Christianity (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Introduction

As Christians, our inner spirit desires to know more of God. We strive for a greater purpose in life, wanting to do greater things. This magnetic pull is our longing to be with the Creator.

But our longing tends to shift towards the wrong direction sometimes. What about you? I want you to reflect on the following questions:

"Do you treat God casually without much thought or reverence?

Is your relationship with Him shallow rather than deeply awe-inspiring?

Do you obey only when convenient?"

These are the traps of Casual Christianity, of what we will be focusing on today.

To escape from casual Christianity and embrace wholehearted obedience, we will look into Deuteronomy 10:12-22.

If you would, please open your Bibles to Deuteronomy 10:12–22 and following with me. I want you to focus, listen to these words as if God’s voice is telling you the following:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 10

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? 13 Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good. 14 The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the LORD your God, as does the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the LORD had his heart set on your ancestors and loved them. He chose their descendants after them—he chose you out of all the peoples, as it is today. 16 Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don’t be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 You are also to love the resident alien, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt. 20 You are to fear the LORD your God and worship him. Remain faithful to him and take oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awe-inspiring works your eyes have seen. 22 Your ancestors went down to Egypt, seventy people in all, and now the LORD your God has made you numerous, like the stars of the sky.

Amen.

Let us Pray.

Point 1: The Trap of Casual Christianity

Raise your hand if you want to grow your relationship with God?

Then, first be aware of Casual Christianity.

The word Casual means without definite or serious intention.

Casual Christianity is defined as treating God without reverence, having a shallow relationship, and obeying only when convenient.

It’s essentially half-hearted obedience, which is in essence disobedience.

It is dangerous because it leads to spiritual complacency, stunts spiritual growth, and distances us from God.

Imagine if you and a friend or you and your partner starting working on a project together. How would you feel if you did 80 percent of the work and your partner only contribute 20 percent. Then that initial agreement becomes void.

You see God is longing for you. He is seeking out to you. He is calling out to you Today.

We have to answer Him. We have to respond to Him today when we have the time to do so.

Consistency can lead to complacency.

We don’t want to be complacent in our faith.

The deep longing we have to do well. To be successful. To be productive. It comes from a longing inside of us to be united with our Creator, because we were created in His image.

ACTION: We must begin by Revering the Lord. Everyone say Respect.

Reverence or Revering is the highest form of respect, the utmost respect we give to the Lord our God.

Let’s look at what we must do so that we can grow into a deeper relationship with Him.

Do you feel like you read the Bible, pray, go to church, serve in the church but the relationship does not go deeper?

We need a deeper relationship with God to grow our faiths. If the previous question seems like you, then let’s pay attention to the next.

Point 2: Fear the Lord your God

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 ““And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.”

Let’s Break down each requirement and connect it to God’s character:

Fear the Lord: Recognize His supreme authority and holiness, as He is "God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome" (verse 17).

Walk in all His ways: Align your life with His will, including learning and acting to love others, reflecting His justice and care (verses 18-19).

Love Him: We love Him by living by His commands.

Serve with all heart and soul: Total dedication and sacrifice, because He is worthy to be glorified through our lives and has redeemed us, the free grace of eternal life.

Keep the commandments: Obedience is for our good, as stated in verse 13, benefiting us providing a healthy spiritual life.

I want to go back to the first point. Fear the Lord.

You see the title of today’s sermon made be focus on Casual Christianity, but the real Title is Fearing the Lord.

Everyone say FEAR.

What does fear mean? if he is our father, then why should we fear the Lord?

Fear in this context does not mean being scared.

John Bevere defines The Fear of the Lord as being terrified to be away from Him (God). We are terrified. You know the feeling when you know you did something really bad and might get in trouble? Beyond that we must be terrified to be away from Him.

When we revere Him, it will ignite us to prevent the drift that might begin. At this point, we have to circumcise our hearts.

Point 3: The One Who Fears the Lord

Those who Fear the Lord, taking the following practical actions:

Obey when things do not make sense (v.14). Everything on this earth and heavens belong to God. When we acknowledge that ownership, we understand that obeying God’s word and commands is the best course of action we can take in our lives. Do not hesitate but begin to obey.

Everyone say OBEY

Obey wholeheartedly (v.15-16). God has chosen you to be His people. He cares for you and me. He sacrificed His son to be the atonement of our sins. Trust that He will guide you to the land filled with milk and honey. If you have been complacent in your daily spiritual disciplines (Scripture, Prayer = Worship), then repent and start immediately.

Obey His commands of love (v.19). Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is no greater love than these to love your friend. God calls us His friend. Love each other. What more is there to say.

What happens when we circumcise our hearts and live by God’s commands?

Point 4: The Blessings of Wholehearted Obedience

We experience the blessings that God offers of a wholehearted obedience.

Deuteronomy 10:20–22 “You are to fear the Lord your God and worship him. Remain faithful to him and take oaths in his name. He is your praise and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awe-inspiring works your eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down to Egypt, seventy people in all, and now the Lord your God has made you numerous, like the stars of the sky.”

From verse 22, God’s faithfulness in multiplying the people from seventy to numerous as stars, showing obedience leads to blessings and growth.

Everyone say BLESSING.

Trust in God’s goodness, promising spiritual and communal flourishing.

All of our united prayers are focused on two things right now for the church: a new location and new members. How will the prayers come to fruition?

By us faithfully following God’s commands wholeheartedly with Reverence and Fear, we will see God fulfill these prayers right before us.

Those Israelites who faithfully followed God’s commands saw the promise land while the first generation did not make it.

ACTION: Revere and Fear.

Conclusion

To recap,

We must Revere God

We must Fear God

The one who fears the Lord, does the following:

Obey when things do not make sense

Obey wholeheartedly

Love

Casual Christianity is seriously dangerous, but God calls us to revere Him, love, serve, and obey Him fully, with practical steps to deepen faith and reap blessings.

We can fall into the trap of Casual Christianity without realizing. Listen carefully today to what God commands us to do.

Fear the Lord your God.

Are you ready TODAY to walk away from your Casual Christianity and are you ready to fully commit to God?

Call to Action: Profess with your lips: I revere you Lord my God. I will walk you every step the days of my life. And begin now. Amen.

As I offer the closing prayer for this message, I want you to take this time to self reflect on what you must adjust in your life immediately to full commit to the Lord.

Let us pray.