I see many things happening in many churches including my own that make me wonder the same thing, although possibly differently.
..."is there more to the church experience than this?" ...you said
There are many "good" things that are sometimes taking us down a rabbit trail.
Let me give you (hopefully) a simple example...
I live in Florida, so Tim Tebow from the FL Gators is a big name.
Sometimes people use Tim and his status as a great quarterback and a winning team to lead them to the Lord...His Great Salvation and Promise of Everlasting Life and Relationship with Him!...That is a great thing.
But...sometimes people use Tim and his status as a "strong Christian" to get those who are possibly already born of the Spirit/born again and walking and living holy and in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ or (close to the Kingdom) to go and become football fans and many times the football becomes their "passion".
Don't miss this because this seems to be "dripping" into many church buildings today in the form of "exciting worship music"..."signs and wonders"..."incredible prophecies"...and "dreams of health and wealth".
The Word of God is ABUNDANT with these examples as well as CLEAR cautions for each of them that is many times not OPENED up in the SCRIPTURES.
Another example: At the last supper the disciples are told to get some swords "at this time"...they tell Jesus...we have 2. Jesus replies: "That is plenty".
Later that night Jesus admonishes Peter who tried to use the sword to protect Jesus. What better USE of the sword can there be. Jesus answers: "He who LIVES by the sword; shall dies by the sword."
Who do we live by? Prophecies?Signs and Wonders?Football?Golf?Apologetics?Bitterness?Upbeat music?
..."is there more to the church experience than this?" ...you said
There are many "good" things that are sometimes taking us down a rabbit trail.
Let me give you (hopefully) a simple example...
I live in Florida, so Tim Tebow from the FL Gators is a big name.
Sometimes people use Tim and his status as a great quarterback and a winning team to lead them to the Lord...His Great Salvation and Promise of Everlasting Life and Relationship with Him!...That is a great thing.
But...sometimes people use Tim and his status as a "strong Christian" to get those who are possibly already born of the Spirit/born again and walking and living holy and in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ or (close to the Kingdom) to go and become football fans and many times the football becomes their "passion".
Don't miss this because this seems to be "dripping" into many church buildings today in the form of "exciting worship music"..."signs and wonders"..."incredible prophecies"...and "dreams of health and wealth".
The Word of God is ABUNDANT with these examples as well as CLEAR cautions for each of them that is many times not OPENED up in the SCRIPTURES.
Another example: At the last supper the disciples are told to get some swords "at this time"...they tell Jesus...we have 2. Jesus replies: "That is plenty".
Later that night Jesus admonishes Peter who tried to use the sword to protect Jesus. What better USE of the sword can there be. Jesus answers: "He who LIVES by the sword; shall dies by the sword."
Who do we live by? Prophecies?Signs and Wonders?Football?Golf?Apologetics?Bitterness?Upbeat music?
No...as the song says:
In Christ Alone...I place my trust...and find I glory in the Power of the Cross...In every victory...let it be said of me...my source of strength...my source of hope...IS CHRIST ALONE.
Your Word IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.
May God Bless you and keep you all safe in Him.
