Flashy Worship

My family visited a large church in our area this morning. The building facility was beautiful and up-to-date. The children's wing was very enticing to young ones. They had every piece of technology a church could dream of having. There was loud, invigorating music accompanied with superb lighting and effects. In a nut shell, it was a flashy worship service. But, my spirit groaned within me. The Bible was not opened for the first 40 minutes. Frankly, I don't know if it was ever opened, as we left early. We listened to a couple of people give their "salvation" testimonies, but there was no mention of repentance or anything relating to Biblical salvation, merely an assent that they needed God in their lives. The pastor publicly mocked those who try to live a holy lifestyle, separated from the world. I was appalled. Later that morning, James read these verses to our family: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) I believe we are in the "time" in which this verse is referring. Sermons are tickling the ears of the congregants, and the majority of "Christians" are perfectly fine with the watered down mess they are receiving from the pulpits.

I'll be honest. I walked away from that church so discouraged today. But friends, I sincerely believe that God doesn't waste a single thing in our lives. He used that brief experience to further instill in me the importance of training my children in Biblical truth. We spent time praying and reading Scripture to our kids, explaining to them what they had seen in light of God's Word. Secondly, God continued to press upon my heart that His returning is nigh. As the church turns away from sound doctrine and truth, I am further convinced that we are living in the end times. Finally, God showed me again that my faith must be turned into action. To sit and complain about the state of the church does not further the Kingdom of God. We must act. We must win souls. We must train up warriors for the Lord. We must.

Flashy worship. Beautiful sanctuary. Modern technology. All of this is worthless and meaningless without a firm foundation in Biblical doctrine and teaching. I pray for revival in our American churches. I desire it. I yearn for it. I hope for it. However, this time in history was foretold. The itching ears long for the service I witnessed this morning. Keep your eyes open and your hearts ready, church!