CHURCH “SERVICE”
“Church” is not a meeting or a “service” …
But a local community of people in service to God and one another under Christ’s Lordship, which also happens to sometimes meet.
Category: Simple Church
SONGS AND WORSHIP
Singing and music are important for our gatherings, but please don’t call that “worship”.
Rather, the New Testament says that living lives of reverent submission and faithful obedience to God and His sovereignty …
Is true worship.
When we say that singing and music are “worship”, however, rather than teach what worship truly is …
We end up with carnal churches and carnal people.
So let’s joyfully sing God’s praises to encourage one another when we gather, as the New Testament commands …
While also learning to walk in true worship the rest of the week through humble submission and steadfast fidelity to Him.
PAGAN “WORSHIP”?
“Worship” these days is more pagan than Christian.
It is no longer about reverent obedience to a Sovereign God, but about the pagan practice of stirring up intense feelings which in turn conjure up some man-made god or deity.
It does this by creating the expectation that the more we surrender to the intense, manipulated emotions generated by some band, song, or charismatic “worship leader”, the more God will be present.
It has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself.
It is an addictive distraction from who God is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as the Sovereign Lord over all creation.
It also is a doctrine borne of carnal men, and is nowhere found in the New Testament.
It has become big business, with mega churches and mega recording deals …
While supplanting the simple New Testament commands to congregationally sing God’s praises together for the sole purpose of simply encouraging one another.
Unfortunately, though, it will continue to thrive …
Because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to control.
TRUE WORSHIP
Successful New Testament church and discipleship requires that we re-align our concept of “worship”.
That’s because what most people call “worship” …
Isn’t.
At least, not according to the New Testament.
“Worship” in the New Testament means a life of reverent obedience.
That’s it, pure and simple.
It’s not a Sunday service …
It’s not a song …
It’s an ongoing lifestyle, 24/7.
Yes, we’re encouraged to congregationally sing praises together when we meet, but only in four passages in the New Testament.
Two of those passages say why:
It’s to encourage one another.
That’s it. Nothing more.
That destroys the modern narrative of “worship” as pursuing intense experiences, often invoked through manipulative “worship” bands …
Which supposedly conjure up God’s presence.
Where do you even find that in the New Testament?
You don’t.
In fact, that’s more pagan than Biblical.
Although a genuine encounter with God certainly generates emotional intensity …
These days, we pursue emotional intensity and call it God.
Instead, let’s congregationally express God’s presence already in us …
Through songs that encourage one another towards true worship by living lives of reverent obedience.
Otherwise, we’ll remain trapped in pagan carnality …
Rather than find authentic church, authentic worship and authentic discipleship as defined in the New Testament.
PROPHETIC RUBBISH
It’s gotta be said:
If you got caught up in all the “prophetic words” about Trump being re-elected from the Elijah List of for-profit non-prophets and other self-appointed, unaccountable and attention grabbing “prophetic” crazies …
Or you got caught up in the bizarre world of Q-Anon delusions …
You need to humbly examine yourself, return to the Sovereign God of Scripture, embrace the simple – yet comprehensive – power and authority of His Word, and commit to healthy Christian community where you can begin to find balance in your life.
When you do, there will be no need or desire to pursue counterfeit realities or distracting, drama laden “solutions”.
Yes, there are real issues, and yes there are those who are authentically prophetic …
But God is not a freak show and what you gave yourselves over to was not of Him.
True disciples, who put their trust wholly in Him and His Word and are committed to healthy Christian community, will learn to discern the difference.
Those who don’t, won’t.
Repent, and get about the hard work of rebuilding the foundations in your own life and in our nation …
Before it’s too late.
Ultimately, you can’t help people …
Who only want you for your help.
Eventually, you must let them go,
Because without real community …
You’re not helping, but enabling.
Few are willing to do the hard work of actually being the church.
You know, an active community of believers who encourage and minister to each other …
Both when they gather together and throughout their daily lives.
Most, instead, are content to pay others to do “church” for them …
From an elevated podium and stage each Sunday morning.
Be exceptional!
Dare to be the church as the New Testament actually shows it …
And leave that other stuff behind.
Many “Christian” these days …
Want spectacle over obedience.
Which is why “worship” these days …
Is spectacle rather than obedience.
Church in the New Testament is never about gathering to experience God’s presence …
But about expressing His presence – hopefully already in you – one to another so we can encourage and strengthen each other.
Nor is it about having a “worship service” …
But about including congregational singing of God’s praises to encourage each other so we can live daily lives of reverant obedience to Him, which is true worship.
It also is never about a monologue sermon by the one …
But about all ministering to one another to motivate each other to love and good works.
So why do Christians accept anything less …
Each Sunday morning?
It takes a community …
To make a disciple.
Don’t be bashful:
We need to publicly ask those who publicly tell everyone how to do or be the church (whether organic, missional, traditional or whatever) …
If they themselves are part of one – in their own lives and hometowns – like they keep promoting to others.
You may be shocked at how often they aren’t.
But hey, that shouldn’t stop them from peddling their ear-tickling ideas, books, blogs and conferences to unsuspecting audiences.
Right?
🤔
Until you admit that “church” as you know it, is not how the Bible actually shows it …
You will remain stuck in your rut.
God’s presence without His sovereignty …
Is an impossibility.
Which is why I’m convinced that what we call “worship” and “His presence” at many “churches” these days …
Is so bogus.
On Sunday, many go hear their pastor as part of his congregation.
In contrast, I am part of a participatory congregation that ministers – pastorally and otherwise – one to another …
Without the distraction of those solo and monologue “pastor” things others do.
Interestingly, churches in the New Testament did fine without them also.
There’s nothing entertaining …
About authentic worship.
Because worship, as the New Testament actually defines it, means living holy lives of humble submission and faithful obedience.
Which may explain why real worship today among many “churches” and “believers” …
Is so rare.
So last Sunday morning, were you part of:
The Jesus Show (“church” on a stage) …
Or the Body of Christ (ministry one to another)?
Guys in jail often ask me how to find a good church when they get out.
I tell them that if they visit a couple of times on Sunday and no one ever invites them home to share friendship and a meal together, move on …
It’s just a meeting, not a church.
When people say “worship” today …
They mean reverent music.
When the New Testament says “worship” …
It means living our lives in reverent submission and obedience to God.
There’s nothing wrong with music.
It has its place, when done as the New Testament actually says …
But not as a substitute or new definition for true worship.
That was never God’s intent.
Everyone seems to want to do what the Bible says …
Except when it comes to how they do church.
YOU are the church?
Really???
So here’s the test:
Who controls the microphone and the money?
THEY actually are the “church”.
Not you.
You’re just their attentive audience.
“Worship” has been reduced from its Biblical meaning of living lives in obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to God …
To music that makes us feel good.
Although music can be a good thing …
Somehow, I think we lost our way.
Many “churches” seek to thrill and entertain the masses by abandoning New Testament norms …
Not for the ultimately benefit of their members, but their “leaders”.
How we measure “church” success:
Ministry by one gifted man who attracts fifty others to his “service” each Sunday morning …
That’s nice.
Ministry by one gifted man who attracts hundreds to his “service” each Sunday morning …
Now you’re talkin’!
Ministry by one gifted man who attracts thousands to his “service” each Sunday morning …
Mega success!!
How the New Testament measures church success:
Believers who gather together as a community, with each using their gifts …
For ministry one to another.
The me-centered, contrived intensity that many call “worship” these days …
Is an affront to God’s holiness.
In the New Testament, true worship is living lives of obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to Him, as He mandates …
Rather than projecting our own carnality onto Him to feed our own soulish needs.
Let’s return to the true God of Scripture with authentic worship …
As actually defined and commanded by Him.
Because when we relate to God on His terms rather than ours …
Amazing things of eternal significance will start happening in your own life and those around you.
There are no “worship leaders” in the New Testament.
Nope, not, nada.
In fact, the very concept is utterly missing from “church” and “worship” as actually taught in the New Testament.
Why is that?
Could it be that our notions of “church” and “worship” are more about post-Biblical presumptions …
Than what God actually says in His written Word?
Plumbline Faith 