Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Worship service or performance? | John 4:24 | Hank | 93163 | ||
Mommapbs, good day to you! To your question, "Is applause misused or abused?" -- While I'm keenly aware that any answer is probably more subjective than objective, I'd cast my vote with those who feel it is abused. In most churches I know, at any rate. I've written on these pages before my concern -- and disdain -- for the carnival atmosphere that pervades a number of houses of worship today. The line between worshiping God and being entertained is becoming so pale and ill defined that it is increasingly difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. The thing that is most disturbing of all is that so few pastors and music directors make any effort to curb the outbursts of applause that accompany hymns and sermons these days. On the contrary, they seem to encourage them and enjoy having their efforts to serve God applauded by men. It's a contrast indeed to the time so long ago when the heralds of the apostolic church frequently had the daylights beaten out of them and were run out of town for preaching Christ and Him crucified. It makes one wonder how many of the preachers today who leave their upscale air-conditioned homes in sparkling new luxury cars to travel to carpeted, air-conditioned church buildings to preach their 20-minute feel good messages to the faithful sitting in padded pews -- how many of them would stick around if the going got as tough for them as it was for Paul? Oh, but someone asks, Why should Christians live in such primitive conditions today? Well, one possible answer is that the majority of the world's people have no other truly viable option. They still live in conditions that are primitive by our standands. Perhaps if Christians were more willing to share their material blessings with the less blessed, the less blessed would be more inclined to listen to the infinitely more significant message that Christians have the clear command of our Lord to deliver to them, the spiritual message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In what can only be viewed as the majority of modern churches, much of the material resources are used up internally and never go any farther than the building and its paid staff. Similarly, I fear that a good portion of the applause never goes any farther heavenward than the ceiling of the building. --Hank | ||||||
2 | Worship service or performance? | John 4:24 | Mommapbs | 93167 | ||
Having just recently returned from Turkey and visitng the sites of the churches of Revelation . . . I am keenly aware the that the result of idolatry is ruin! What takes place in many modern churches is, in my mind, idolatry - well concealed at times, but idolatry at the core; for the emphasis is on what man is doing for God, not what God has DONE for man! Recently I too railed against the performance atmosphere that characterizes our churches. At present, my church is considering adding theatre style seats, doing away with the pews altogether . . . I'm glad I don't have to use a walker or have trouble getting up or down yet, but when they start selling popcorn, I'm outta there! Now, don't applaud me, but can I at least get an AMEN? Hank, I'd also appreciate your comments on the verses I noted in my previous post! Thanks for your wise responses! mommapbs |
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3 | Worship service or performance? | John 4:24 | Hank | 93173 | ||
Yes, dear Mommapbs, you have a resounding Amen! from me! Selling popcorn! Well, I don't like that either. Now, if they GAVE a box of popcorn seasoned with a sprinkling of salt and cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil -- well, I'd have to think about that :-) ...... But really, is there no quiet place, no real sanctuary, anymore where God's people can gather to worship Him in spirit and in truth? We are a nation that is addicted to noise. The din of the TV, the radio, the jackhammer and the jet plane have so jaded our senses that silence makes us feel spooky and uncomfortable. This mania for incessant cacophony in our lives does not abate when we enter a house of worship. There is even before the service starts a clatter among worshipers in the pews that sounds more like a convention of a large gaggle of geese than it does a congregation of God's people who -- perhaps only ostensibly (one wonders) -- are joining together in corporate worship of their Savior. It's quieter in a bowling alley. At least there you can hear a pin drop :-) --Hank | ||||||