DECEIT IN THE TEMPLE
Author : Brian Rensford; Copyright to Public Domain
Theme: how could people possibly be deceived by a wrong spirit when they are in church regularly and apparently walking with the Lord
[SCENE 1 : Set -- Side-on view of entrance to a modern church; 3 rows of seats (3 to a row set on an angle so audience can see all the actors) facing pulpit (RHS); Actors -- [L-R] Jolene, Robbie in back row, 3 - 4 other parishioners spread out (including Julie-Anne), already seated, minister. 4 mikes needed - 3 in back row + pulpit]
Minister Today's texts are found in the Second letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 2. Now Paul was writing to the Thessalonian church a second time, because of some misunderstandings they had about the timing of Jesus ' Second Coming. Some were so convinced He was about to appear at any moment, they had quit working, and were sponging off the Christian community. So Paul writes to tell them Jesus is coming soon, but not immediately.... [sound goes down, he continues to act out preaching from the bible]
Jolene [looking bored] Here we go again! He's away! Jesus is coming [sarcastically] real soon now! And we gotta be ready.... I wish we could have some really exciting teaching once in a while. I don't know about you, Robbie, but this stuff about cleaning up your life, and getting committed to Christ in your daily dealings is all a bit monotonous, don't you reckon?
Robbie I know what you mean, Jolene.... I sometimes feel they're trying to get at me when I've come to church lately. For a while I thought maybe God's trying to say something to me about my party going, but then I realised that God's so loving and understanding, there's no way He'd be trying to convict me about getting a little bit.... ah... spaced out from time to time. I mean - what's life if it's all work, work, work, and no fun. I know He understands my weaknesses....
Minister [turn mike up] Jesus warned his disciples, in Matthew chapter 24, that the time just before His Coming would be a time of great deception - so widespread, He said, that many who had followed His way, would fall away! Their love for God and His truth would grow cold.... [turn mike down - he keeps preaching]
Jolene [plainly not listening] Robbie, I feel the same as you do! My husband reckons I'm a bit of a fanatic, but ever since I started going to Yoga classes, I feel so much less stressed out! You know - I was so stressed I was getting bad migraines sometimes twice a week! But now I've got to the stage where I can really feel the release of energy in the movements. It's very beautiful, and so peaceful! I can just feel the Spirit calming me. Would you believe me if I told you that last month, after I'd testified about how relaxed Yoga classes have made me, and how few migraines I've had lately, Julie-Anne at our young adults' study group tried to convince me I was touching spiritual powers that are contrary to the Holy Spirit! I ask you! Have they tried it? Who does she think she is!? Gave her my cold stare down treatment, I did! How could something that does so much good for me possibly be evil?....
Robbie I know how you feel.... Some people think they have a God-given right to poke their nose in on other Christians' personal affairs. Well, I for one, won't have that! No way! Next week, I'm off to that exciting new meeting at the Town Hall. My friend, Vanessa - you know the one...., [Jolene looks blank] you know, the one who separated from her husband last July - they came to our church for years. Anyway, she's been going out with Michael, that really spiritual guy from that non-denominational prayer group that meets at the Busby's every week! Well, she says it's a really caring and understanding church. They've been very understanding about her personal situation; in fact - she says she's already been asked to help with counselling. Well, next week, that's where I'll be going! No more of this heavy stuff - I want excitement! What's more, there's a radical preacher visiting next Sunday!
[Minister's mike comes in again]
Minister So the last scriptures for today are 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 3 & 4, and verses 9 to 12. I've asked Julie-Anne to come and read them to us today. As they say in the Mitsubishi ads, please consider carefully what Paul is saying here. It's mind blowing! Julie -Anne, could you come now, please?
Julie-Anne [walks forward to behind pulpit mike with Bible open] My brothers, don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed - the man doomed to destruction..... He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders. They perish because they refused to love the truth, and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, so that they will believe the lie, so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth, but have delighted in wickedness.
Robbie [to Jolene] Well, that does it! I'm with you! See you next week at the Town Hall! Say, why don't we ask Julie-Anne to come too?
[Curtain closes, then additional people come on to fill all seats - including Vanessa and Michael]
[SCENE 2 : Same set up as Scene 1, all 9 seats taken, Jolene, Robbie, and Julie-Anne are seated in the back row, Vanessa and Michael in front row. Everyone is looking around very animated, waving to people. The minister is standing, about to preach - up-tempo music in background loud at first]
Robbie Wow! look at the crowd! I know some of those guys over there [points forward, waves. They wave back]. The guy in the middle was the life of the last party I went to! [smiles at Julie-Anne] Glad you could make it, Jules! The place is buzz, buzz, buzzing!
Jolene I can really feel the anointing here, can't you guys? Ooohh look! [points and waves], there's Vanessa I was telling you about! And she's with that guy, Michael, from the Busby's prayer group. Mmmmm, he looks reaaalllly good....
Julie-Anne The place sure is alive all right. I want to hear what this guy's got to say first.....
Preacher [beaming smile, natty clothes, arms open wide. Lots of animation] Folks, as we close tonight, let me say how honoured I am to be visiting this brand new exciting church this week. Pastor Floyd and I go back a long way together. We're so very glad you could come and enjoy the exciting music ministry we have here tonight! Let me tell you tonight is going to be the greatest night of your entire life! There are people all over this auditorium tonight who are going to be touched by the power of God when I lay my hands on them. They are going to actually feel the energy of God's Spirit running down their spine when I touch them. And people who have physical conditions in their body are going to experience the warm flow of healing love, as God's Spirit heals them. An angel appeared to me before the meeting tonight and told me there would be a woman here named [pauses for effect] Jolene! [Jolene gasps, waves her hand high; Robbie looks amazed, nudges her], and that she has had trouble with migraine headaches. I see that she has already received a lot of relief through God's healing energy power, and that tonight! [he pauses for effect], she will be completely healed as I lay my hands on her, and a final transfer of healing energy takes place! Everybody Praise the Lord!! Jolene, come on down! [Jolene goes forward, he lays hands on her dramatically] Receive your healing now!! [Catchers move behind her; she falls back unconscious, then slowly raises herself on her elbow]. What did you feel, Sister Jolene? You felt it, didn't you?
Jolene I sure did. It went right up my spine! And the headache I came here with tonight is completely gone! Praise God!
[place goes bananas! People yell, whistle]
Preacher And the Lord has shown me you're a chosen vessel, sister. He has chosen you to spread keys to stress-free living among your brothers and sisters! I believe you already know what that means?! [Jolene nods vigorously, and returns to her seat]
Robbie [to Jolene] That was awesome! He even knew your name, and he obviously knows you're already doing yoga! [turning to Julie-Anne] Just shows you, doesn't it...
Julie-Anne Well, he sure didn't guess all that info, that's for sure. But.... I don't know - somehow I've still got questions....
Preacher There's someone else here tonight, I'm being shown her name is .... [pauses for effect] V a n e s s a... and I believe she is coming out of a time of deep personal crisis. God wants her to know that the companion she's with tonight is the one He has chosen for her as she steps out into a whole new realm of ministry [Vanessa looks at Michael]. The painful changes have been of God, to prepare her for a greater release of healing and caring ministry to many, many hurting people that are already flooding into this church - people who have been rejected by others who claim to be representatives of a caring Saviour, but who have shut the door on the hurting, and used the Bible as a rod of judgment upon broken lives. [applause breaks out] God bless you all as you go. Remember - God loves you, we love you, and remember this church's motto - "there is no condemnation!"
[All the congregation stand and mingle excitedly]
Jolene [to Julie-Anne] You may not believe this, but I'm sure he's never met my friend, Vanessa. He's never been in our area before! That has to be a prophecy from the Lord! I guess she better hurry up and get her divorce through so she can marry this guy, Michael, and get on with her new life and ministry.
Julie-Anne Jolene, Robbie - there's a powerful atmosphere here for sure. [pauses] But, I'm going to go home and read again what was taught at our own church last Sunday; you know that bit about last days and the guy sitting in God's temple. That guy tonight was really soaking up the glory for himself a bit too much for my peace of mind. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel!
Jolene Peace of Mind! Now what you need is a good course in yoga instruction.... [laughs] let me tell you about it... [they all exit off stage, curtain closes]
[Optional Song - from in front of curtain, if another item is being prepared]
"How could this possibly be?