Where Do We Stop?

I often see churches publicly advertising to hire "worship leaders," "praise teams," "spiritual dancers," choir singers, entertainers and what have you. They want to enhance or improve their worship even to the point the applicants' religious convictions are secondary. Many are seeking to entertain or please those who come to worship God. The more a church pleases people the faster it grows in numbers.

We see "mega-churches" in the news quite often. The leaders begin to distance themselves from the church all the while claiming to be just a regular member for the most part. They begin to show signs of wealth and power. They dress to set themselves apart and adorn themselves with expensive jewelry and drive luxury cars and live in gated communities. They sign book deals, appear on TV shows and begin to become friendly to, and associate with, the rich and famous.

Some put on extravaganzas to draw people. Christmas pageants with hired professionals. Big name entertainers and sports figures make regular appearances to make the worship experience more memorable. They build or buy huge facilities and incorporate many different "ministries" into their church experience. They even send portable stages into neighborhoods to play popular and "Christian contemporary" themed music.

And now, Dance Mimes For The Lord, submitted as formatted...

LOOKING TO START A MIME MINISTRY TEAM! I AM LOOKING FOR TALENTED, MOTIVATED, CREATIVE AND SPIRITUALLY MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO DANCE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! YOU MUST BE MOTIVATED TO DANCE! LOOKING FOR STYLE AND PERSONALITY, UPBEAT, BOLD AND OUTGOING INDIVIDUALS WHO LOVES THE LORD. KEEP IN MIND, WE ARE DOING THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS! LOOKING FOR 5-8 PEOPLE TO START! PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU MEET THESE QUALIFICATIONS. WE HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITY'S TO ADVANCE IN GOD! I PREFER AGES 17-UP, BUT OPEN TO OTHER AGES! PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. CALL 914-***-**** AND ASK FOR ****, OR EMAIL ME AND LEAVE A VOICEMAIL WITH YOUR NAME AND NUMBER IF YOU GET NO ANSWER, SOMEONE WILL GET BACK TO YOU! THIS IS A FUN FILLED OPPORTUNITY. THIS TEAM WILL HAVE LOTS OF FLAVA WITH A MIX OF HIP HOP! I MYSELF WILL BE AN INSTRUCTOR AND LOOKING FOR ONE OTHER INSTRUCTOR. IF THERE ARE ENOUGH RESPONSES, I WILL SCHEDULE A TRYOUT FOR INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND GO FROM THERE! WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS, SO YOU GOTTA BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS! CALL FOR MORE DETAILS! REMEMBER, ITS NO TELLING HOW FAR WE CAN GO SO LETS GET TO IT! GUYS AND GIRLS ALL ARE WELCOME! (Aren't mimes supposed to be speechless? - MW)

There are actually consultants who will show step by step how a mega church is built. Basically, a mega church is built by appealing to the earthly desires of human nature - tastes good, looks good, and will make one wise.

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 NKJV

The number one goal? "Look at us!! Don't you want to be like us? We certainly have something you want."

All the time the mega churchers are saying by their actions and even sometimes by their words, "We feel we're doing what God wants us to do."

Where does it stop? Does it even matter?

When people begin to feel what God wants them to do, there is no limit to how far they will distance themselves from the divine will as revealed in Scripture.

There is only one final source for what men do in the name of religion or in the name of serving God and Jesus as Lord.

And that source is God and God alone.

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 NKJV

Here we are told exactly how to worship God. We have to have the right spirit and we have to worship according to truth.

What is truth? John 17:17 says the Word of God, the scriptures, are the truth.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NKJV

We are to worship God in truth, why? "That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The phrase from God says we must worship Him according to His will as he has revealed in the scriptures.

God's Word tells us how to live to please Him in all areas of our lives.

In Deuteronomy 4 God says,

1 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:1-2 NKJV

Not only does He tell us several times in the OT how He feels about going beyond His Word, He tells us in the NT as well.

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV

God has directed a special specific type of singing in worship.

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:9 NKJV

15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. I Corinthians 14:15 NKJV

Singing is to be a community activity involving everyone. Praise teams, Mimes and other entertainers go beyond what is directed in scripture.

God has directed a special specific kind of prayer in worship.

15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. I Corinthians 14:15 NKJV

God has directed a specific special kind of preaching.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV

God has directed a special specific kind of giving.

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2 NKJV

When one gives as one has prospered on the first day of every week for the ongoing work of the church there is no nothing left, and no need, to give at some planned future date down the road for a special work.

God has directed a special specific kind of fellowship meal on a specific special day.

20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come. (I Corinthians 11:20-34 NKJV)

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

Anything else is going against the scripturally directed will of God

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9

We stop by never going outside of the Word to begin with.

If we can assist you in this matter please call on us if we can be of service or if you have any questions or comments or you would like to discuss this further.

Marv Walker
706 816-7190