When people say “worship” today …
They mean reverent singing.
When the New Testament says “worship” …
It means reverent obedience.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the former.
It has its place, when done as the New Testament actually says …
But not as a substitute or new definition for the latter.
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.
Are YOU the church?
Really???
So here’s the test:
Who controls the mic and the money?
They actually are the “church”.
Not you.
You’re just their supportive audience.
“Worship” has been reduced from its dual Biblical meanings of obeisance and obedience …
To music that makes us feel good.
Somewhere along the way, I think we lost our focus.
God speaks …
Therefore, I am.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion …
But not to a Christ of their own perception.
He created and defines us …
And not us Him.
Many “churches” today have abandoned New Testament norms …
For scripted events that thrill and entertain.
Not for the ultimate benefit of their members …
But their “leaders”.
Jesus never told people they were saved by asking him into their heart …
But through faith to submit to his Kingdom rule by doing his Father’s will.
That’s called repenting.
Those who proclaim anything less …
Are preaching a lie.
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 …
Now you’re talkin’!
Ministry by one gifted man who attracts thousands …
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.
True worship is living lives of obeisance and obedience to Him on His terms …
Rather than pursuing our own concepts of Him to feed our own insecurities.
Prophetic voices speak truth to those who don’t want to listen …
And don’t want to know.
Not to convince them …
But to convict them before a just and holy God.
Authentic citizens of God’s Kingdom …
Are the greatest force for reform of earthly nations.
History proves this time and again …
And God is not yet done with history.
It’s ironic how some think that elevating Christ as the Living Word …
Means discounting His written Word of Scripture.
Is Christ divided?
He’s all or nothing …
Because there is no pick-and-choose Jesus.
A “relationship” with a purely subjective Jesus, apart from His plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word …
Leads to inauthentic faith.
Likewise, “truth” from the plenary authority of Scripture without Jesus alive in us …
Also leads to an inauthentic faith.
Each extreme – born of an endless cycle of reaction to the other – chronicles two tragic trends of Church history.
Unfortunately, we still see these extremes all too evident today.
Authentic faith embraces the fulness of Christ:
Both His Person …
And what He has revealed in His written Word of Scripture.
Yet where my subjective perception of Him parts with His written self-disclosure, objective precepts and propositional truths of Scripture …
I must yield to Scripture.
There can be no maturity in Christ apart from these essentials.
Salvation isn’t about “asking Jesus into your heart”.
There’s nothing in the New Testament which says that.
Rather, it’s about repenting and submitting to His Kingdom …
On His terms, not ours.
In the final day …
It’s the only Gospel that counts.
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?
Functional, sustainable ekklesia is impossible …
Among those who reject God’s plenary authority of Scripture as His revealed, transcendent and propositional truth.
It’s like cats trying to herd themselves.
Someone asked if I believe in women clergy.
No way, no how!
But then again, I don’t believe in men clergy either. 😉
Seriously, there is no clergy/laity divide in the New Testament.
Instead, we are ALL commanded to submit one to another as we minister to each other …
No matter the level of grace, differing function or diverse gifts we’ve been given.
The true Gospel calls us to repentance through the uncompromising conviction of the Holy Spirit …
Rather than appeal to our vanities through the compromising enticements of men.
Have you ever noticed how so-called “Christians” who selectively dismiss the original intent, meaning and authority of Scripture so they can make it say whatever they want …
Inevitably do the same with our nation’s founding principles and Constitution?
This should be no surprise …
Because their hubris knows no bounds.
The key to success in business, as in life, is legitimately meeting people’s needs …
Rather than using them to meet yours.
Three things not found in the New Testament:
– Current prevailing concepts of “pastor”;
– Current prevailing concepts of “worship”; and
– Current prevailing concepts of “church”.
My God bring forth those with the courage to pursue the authentic as He defines it …
Rather than remain stuck in post-biblical human traditions.
State-ratified vice …
Is State-ratified bondage.
It’s one thing to allow private sin …
But another entirely for the State to publicly endorse it.
God and “me” are not the church …
But God and “we” just might be.
There is no Christ …
In a “Jesus” on your terms.
