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NASB | 1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner. |
Subject: We should quit competing with the Top 40 |
Bible Note: Hank, Your comments are (as) equally scary as they are true. I know this has been discussed on the forum before but I haven't had a chance to go through all of the posts. I was wondering if you are aware of any posts (or threads) that give a basic outline of what the true function of the church (as a gathering place) is from a biblical standpoint. If there aren't any, it might make for a good topic. That seems to be where most of the confusion comes in. Here are some things to consider: Is the primary purpose of the church building a place for the saints of God to gather or a place to bring the lost so that they might be saved? Is God's Word taught for the growth and edification of the saints (discipleship) or so that the lost might be saved? Is God worshipped in song as a means to glorify and exalt Him in unity or so that the lost can feel something emotional and as a result, might be saved? Do we offer up prayers to give thanks to an awesome and holy God because, for His purposes alone, He has made a way for us to become children of God, in spite of our utter unworthiness, or so that we might present God as One who is standing by eagerly waiting to fulfill our every need (physically, emotionally, financially, relationally and ummm...oh, yeah, spiritually) in the hopes that the lost might be saved? Does the church building exist so that saints of God might come together with reverence for a holy God as they worship Him through the reading of and attentiveness to His Word, in song, in giving, in prayers, and in fellowship with one another and thereby building up the body of Christ as a living temple of God or is it so that the view of Christianity being projected to the world is one of a people who are "in step with the times", who will "go the extra mile" to make them feel at home (even providing a continental breakfast), whose music mirrors the world's in the hopes that they will find the worship of God an enjoyable experience, whose preaching and teaching consists of taking one or two verses and building a sermon filled with pop psychology and "instant gratification" phrases in an attempt to persuade them that, if they will just untie God's hands and allow Him to, He can fix their every problem and in such a presentation hope that the lost might be saved? We cannot save anyone. Only God saves. He saves through His Word (the gospel of Christ) and through the work of His Holy Spirit. We are commanded to preach the gospel. We are commanded to love. Do we do these things because we love Him who saved us? Or do we do them in a way that says we think God needs our help (our slogans, our ideas, our wisdom in knowing how to get them into the Kingdom and entertain them sufficiently to keep them there)? I humbly suggest that God does not need our help. He has given us His commands. He works in our obedience to them to bring others to the cross, where He alone saves them. Yes, we invite others to attend church services with us. It is here that they (hopefully) witness the community that exists between God's people, our love for one another and for God. It may be here that God chooses to bring His Word to life in a heart. But let's leave the world outside the door. If we bring the world inside, what do we offer that the world doesn't already offer (i.e., a quick fix)? God meets the lost at the core of their need; forgiveness of sin. If recognition of our sin and hopelessness as well as our desperate need for a Savior brings pain and suffering to our heart and causes us to cry out for relief from the only One who can supply it, why are we trying so hard to make the lost feel comfortable in our pews?? May we show forth God's truth; we are a set apart people called to a life of holiness, not worldliness. Halfway up the driveway leading to our church there are identical signs, one on each side. As you arrive at the church, the signs welcome you there. As you leave, this is what the (backside of the) signs read: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD Because of Him, Karen |