There will be some who would question what I share in this article, but would do so mainly because of the conviction of sin. Some within the Church would show concern about all the fluff to be found in many ministries, and then roundly condemn everybody because there are no “true prophets” who are standing for the truth.
Some would even think that the big mess found in churches today has nothing to do with people not wanting the truth. They feed on garbage every week, but think this is the norm. Is this just due to a lack of preachers willing to do whatever it takes regardless of how it will affect their paychecks? Or is it largely due to the fact that “Christians” do not really want to hear the truth because their entire lives are made up of worshipping the wrong god in every aspect of their work, school, and home with the sole exception being the “praise and worship” on Sunday mornings?
While false teachers (like Hinn, Bentley, Meyers, Osteen, Avanzini, Schuller, Hagin, Copeland, Jakes, etc.) were prophesied in the last times, much of this has been permitted to come about because true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ routinely worship the wrong god. In doing so, they may pride themselves on never “killing” somebody or (fill in the blank___________), yet theirs is the greater sin because in every aspect of their lives they break the first and greatest commandment of all as reiterated by Jesus during His earthly ministry. “You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and body!”
With all that is going on around us in so-called “Christendom” or even “evangelicalism”, it would easy to think that some are doing all they can for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. To some, doing what they can for the Saviour means praise and worship for 45 minutes before the pastor or elder stands to deliver his message.
If a poll were to be taken simply by going around your own neighbourhood or your workplace, and ask each worker or each household resident – “Are you a Christian?” – I am certain that many would respond in the affirmative!
Even more revealing to the state of the hearts in the world would be to take them to Joshua 24:15, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Then we would ask, “Which God/god are you worshipping today?” The average individual might well respond without much thought – The God of heaven!
The challenge then becomes the matter of clear Biblical instruction on what worship actually is or should mean to a true believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
If we desire to see true Biblical change within our homes, or our churches, or our workplaces, and more importantly within our own hearts, we must see worship as God sees worship. In the Old Testament, Israel was commanded to keep phylacteries bound to their body and on the entrances to their home. This was to be a CONTINUAL reminder of which God they were to worship!
Marriages in “Christian” homes are falling apart at an alarming rate. In some places throughout the west, these numbers are 60%+ which means that 6-7 of every 10 homes will experience divorce or separation.
“Christian” husbands do not love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and many can’t be bothered to even try. “Christian” wives are more interested in following the worldly dictates of dress and lack of propriety than they are in seeking to be an ornament of grace to their husbands. “Christian” couples are not interested in being in submission to one another in the fear of the Lord. This means true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!
“Christian” homes run the television for hours every day. In doing so, they allow (through the means of media) the myriad sins and perversions they would NEVER permit to actually take place. The homes are filled with music that does not bring honour and glory to God all week; then wonder why theologically accurate hymns hold no interest in their hearts. These homes are a hotbed of all manner of activities which keep the heart in tune with the world but out of tune with God. Again, this means the true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!
Rebellion against parental, school, governmental, and church authority runs rampant in many “Christian” homes. “Christian” teenagers are enjoying the pleasures of sin at rates equal to that of their worldly peers. “Christian” teenage girls are getting pregnant outside of marriage. “Christian” teenagers refuse to practice any self-control in their attraction to the opposite sex.
“Christian” young people are caught up with alcohol and drug use, any and all forms of sex outside of marriage, the murder of infants (abortion), and many more heinous sins against a Holy and Righteous God – yet these same people show up on Sunday claiming to worship God! Again, the truth is that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!
“Christian” pastors and elders are using their pulpits as the only place to preach and teach against sin (if they are even doing that any more)! They are afraid to preach the truth for fear of losing their paychecks! They refuse to teach the whole counsel of God.
“Christian” churches no longer demand Biblical accountability in their pastors. They no longer practice church discipline. They are willing to hold hands across ecumenical lines even with those who deny the very foundational truths of Scripture. But don’t dare be unloving and unkind and “un-Christ-like” by reminding them we are commanded to be separate from the world.
Churches split because of the choice of carpet on the floor or the type of paint to go on the walls, but care little about the Biblical commands to worship God in every aspect of our lives. I am not aware of any church that has ever split because of correct doctrine being taught AND practiced! While there may be some, they would be the exception rather than the rule! Again, the reasons for this are that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!
“Christian” church members are coming to service on Sunday mornings for worship thinking they are doing God the favour of the week, yet they are living for themselves. They refuse to heed Biblical instruction from the few who are preaching and teaching the truth, but instead run to hear that which tickles the ear. They run to hear that which DOES NOT DEMAND CHANGE. Again, the truth is that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!
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Is there an answer to this dilemma? Is there an accurate response in how we should reflect true worship of the Maker of Heaven and Earth? Is it possible to see true heart-felt change to such a degree that “Christian” marriages and homes and young people and pastors and elders and churches and church members will truly become CHRISTIAN not just in name, but in deed as well?
I believe the answer is — YES!!! We will seek to address this in our next article on “Which God Do You Worship?”
Thankful for the Grace of our Sovereign God,
The Desert Pastor
5 Comments
June 11, 2008 at 11:54 am
Amen! This blog post is very similar to a sermon I heard from Paul Washer. Please don’t think that I’m saying you plagiarized it. The truth is truth, whether it’s original or not!
I am so glad to see that there are others out there who can discern false preachers like Benny Hinn, Todd Bentley, Joel Osteen and Rick Warren. I am getting so tired of “christians” placing unity and love above truth, when the fact of the matter is that unity and love cannot exist without truth.
I’m subscribing to this blog right now. Thank you for this post!
June 11, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Thanks for your comments, Joel. I have only recently come across Paul Washer. In fact, I can only think of 2 messages of his that I have even had time to listen to – one of which was the message given at the conference for young people.
Would be interested to know which message is similar in content to what I have written from my own heart. I would love to listen to it! I can say what little I have heard about Paul and from him, that I appreciate his stand on the Word of God and his ministry.
The Desert Pastor
June 11, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I found similarities concerning the topic itself, “What God are you worshiping?” as well as with some of the things you said. I’ve heard Paul talk about polling his neighborhood, asking if they are Christians, and the majority saying they were indeed saved. I guess it’s not just one sermon of his but bits and pieces from many of his sermons. I suppose the similarity is there because you both speak truth.
Don’t think that this is criticism, though. I absolutely love that you said many of the same things as Paul in this post because I firmly believe that America (and the world) needs more pastors like you two, who are more concerned with Biblical truth than the number of people who are converted.
You can find (literally) hundreds of Paul Washer’s sermon at http://www.sermonaudio.com, as well as sermons for many, many other preachers.
June 12, 2008 at 3:40 am
Great post Desert Pastor!
- The Pilgrim
July 7, 2008 at 10:51 am
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