This is a long post, I pray you will find it useful for your edification. In this post my hope is that you will see the parallels and similarities between parts 1 & 2.
Even though some of the methods used in part 1 were thought to be destroyed; remnants of the past still remain today. Notice in these two parts how the Gospel message is obscured, twisted, or ignored.
Also keep in mind:
#1 Things don’t or didn’t JUST happen.
#2 It’s NOT by accident; that things are the way they are.
#3 things our enemy has used in the past with success; he will try to use in the future (with a modern twist, of course)
Questions to ponder:
Are we drawn to edifices or edification?
Is the hope of our gathering based on personalities or the Personhood of Christ?
PART 1: 🔥
The church, in past centuries has drawn it’s parishioners using many tools. The church goers in the early and middle centuries were for the most part very unlearned. So to “help things along” churches used visual images and icons for the people to see. The prevailing thought was, that since the people most likely could not understand “the message”; maybe they could get something out of the visual image. Sounded good in theory; but in reality for many it was turned into worship of a graven image. (Which is expressly forbidden.)
Also since “the message” was so hard to understand, and things needed to be done correctly in man’s eyes; repentance was carried out through a mediator. The people could not come directly to God.
“No!”
“Only WE have been properly trained and schooled in the priestly duties.”
“Only WE can lead the people in the proper process to reach God.”
This was 180 degrees from what Jesus wanted. Jesus removed every barrier (the veil was torn in two). Jesus’ desire was bringing people directly to Himself, restoring relationship with the Father. Jesus desired it so much he gave His life to pay for it.
Oh; did I mention… They built massive, beautiful, and awe inspiring buildings to direct people to the awe, wonder, and beauty of God.
The priests also would wear priestly robes when they carried out their duties; to remind the people of our righteousness with God, and our adorned beauty and covering in Him.
Because of the reverberant sounds in the massive buildings; the sound of the songs changed as well. They went from the festive and celebratory tone of daily life; to a more reserved and drawn out, somber tone. All done in the name of bringing honor, and reverence to God.
Because God was serious.
And the ministers needed to ensure that it was shown in their faces, and body movements. So they did.
Oh…. And since the people were uneducated, and mostly lacking in understanding; the church made sure to sing, and read the scriptures in a language the common people could NOT understand.
Ensuring the “mysterious mystery” of God; and keeping the people in their place.
Mass printing of the Bible hadn’t taken place yet; so every copy was handwritten in a language the common people didn’t speak. Based upon the premise: God doesn’t speak our language, and the people are illiterate; anyway?
What?!!
Really?!!
See how twisted things had become; but that was only on the surface. The deception went much deeper than that.
These edifices didn’t build themselves. It took the “strong backs” and (by the church leaders perception) “weak minds” of the faithful. And the local clergy had to be certain to pull in all of the poor “widow’s mites” as possible; to keep the treasury coffers full.
The leaders themselves, had become more and more distant from the people. Their status being further and further exalted. Simply being a “right standing, common man” was no longer enough. They (in their minds) reached ever higher levels of priesthood; leading to sainthood. Requiring that they be referred to, by more and more prestigious titles. Their personalities; fueling their popularity, which also ensured their political power.
And they loved to wield their power.
Taking their own opinions and turning them into church law. Lording their power over the people. Getting rich. Bribing their way out of trouble. Failing to repent for their wicked actions; they doubled down on them.
Whew!
My eyes and mind are hurting from looking into this twisted darkness!
Why does this all matter?
Remember the 3 opening statements. We don’t want to be ignorant in any way, to what our enemy is doing today….
During that time; God used people like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, and others to shine light into this “darkened room” that the church had become. Unfortunately not all were drawn to the light; but many slunk back into the dark recesses of their carnal minds.
Thank you God for the reforms and reformers that brought varying degrees of clarity, simplicity, and understanding back to the gospel message!
Also….
Didn’t Jesus say the Kingdom was to be received as a little child? (Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15, and Luke 18:17).
Glad we are keeping it “little child” simple today…..
Aren’t we?
Or do we have our own set of challenges trying to obscure and complicate things?
Will we see any similarities in part 2?…
Have you already noticed some, that are happening today?…
PART 2: 🔥🔥
Looking for a “church” today? Let’s do it!
We have our list ready.
We are prepared. Here we go! :
Modern- the latest in technology and trends.
Contemporary- relative to our lives today.
New – (building, church, with youthful and hip people). All the new we can stand. It can’t be too new…
Exciting/entertaining- this is a must; or we will get bored and lose interest.
Resources – must be full and plentiful including many programs & benefits specific to every obscure and remote life issue. Making sure each issue has it’s own group, clique, or outreach….
Convenient- if possible, right down the street from our house. But, not too close; we don’t want the church getting involved in our daily lives.
The service gathering- Only 1 time a week, not taking more than 1.5 hours of our time.
The ideal arrangement for services would be:
An early service “for those all nighters”,
a mid-morning service “for those regular Sunday’s”,
and possibly even a 2 p.m. service for those “can’t get up, and going mornings”….
Serving us- Have people smiling and greeting us from the edge of the property to our seat. (make sure they have a shirt or name badge that designates them as such. “We wouldn’t want to confuse them with regular church folk.”)
Make sure you have a catchy name for your church (so that we might show up in the first place). If you are affiliated with a denomination; be sure to delete that info from your name, your branding, and all your media. (It just helps us, to not be pre-offended; before we visit your church.)
Also, don’t publicize your statement of beliefs…Why take the risk of being offensive?
Worship – Definitely modern…
It would be cool if you modernized an old hymn once in a while…
And hey!
Maybe once a month do a popular song off of the radio so we can all sing along.
Oh; and a light show!
With many video screens!
And if you could (I know it’s asking a lot.) Could you make sure that you have youngish and attractive people on stage?
Please make sure the worship team is always smiling and laughing; no matter what the mood or lyric of the song. We need positivity, and uplifting music; please.
P.S. On the worship thing …. My wife likes a “countdown” before worship; so if you could have one, it would be great. She says it reminds her of when they used to launch things into outer space.
As for the Speaker, Pastor, or whatever-
They definitely need to make everything non confrontational… If it’s not positive and encouraging we don’t want to hear it. We didn’t come here for correction.
The person speaking also needs to make sure and give a funny thing that happened to them this week. Stories with props or acted out events are the best. Maybe with some inserted video clips. It would be great if the sermon series was introduced with some kind of fanfare. People dancing across the stage or something….And maybe a movie night!
Wait!!!
Maybe a series based on the movies!…
that’d be great! (My wife and I really enjoy movies. 😍)
What about Scripture?
Oh yeah; I guess. Maybe a one liner of scripture, would be fine; but don’t get too preachy. We are not worried about context…just make sure that it’s from a modern translation; and that it’s something catchy. We particularly like the ones that talk about our blessings; and those scripture one liners that sound like they could apply to anything.
If your church is really entertaining; we might come back when it fits into our schedule. Or at least post something on social media about your church. That’s all we can offer right now. So don’t expect anything else from us.
We just want to belong; but not do anything. Or to be asked to do anything.
I mean come on…when you go to a nice restaurant: you are seated, served by people, and order whatever you want off of the menu. If the food is not what you wanted, and prepared the way you ordered it; you’re not paying! Remember at a restaurant; we don’t cook the food, clean the table, or wash the dishes. If the food is good, and the service is excellent, we might be obliged to tip the waiter; but don’t expect anything else from us.
So that’s our church “short list”. I know there is more that WE are looking for in a church; but WE will know it, when WE see it.
Oh yeah; one more thing…Food! Give us something good to eat every now and again. As long as it meets my wife’s dietary restrictions…
HOW SICK AND TWISTED!
And that is just on the surface. From the “seekers” point of view…. imagine what goes on behind the scenes to facilitate this type of “church”. What conversations and methods must be enacted by the leadership to ensure that everyone is “pleased”?
As my mom would say: “You can’t please everyone.”
This type of church is NOT buying into that statement. Well here’s another one; they aren’t buying either:
“You cannot serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one and love the other, or you will be loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time.”
Matthew 6:24 Easy Read Version
And Jesus; speaking in context on the same issue:
“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things you need.”
Matthew 6:33 Easy Read Version
Talk about hindering the gospel!…
When we try to serve people instead of serving God!
This is plaguing MANY churches in our country!
Please realize, it is not individual “items” that are the problem; it is the motive behind them collectively which is perverse. (Man pleasing instead of God pleasing.)
Jesus speaking again to Martha (sister of Mary and Lazarus):
“She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Then tell her to help me.” Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.”
“But one thing is needed. And Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.””
Luke 10:39-42 Modern English Version
One thing is needed in our “Modern Church Model” in America.
GOD
Listening to, receiving instruction from, and full devotion to God alone!
God will not remain forever silent; while everything BUT the “one needed thing” is accomplished!
And God; just as in ages past, will send the reformers and the reformation that is needed!
We may still see pockets of the old “man serving, man pleasing” church. As a matter of fact… there is still quite a large residue that was left unchanged from the reformation that happened in the 1500’s.
Nevertheless; we have one mission!
To make His name great in the earth!
And to keep it simple!
(remember Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15, and Luke 18:17).
Don’t be deceived; God’s purpose will be fulfilled (obtained) by a people.
Here on the earth!
And no man pleasing organization will be able to stop it!
Even if it’s a mega-church.