Showtime Religion

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

Sketcher said:

So, what exactly is the problem with rehearsing messages? Teaching the word of God is a very serious thing (James 3:1), you want to make sure you are doing justice to the word that God is having you preach (Colossians 4:4).

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In the body of Christ a teacher is a gift from God and yes those who teach should teach others . But they must teach in a way that is free for all to be able to Minister their gifts and that allows body to edify itself under Christ headship and work within them (Ephesuans 5:15,16) .

This is done as we all wait on God for his leading . Elders and teachers etc should be continually studying and growing in the knowledge of Christ and the word will be rich in those who teach. They don’t have to prearrange a whole message and prearrange it, though collecting a few verses is not a hindrance when they are needed. The revelation and understanding of the word should already be with them or else how can they teach? If men want to take other men’s words and collect bits from here and there yet they themselves have not the understanding this is not to minister in their gift as they should. Yes we can all learn from other believers . But we can only speak from what we know.

If men want to gather as the church and listen to a precarranged message they can fight a print out of it somewhere and read it. What is the difference.

But I am talking about the scriptural commands of every believer waiting on God for speaking or ministry and for a sense of leading. Paul says to wait on our ministry or teaching Romans 12 and when we all come together every one of us can have something from God and be free to share it 1 Cor 14:26-38. Peter also mentions the kind of speaking we are to do in 1 Peter 4:10,11.

But if you have one man at the front called the pastor who alone is able to freely speak and he has a prearranged message that he timed to end in a half hour or so this an quench the spirit and hinder body ministry as we all wait on the Lord.

Paul told the Colossians to let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly teaching and admonishing one another. Even though teaching is different than prophesying there still needs to be a waiting on the Lord element and letting his word and peace govern us .all those who are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God.

And all things that any believer knows , even teachers have been given by God and his anointing in us 1 John 2:27.

I am speaking specifically of church gatherings where we wait in the Lord. Other times believers can study the word together in many ways.

So here’s an example, if I am I a meeting and waiting on the Lord and someone reads a scripture impressed to them about justification. As I wait on the Lord for leading he may call me to share and teach the things he already taught me before. And do I do and I teach the word. I don’t need to orecartange it if I truly understand it and have been taught by the Lord. This is different than prophecy which is s immediate unction. I already had learned from the Lord and scripture a while back so now I bring my out of my treasure to help others.

Also God has already instructed elders to feed the flock and they will regularly do this but still as they wait on the Lord. The different gifts in the body will come forth as we are all ministering in the grace of God

This is done so that all can be led and wait in the Lord.

“ Romans 12 - 3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation:...”

And

“ 1 Corinthians 14 - 26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 29. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 36. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”
And

“ 1 Peter 4 - 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. “
And

“ 1 John 2 - 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. “ so we listen for the new man in Christ and as Christ works in believers to edify one another (Eph 4:16,16, Hebrews 13:20,21)

And

“ Colossians 3 - 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

To do all in word and deed “in the name of the Lord Jesus “ is a key. To do something in the name, is to do it in the character, authority, power life virtue of that one who is Jesus Christ. So when we speak or minister or do anything we pray that all is done in the leading of God in our hearts.

In fact Jesus said that without him we can do nothing. In him our new man can do all things . That is if we are walking and living in the Spirit and led by the Spirit.

We also read this

“ Hebrews 13 - 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Notice the part where it says God will make us perfect unto EVERY good work , working in us. This is the key to all life and ministry and all things in faith. God working in us to will and to do. If a man goes off in his flesh and carnal reasonings this will hinder the work of God in himself and in the body.

Paul rebuke that kind of carnal ministry and professional speakers when he said,

“ 1 Corinthians 2 - 1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.... 4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:”

Sketcher said:

So, what exactly is the problem with rehearsing messages? Teaching the word of God is a very serious thing (James 3:1), you want to make sure you are doing justice to the word that God is having you preach (Colossians 4:4).

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Studying is important in Christ.

But how we hear and learn and know anything must be in a spiritual way as we read in scripture (1Cor.2:11-5, 1 John 2:27 etc).

Even as we study and read about words etc we must be led by the Spirit. The Spirit will guide us into all truth.

For example, if a person simply reads another famous commentator in a verse and just takes his word, he may have been wrong in his interpretation. So how would you know?. We must trust in God to reveal things and lead us

Sketcher said:

That's part of proper preparation.

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From what I have observed many do not study in the spirit. But rather put strong trust in the wisdom of man and human intellect etc. they trust old writers and go into many questioning debates about words etc.

And the idea of preparing for a thing called “a sermon” is also to be questioned.

In scripture we do not find a one man over all called “the pastor” who does most of the ministry and who dominates over all speaking in a prearranged time for a certain time frame with a “sermon” he created during the week, for a salary and where all the body faces forward looking at the back of each others heads and where there is no body ministry to edify one another as believers are commanded to allow in the gatherings (1Cor.14:26-38, 1 Peter 4:10,11,Ephesians 4:10-16, Colossians 3:15,16, etc).

Yes, there are pastor gifts. But the modern role of the so called “pastor” is not what we see in the church gatherings in scripture. We see a body with Christ as their head working effectually in every part to make increase and for edification of one another.

The spirit is quenched often in the traditions of men that make the word of God of no effect.

In 1Cor 14 we read that if anything is revealed to another that sitters by the first should stop speaking and give room for the one having a revelation to speak.

Sketcher said:

Preparation isn't quenching the Spirit, it's reverence for God whose word you have been asked to expound on and teach.

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1 Corinthians 14: 30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”

Does that sound like a person can prepare for that in a gathering?

We must always be in Christ and those who are given a revelation can share in meetings but how can they do this if a one man over all dominates by his 45 minute pre arranged lecture or as they call it “ preaching”?

A teacher also has to wait on the Lord for when to teach the things God has taught him. If he knows the truth he can share it at any time the Lord guides him to. This is different from a prearranged message. Yes, if God has put a teaching on a persons heart it is not wrong to collect a few scriptures to share but the free moving of the spirit and ministry in Christ should be allowed. To not allow this, can quench of cut off the flow of the Spirit in the body and hinder the mutual edification of one another that we are told should and will happen (Ephesians 4:15,26, 1 Cor 14:26-38)

As far as waiting on the Lord for ministry prophecy etc consider,

Romans 12: 3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

1 Corinthians 12: 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14. For the body is not one member, but many. 15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19. And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20. But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.”