SHOWTIME RELIGION
Another hinderance to God's order is the showtime atmosphere, with programs, ushers, superstars, rehearsed messages, actors, singers, movies, slide shows, floodlights, collections, applause, etc. This is not the Spirit led gatherings of the body where all can wait on The Lord for all things and minister to one another. God’s order is hinderd by these type of things in the church.
The modern culture of today has influenced many assemblies and has taken over the order.
If we compare most elements in the churches today with showtime we will see clearly the similarities,
Consider the similarity to many gatherings today,
1. Showtime has its huge decorated theaters where all sit facing forward for the show to watch the actors on stage. Many religious buildings are like this as well, some even use old theaters for their gatherings and all sit facing forward for the show (or as it is called, the “sermon” or “service” or "program"). These places are unbiblically call “Churches”, “the house of God”, “temples” and “sanctuaries”.
2. Showtime religion has its, floodlight, stage lighting and dim lighting. This is similar in many meetings halls today. Some places even have spot lights on the minister on stage and special effects and colourful light shows.
3. Showtime has its ushers who greet people, show people to the seats and collect tickets. Many gatherings today have their ushers and they greet and collect money from the people.
4. Showtime has its famous superstars who have their pictures in large frames in the lobby and their names in lights on signs and huge crowds come to see them. Many Christian meetings have thier famous men in pictures in the lobby, and who draw many after them . They have their names on large posters and in lights at times for certain meetings. They also have some of their men in pictures in the halls and openings of their buildings.
5. Showtime has its’s programs that are handed out and all the show is on a time frame and schedule. Many gatherings today have their programs also, written up with evey moment in their order layed out, from their announcements, songs, colleections, sermons and final closing. And they are also on a tight time schedule often. Where is Christ on these programs? And where is the rest of the body in these programs?
6. Showtime has its singers and musical superstars. Many assemblies have this also, with specific song leaders, or guest singers. There is even concerts and money charged. Some singers and ministers sell the tapes after the show. All this is showtime. In scripture we never read of a song leader in the New Testament. Christ sings praise to God through the believers and ”By him “ we offer the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 2). And as Paul said all believers are to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..in psams and hymsn and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). This all comes from the word of Christ dwelling in us and as we are in the Spirit.
7. Showtime has its movies and slide show presentations. Many assemblies have this also, some meetings are fully laid out with a slide show teaching by the one man minister. While such teaching may be fine for a classroom instruction, in the church we are to be led by God and not just in such a program slide show. If a believer is led to show a slide show of certain things, this is as the body is open to it and this does not hinder others from sharing. But when a minister has the same slide show format every week, and noone is able to function in the body, this is wrong.
8. Showtime has it’s actors, who reherse their words and perform for pay. In many assemblies, ministers have rehersed sermons and they get paid a regular salary for a good message and continual ministry. And when some ministers perform the first sermon, they do the exact same one at the next "service” at 11:00. Sometimes they even use the same expressions and body jestures in their performance. This is not the body life under Christ headship leading us. This is not the order we see in scripture for the church. Many are hindered by this acting and performance and pretence.
9. Showtime has its audiences, who just sit in the pews or chairs, and watch the show. Most gatherings have their audiences who just sit in the pews or chairs and watch the show, they are seldom on the program and seldom able to function in the gatherings. This is contrary to the ministry of the body in the church and to many scriptures that speak of mutual edification (1 Cor 14:26-38, 1 peter 4:10,11, Colossians 3:15,16, 1 Cor 12, Romans 12:1-8 1 Thess 5;11 etc)
10. Showtime has its applause for a good performance and praise of men exalting certain men above the rest. Many assemblies have applause also for the ministers words or for singer, and entertainment and exalted men above the rest.
As believers in Christ none of us want to be playing church or caught up in a pretension and bound under a fleshly show. I exhort all to consider these things .
Here are two more post that might help as well
The Pastor King (New)
Gods Order in the body of Christ
Another hinderance to God's order is the showtime atmosphere, with programs, ushers, superstars, rehearsed messages, actors, singers, movies, slide shows, floodlights, collections, applause, etc. This is not the Spirit led gatherings of the body where all can wait on The Lord for all things and minister to one another. God’s order is hinderd by these type of things in the church.
The modern culture of today has influenced many assemblies and has taken over the order.
If we compare most elements in the churches today with showtime we will see clearly the similarities,
Consider the similarity to many gatherings today,
1. Showtime has its huge decorated theaters where all sit facing forward for the show to watch the actors on stage. Many religious buildings are like this as well, some even use old theaters for their gatherings and all sit facing forward for the show (or as it is called, the “sermon” or “service” or "program"). These places are unbiblically call “Churches”, “the house of God”, “temples” and “sanctuaries”.
2. Showtime religion has its, floodlight, stage lighting and dim lighting. This is similar in many meetings halls today. Some places even have spot lights on the minister on stage and special effects and colourful light shows.
3. Showtime has its ushers who greet people, show people to the seats and collect tickets. Many gatherings today have their ushers and they greet and collect money from the people.
4. Showtime has its famous superstars who have their pictures in large frames in the lobby and their names in lights on signs and huge crowds come to see them. Many Christian meetings have thier famous men in pictures in the lobby, and who draw many after them . They have their names on large posters and in lights at times for certain meetings. They also have some of their men in pictures in the halls and openings of their buildings.
5. Showtime has its’s programs that are handed out and all the show is on a time frame and schedule. Many gatherings today have their programs also, written up with evey moment in their order layed out, from their announcements, songs, colleections, sermons and final closing. And they are also on a tight time schedule often. Where is Christ on these programs? And where is the rest of the body in these programs?
6. Showtime has its singers and musical superstars. Many assemblies have this also, with specific song leaders, or guest singers. There is even concerts and money charged. Some singers and ministers sell the tapes after the show. All this is showtime. In scripture we never read of a song leader in the New Testament. Christ sings praise to God through the believers and ”By him “ we offer the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 2). And as Paul said all believers are to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..in psams and hymsn and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). This all comes from the word of Christ dwelling in us and as we are in the Spirit.
7. Showtime has its movies and slide show presentations. Many assemblies have this also, some meetings are fully laid out with a slide show teaching by the one man minister. While such teaching may be fine for a classroom instruction, in the church we are to be led by God and not just in such a program slide show. If a believer is led to show a slide show of certain things, this is as the body is open to it and this does not hinder others from sharing. But when a minister has the same slide show format every week, and noone is able to function in the body, this is wrong.
8. Showtime has it’s actors, who reherse their words and perform for pay. In many assemblies, ministers have rehersed sermons and they get paid a regular salary for a good message and continual ministry. And when some ministers perform the first sermon, they do the exact same one at the next "service” at 11:00. Sometimes they even use the same expressions and body jestures in their performance. This is not the body life under Christ headship leading us. This is not the order we see in scripture for the church. Many are hindered by this acting and performance and pretence.
9. Showtime has its audiences, who just sit in the pews or chairs, and watch the show. Most gatherings have their audiences who just sit in the pews or chairs and watch the show, they are seldom on the program and seldom able to function in the gatherings. This is contrary to the ministry of the body in the church and to many scriptures that speak of mutual edification (1 Cor 14:26-38, 1 peter 4:10,11, Colossians 3:15,16, 1 Cor 12, Romans 12:1-8 1 Thess 5;11 etc)
10. Showtime has its applause for a good performance and praise of men exalting certain men above the rest. Many assemblies have applause also for the ministers words or for singer, and entertainment and exalted men above the rest.
As believers in Christ none of us want to be playing church or caught up in a pretension and bound under a fleshly show. I exhort all to consider these things .
Here are two more post that might help as well
The Pastor King (New)
Gods Order in the body of Christ
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