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 Discipleship
TRUE WORSHIP
“Worship” today …
Has become an industry that exploits, for fame and fortune, the pursuit of fleeting intensity among a broken generation.
It is the new addiction.
The sole antidote is true worship, which is a life of humble submission and faithful obedience to God’s sovereignty, on His terms.
Only there can we find real joy and authentic wholeness.
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.
GOD OR EXISTENTIALISM?
The prevailing characteristics of postmodern existentialism are relativism and narcissism, rooted in individual autonomy.
Is it any wonder, then, that we see an emphasis on new “doctrines” which:
Define Christ and our relationship to Him by our own subjective perceptions;
Redefine grace to destroy all concepts of objective standards; and
Dismiss the plenary authority of Scripture?
Yet God is raising up a people who want to truly know Him on His terms …
And to worship Him once again in spirit and in truth.
MORE THAN A FEELING
Many know God as only a feeling …
And love the feeling more than God.
Which is unfortunate.
Although the authentic knowledge and love of God often invoke feelings …
They don’t depend on how we feel.
STANDING STRONG
Freedom is not the right to choose evil …
But the right to resist it.
Many desire the forgiveness of the Cross …
Without the transformation of the Resurrection.
It will not go well for them, either in the here and now …
Or on that final, fateful day.
Do you want Jesus for what He wants …
Or what you want?
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.
What’s the ultimate standard for truth, reality and morality?
Our perceptions and sensibilities …
Or God’s written revelation and sovereign will?
Herein lies the difference between popular existential ideologies that have deceived many “Christians” …
And authentic Biblical Christianity as God Himself defines it.
Our worse failings are redemptive if we let God use them to get our attention and bring us to repentance.
Alternatively, we can let them destroy us.
That’s why I seldom freak out when someone stumbles – many times I’ve seen it become a turning point for amazing redemptive transformation.
But whether for destruction or redemption, it’s always our choice.
That’s because spiritual health and maturity are not about perfection …
But rather how we deal with our imperfections.
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.
Because I love Christ, I’ve opened my home and my life to those abused by people who use Christ to exploit others.
Because I love Christ, I’ve ministered to people in jail and the woods with whom polite society won’t dirty their lives.
Because I love Christ, I’ve loved His “ekklesia” rather than the man-centered institution often called the “church” these days.
Because I love Christ, I’m still willing to exceed my comfort zones.
How about you?
Loving God is not enough,
Because without repentance,
It’s not God you love …
But your own concept of Him.
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?
Being an adult means fully bearing the costs, and the consequences, of our own choices.
Unfortunately, many parents today don’t let that happen …
Then wonder why their “grown” kids are such failures at life.
Tragically, I frequently see this as I go into our local jail …
Mostly among twenty-something boys from middle class families.
Even more tragically, the parents and their churches often continue – out of guilt – to enable their immaturity even when they get out.
It never turns out well.
Do them a favor:
Let ’em fail!
Stop enabling them and let them begin to experience the full, unmitigated consequences of their choices …
Even if it means they go homeless and risk destitution until they begin making mature decisions and start to grow up.
Being allowed to become homeless and nearly destitute will be a great shock to them – and they may initially stumbled badly – but with time I’ve always seen it turn out to be the best thing for them.
For the first time, they learn to grow up and own their own future.
These are not theoretical musings, but how our churches over the years have helped guys from the jail who had no family but needed to grow up.
In the long run, tough love may be the best love you can give.
It takes a community …
To make a disciple.
I’ve seen more carnal rubbish under claims of being “in the Spirit” than I care to remember.
In contrast, I’ve found that those who live lives of simple humility and faithful obedience …
More often are the real deal.
If you’re not a disciple …
You’re not a Christian.
Because there is no “Christ” in “Christian” …
Without God’s rule.
Until you admit that “church” as you know it, is not how the Bible actually shows it …
You will remain stuck in your rut.
If we’re not about redemption, then what hope does anyone have?
This is my passion.
This is my cause.
But it ain’t neat and it ain’t tidy.
It’s raw and sometimes ugly.
Because if Jesus doesn’t work for the worse of us …
Then He works for none of us.
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)?
Revivals come and revivals go …
But true repentance lasts forever.
Plumbline Faith 