A Dirty Job, But the People of God MUST Do It
This show was disgusting to watch but necessary.
You ever watch Mike Rowe’s show, Dirty Jobs? It aired on the Discovery Channel and featured folks doing the kinds of work that most people wouldn’t dare touch—jobs that are tough, unpleasant, but absolutely necessary to keep everything running smoothly. From septic tank cleaners to bridge painters, these folks were doing the work that nobody wants to do, but everyone relies on.
As I read through the text for this week’s sermon, I couldn’t help but think about the parallels in the life of the Church. There are some jobs in the Body of Christ that aren’t for the faint of heart. It’s not for the squeamish, not for those who live in fear, or those who would rather settle for a false sense of peace than deal with the integrity of God’s Church. Too often, we see folks turning a blind eye to things they know shouldn’t be happening, but it's easier to just let it slide.
In our churches, we ignore:
Political ties that lead to profane language and lifestyles just to keep the peace
Homosexual choir directors because we don't want to "rock the boat"
Adulterous church leaders and wealthy members whose pockets keep the lights on and staff paid
Slanderous gossips causing division in the congregation
People who would rather uplift and hold to Stone, Campbell, and Walter Scott instead of the inspiration of the Father, Spirit, and Son
And then the most dangerous part—people in the church will just throw out the phrase, “That’s just __________.” It’s like a TV catchphrase that we use to dismiss what’s happening in the house of God. But what if I told you that God isn’t pleased with our willful ignorance? What if I told you that God is tired of the skeletons we keep hidden in our church baptismal closets?
Here’s the truth. The responsibility doesn’t fall on just the leadership to deal with this. It’s not just the preacher’s job to keep the integrity of the church. I believe this is why so many today hate “organized religion” because of the accountability. Every single member of the congregation has a part to play in this. It’s about all of us taking responsibility for our own actions, and for holding each other accountable. That means we’ve got to be ready to challenge our own lifestyles, but also be willing to challenge the lifestyles of others, especially when it threatens the health of the church.
It’s a dirty job, but the people of God must do it.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is crystal clear: It’s the responsibility of the church to maintain its integrity. The devil would have us believe that as long as we can hide our skeletons from the outside world, we’re good. But that’s a lie. The church cannot thrive in indifference to internal sin. God has called us to more than that. The church must be self-aware, constantly looking at itself, and doing what’s necessary to address sin quickly. Repentance and reconciliation must be our priority! It’s on us—every one of us—to keep the Church pure, to deal with the hard stuff, and to make sure that we are living lives worthy of the call.
Let’s be real about it. We can’t keep living in willful ignorance. The health of the church depends on the integrity of the people in the church. That means we’ve got to be ready to do the dirty work, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. God’s mission is too important, and the salvation of souls is too valuable, for us to settle for a peace that is anything less than the peace of God.