MUST-READ RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES ABANDONING FAITH
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MUST-READ RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES ABANDONING FAITH
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Ok I’m saying it. Because it’s too important not to. What is happening in Christianity? More and more of our outspoken leaders or influencers who were once “faces” of the faith are falling away. And at the same time they are being very vocal and bold about it. Shockingly they still want to influence others (for what purpose?) as they announce that they are leaving the faith. I’ll state my conclusion, then I’ll state some rebuttals to statements I’ve read by some of them. Firstly, I never judge people outside of my faith. Even if they hate religion or Christianity. That is not my place and I have many friends who disagree with my religion and that is 100% fine with me. However, when it comes to people within my faith, there must be a measure of loyalty and friendship and accountability to each other and the Word of God.
My conclusion for the church (all of us Christians): We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or “relevant” people the most influential people in Christendom. (And yes that includes people like me!) I’ve been saying for 20 years (and seemed probably quite judgmental to some of my peers) that we are in a dangerous place when the church is looking to 20 year old worship singers as our source of truth. We now have a church culture that learns who God is from singing modern praise songs rather than from the teachings of the Word. I’m not being rude to my worship leader friends (many who would agree with me) in saying that singers and musicians are good at communicating emotion and feeling. We create a moment and a vehicle for God to speak. However, singers are not always the best people to write solid Bible truth and doctrine. Sometimes we are too young, too ignorant of Scripture, too unaware, or too unconcerned about the purity of Scripture and the holiness of the God we are singing to. Have you ever considered the disrespect of singing songs to God that are untrue of His character?
I have a few specific thoughts and rebuttals to statements made by recently disavowed church influencers…first of all, I am stunned that the seemingly most important thing for these leaders who have lost their faith is to make such a bold new stance. Basically saying, “I’ve been living and preaching boldly something for 20 years and led generations of people with my teachings and now I no longer believe it..therefore I’m going to boldly and loudly tell people it was all wrong while I boldly and loudly lead people in to my next truth.” I’m perplexed why they aren’t embarrassed? Humbled? Ashamed, fearful, confused? Why be so eager to continue leading people when you clearly don’t know where you are headed?
My second thought is, why do people act like “being real” covers a multitude of sins? As if someone is courageous simply for sharing virally every thought or dark place. That’s not courageous. It’s cavalier. Have they considered the ramifications? As if they are the harbingers of truth, saying “I used to think one way and practice it and preach it, but now I’ve learned all the new truth and will start practicing and preaching it.” So the influencers become the voice for truth in whatever stage of life and whatever evolution takes place in their thinking.
Thirdly, there is a common thread running through these leaders/influencers that basically says that “no one else is talking about the REAL stuff.” This is just flatly false. I just read today in a renowned worship leader’s statement, “How could a God of love send people to hell? No one talks about it.” As if he is the first person to ask this? Brother, you are not that unique. The church has wrestled with this for 1500 years. Literally. Everybody talks about it. Children talk about it in Sunday school. There’s like a billion books written on the topic. Just because you don’t get the answer you want doesn’t mean that we are unwilling to wrestle with it. We wrestle with Scripture until we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.
And lastly, and most shocking imho, as these influencers disavow their faith, they always end their statements with their “new insight/new truth” that is basically a regurgitation of Jesus’s words?! It’s truly bizarre and ironic. They’ll say “I’m disavowing my faith but remember, love people, be generous, forgive others”. Ummm, why? That is actually not human nature. No child is ever born and says “I just want to love others before loving myself. I want to turn the other cheek. I want to give my money away to others in need”. Those are bible principles taught by a prophet/Priest/king of kings who wants us to live by a higher standard which is not an earthly standard, but rather the ‘Kingdom of God’ standard. Therefore if Jesus is not the truth and if the Word of God is not absolute, then by preaching Jesus’s teachings you are endorsing the words of a madman. A lunatic who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” He also said that he was alive before Abraham, and to see him was to see God because he was one with God. So why then would a disavowed Christian leader promote that “generosity is good”? How would you know “what is good” without Jesus’s teachings? And will your ideas of what is “good” be different from year to year based on your experience, culture trends, popular opinion etc. and furthermore will you continue year by year to lead others into your idea of goodness even though it is not absolute? I’m amazed that so many Christians want the benefits of the kingdom of God, but with the caveat that they themselves will be the King.
It is time for the church to rediscover the preeminence of the Word. And to value the teaching of the Word. We need to value truth over feeling. Truth over emotion. And what we are seeing now is the result of the church raising up influencers who did not supremely value truth who have led a generation who also do not believe in the supremacy of truth. And now those disavowed leaders are proudly still leading and influencing boldly AWAY from the truth.
Is it any wonder that some of our disavowed Christian leaders are letting go of the absolute truth of the Bible and subsequently their lives are falling apart? Further and further they are sinking in the sea all the while shouting “now I’ve found the truth! Follow me!!” Brothers and sisters in the faith all around the world, pastors, teachers, worship leaders, influencers…I implore you, please please in your search for relevancy for the gospel, let us NOT find creative ways to shape God’s word into the image of our culture by stifling inconvenient truths. But rather let us hold on even tighter to the anchor of the living Word of God. For He changes NOT. “The grass withers and the flowers fade away, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8)
(Shared on Facebook by John L. Cooper of Skillet.)
How do you hold on tight to the anchor of the living Word of God in the face of societal pressure and change? Leave a comment.
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Comments
Thank you, John Copper, for speaking truth and for reminding the church that it is in a dangerous place when it begins to look to 20-year old worship singers, “too young, too ignorant of Scripture, too unaware, too unconcerned about the purity of Scripture and the holiness of God,” as the source of truth. Because much of the current modern lyrics of “worship songs” are basically emotional and based on man-based theologies, pastors of these singers should be engaged in reviewing the songs they allow these young disciples to sing in the congregation of the Lord. Seasoned pastors must return to their calling of being vigilant for the truth and for what is being shared before the congregations of the Lord.
Pastors, you will give an account.
Lord God , forgive us, for changing you, our Jesus, into something us. “the Word was with us and dwelt among us” Give us a hunger for you Lord, a thirst for the well of truth which is the Bible. Cause us to embrace the fact that our hearts are deceitfully wicked, cause us to have the fear of the Lord so we might gain wisdom. Give us discernment re” these last days. Wake us up from spiritual lethargy. May we be proud to be your peculiar people. May we hear your shofar sounding that the battle is upon us for our culture and country. In Jesus name, amen
I grew up in a church where we sang hymns that were rich in theology based on Scripture. These hymns engaged the mind because they didn’t repeat the same words over and over. I enjoyed singing them and can still remember many of the verses because they were meaningful.
Then during the Jesus Movement beautiful praise choruses were sung that touched the heart. It was a revelation and a joy to connect with God on a personal emotional level!
Our worship needs a balance of engaging the mind and the heart. Unfortunately, the people who grew up just connecting with God on an emotional level don’t have much of an anchor for their souls.
Father God,
Heal Your Church of its weaknesses and flaws. Forgive us for our pride in thinking we know how to do worship. Deliver us from excesses and keep us close to You. Teach us to listen carefully to Your Holy Spirit and obey. In Jesus Name. Amen.
You are so so right about not having an anchor for their souls. I see so many millennials walking around like…… the walking dead!
Yes,yes, and Amen! My husband and I have been talking about this for years and you communicated this so clearly. Thank you!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for speaking TRUTH and for having the courage to take a stand!! So many, even in the body of Christ, are trying to be politicly correct. May the Lord richly bless you and your work for speaking truth so BOLDLY!!
Father God, thank You for sending revival and spiritual awakening. As always, let it begin with me, our marriage, our family, our church, our city, our state, our nation, and our world. II Chronicles 7:14.
Thank you for saying what needs to be said! Our Lord did say that many would be deceived in the last days.
We are seeing the fruit of Biblical illiteracy. May that tide be turned by the Holy Spirit working through the true shepherds of God’s people who follow the Chief Shepherd. May the Church carry on with humility and inter-cession for our fallen brethren. “The Lord knows those who are His ….”
Thank you, brother!
Amen and amen! As always, the answers are always in God’s Word. Like Jesus disciples said to Him, “Lord where else are we going to go? You Are The Only One Who has the words of truth”. I will continue to follow Jesus. He Is The Answer for everything we are facing.
The number of people falling away from the Truth does not diminish The Truth neither does their visibility or popularity. The Truth is everlasting. Also, the Word of God says, “”For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14. KJV). In our world there lives seven and one-half billion people and only 1 billion are followers of Christ according to some statisticions. May God grant to our world a mighty revival to bring in to the fold many more before it is everlastingly to late. Amen!
Thank you for your truth-filled comments! Reading, studying, and believing God’s Holy Word is even more critical in these days. Finding a group of believers in a Holy Spirit filled church or home church is also critical (Hebrews 10:25) too.
Thru seeking God and standing firm in His Word. We must be careful of what we allow into our eye and ear gates. Just because everyone is doing it, seeing it or hearing it doesn’t mean it’s beneficial. We absolutely must contend for the faith! Narrow is the path to life! Be BOLD in your confession of the gospel and standing firm on the rock!
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6. I was raised in church in the 1950’s-1960’s, and I received excellent training from my mother as a Christian and sometimes my father. I had a wonderful church family. I loved my Sunday School teachers. I really learned my Bible. I rebelled for a few years but came back to the Lord and he forgave me. My husband and I took our children to a wonderful church and tried to teach them about the love of Jesus. My oldest fought a war in the Middle East and is an alcoholic. He doesn’t go to church. I am concerned about the churches I see now. My other two have had their problems. Never stop praying for your children. Take them to a Bible-believing church that isn’t wrapped up in raising money or is performance-oriented. Make sure the Pastor preaches the gospel or start your own home group. Never stop praying for your children.
Thank you for the encouragement to never stop praying for my children. My sons are young adults. The spiritual battles they face are so much more intense. I always pray at least two times a day for them. Our times look more like Daniel’s in Babylon who prayed three times per day. I am told that the power of a praying parent is great. One evening I had been in prayer for my oldest son. I crawled in bed and went to sleep. A half hour later I was wide awake praying for his safety. About an hour later I found out he had been hit by a driver who ran a red light. He only received a small bruise and a sore abdominal muscle. The man who towed the car couldn’t believe he walked away without a head injury. All thanks and praise to God.
Praise God. He is awesome. Thank you, Janice. That is an inspiration to me.
Churches are trying so hard to be popular and relevant and attract large numbers of attendees that they have forsaken godly leadership in worship. The churches would rather have young, cool people to draw a crowd than men and women who have a true relationship with God. Many churches do not interview for these positions based on righteousness. Rather they just want popularity. Then the teens within the churches follow these unrighteous leaders on all forms of social media. We have an entire generation of church goers who are literally worshipping people who sing on a stage rather than worship the one True God.
I sat under the teaching of Evelyn Christianson author of an old Book called “What Happens When Women Pray”. She traveled the world teaching people how to pray effectively. She often would teach large groups of pastors and as normal at the end of her teaching she would take the group through a sinners prayer. She made it very clear that only those who were not born again were to pray the prayer out-loud. She said, she was shocked to hear two thirds of the pastors praying out loud the sinners prayer. She said this happened over and over again. That was back in the 80’s 90’s we are now experiencing the fruit of many false shepherds. Many pastors, leaders, worshipers are not even born again! Is it no wonder? Yes, the falling away has begun and we will see the numbers grow and with it persecution. It’s all in the Bible!
Yes! And Evelyn made it very clear in her books that if someone tried to be a fan of hers, she would quickly point them straight to Jesus and away from her. She never tried to make herself famous or popular. John has written an excellent article here. He is careful to point others to Christ and not himself. God bless John.
I have to constantly remind myself of what God said, it what someone says or thinks or the lie that satan has planted in my thinking. Know the word, speak it, rehearse it, trust it:
I also read this article about a worship leader recently disavowing his faith in the absolutes of God’s Word. It has puzzled me and I have prayed for this young man who leads many today in worship of a HOLY GOD. Is this the beginning of hearts waxed cold to being able to stand upon the TRUTH of Jesus and His teachings? The influence they have upon the church through music is pervasive and needs to be looked at, much of what we are signing comes from a heart that is based on a feeling, emotional love of GOD and not an AGAPEO love. I pray that the HOLY SPIRT will bring conviction and the church will ask, What kind of love are we offering to GOD? May we discern the difference between a sacrificial love that denies the becoming of a sweet smelling savour to our GOD, unwilling to embrace a GOD who loves us but cannot condone a sinful life. It is a broken and contrite heart that pleases GOD and who’s mercy and grace is unlimited, but is a GOD who cannot turn His face on sinful lifestyles just because we cannot accept that judgement for all is a given. His grace is always there for us but a humble heart is required. I pray for this worship leader and all those who follow that thinking and cannot stand upon His Truth under the pressure of the world. Have Mercy on US, oh God we need YOU.
Heavenly Father, in these last days, keep us in Your Word….the Bible…the inspired Word of God from first letter to last period! Protect us from the evil one who is out to rob, kill, and destroy your children, your Truth, your plan for eternity. He is desperate now as His time grows short; so may we all put on the full armor You give us and defeat the enemies tactics daily, so we may be found worthy in that Day when Jesus calls us Home. God’s Word is true and every man a liar in comparison. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path. Revive the church, Oh God, to hear You, to be empowered by Your Holy Spirit, not to impress man, but to please the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Protect the young ones, new believers, weak ones who are not yet established in Your Word, tested faith, assurance based. Stir up the body to cling to your Word and reject all forms of apostacy, worldly gain or celebrity-seeking darkness. Make us strong with authority in your Word, speaking and living in Kingdom authority. You, oh God, are Sovereign and Reign forever. Let every knee bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord….at all times, in all circumstances. Glory to God for His Power to Save us; in Christ Jesus Alone!
Amen!
Amen and Amen!
Read the Beatitudes, 1 John, James, Roman’s. Get your bearings straight.
When John (the last high priest of the Levitical Priesthood in the O.T.) baptized Jesus (our High Priest of a New Covenant, according to the order of Melchizedek) in the Jordan, Heaven not only approves of Him, the Spirit sweeps Him away to the Wilderness on His Journey to the Cross. He came to establish His Kingdom through His death and Ressurection. We too must lose our life in this world to find it. Many are called but few are chosen….my desire is to be “chosen”, He must increase and I must decrease…easier said than done. Yet He is my high priest, making intercession in the Heavenly Temple on my behalf, sprinkling His blood, allowing me to enter through the veil to behold the Father. Thus the life now, and the life after, eternal. I press on to His higher calling….come join the Hist of Witnesses!
Amen! Jesus is able to keep us….and He will make us to be like Him at His appearing….keeping our eyes upon Jesus; not looking at the culture to the left or to the right….face set like flint to gaze upon our Savior. as the old Hymn says….”turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace. May God jerk those who stray back into the fold before it is too late.
To die daily is the safest place we can be. If any desire to do the will of God, they will know if a teaching is from God or from man (the flesh).
There is only One on the throne, yet many want to be center stage. We must put in the Full Armour of God/Light! God does not share His Glory/Throne with anyone, but His footstool will do for me!
Amen
Rev: 13:7
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” I pray, Father God to help us focus only on you, not of the things of the world, guide us to stand firm on you! Protect the leaders of this Land and the church from evil! We are waiting anciently for your return!
Praise God! Amen
Rev: 13:7
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” I pray, Father God to help us focus only on you, not of the things of the world, guide us to stand firm on you! Protect the leaders of this Land and the church from evil! We are waiting anciently for your return!
Praise God! Amen
Yes, there will be a great falling away: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He then proceeds to explain this “falling away” in greater detail. Many Satan worshipers become pastors for the money, and all they have to do is go to a seminary, they don’t have to be called by God Almighty, they don’t have to stay in the spirit or do miracles, which a church leader must do mighty miracles and this will stop: 2 Corinthians 12:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
1COrinth 12:28 the Apostle is the head of the church.
Many political people say they are Christians to get elected, but aren’t. Remember Billy on Epstein Island.
Thank you, John L Cooper for this message and warning. I stay in the Word daily. We have to know God’s Word and apply it to our lives. Blessings for your boldness in speaking Truth!
I feel really sad about this. If we live our lives based on feelings and emotions we don’t have a solid foundation on which to build. I have been influenced by some of these worship leaders and am thankful for the moving of my emotions in worship through their music. But, the experience does not replace the need for the Word of God.
It is also very difficult I think, especially when these leaders are so young, not to let the attention they receive lead them away rather than toward true, solid, faith. Maybe we in the church have given them too much acclaim and adoration. We assume that just because they are up front leading the worship they have everything all together. If I have learned anything from my 60 plus years is that we struggle our entire lives and things get more complicated rather than simpler. Emotions just don’t have the power to deal with all that life sends our way.
We need to pray fervently for their repentance and return to the faith.
Thanks to John Cooper for his insightful comments. I appreciate his candor and concern.
Contemporary evangelicals write like they are the only part of the church. There are many true Christians and imposters there as there are also true Christian’s and imposters in the Methodists, the Baptists, etc. The church, the body of Christ is all these true Christians.
2Th 2:9
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
2Th 2:10
and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
2Th 2:11
Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
2Th 2:12
in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We need to hold these men in prayer that Jesus will reveal Himself to them and that they will repent and have a stronger message of His love.
The question “why does a loving God send people to hell?” should be the reason why we accept Jesus. He died so we can be with Him now and with our Heavenly Father after death. In heaven. Makes me think that if you don’t know this for a certainty you may not be saved. So simple. Seems like this simplicity of Christ has been intellectualized to be confusing. He is the cornerstone of our faith and this must be solid to build upon with other truth. Big deal. Bigger than any other person place or thing. Idols are not dependable and that’s why He says we should have no idols. For our good. Love the Lord…your God with all your heart and others as yourself. The first love makes the other love possible. So wonderful is our Lord. Our Savior and Friend…Jesus. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. Seek Him and you will find Him. You must be born again. The Word and the Holy Spirit agree. That’s Life!!! It’s a personal and intimate relationship that our Father wants with us. He sent His Son to die so we could make that connect. I love His loving presence and know if anyone experiences that nothing else satisfies. That’s a simple answer for all. Seek Him and you will find Him. A treasure to be treasured and shared. He is a good God. The Word says so. We bring most of our problems on ourselves. And it’s been going on since Adam and Eve so there are strongholds needing removed. He is advancing His church to prevail. We need solid friends of the faith. Find them and align with them.
Hey Jeane, I liked what you had written, but what I teach in prison ministry is that no person ever goes to hell for the sins they do. The only thing that sends a person to hell is the “one” thing they don’t do, and that is asking God / Jesus Christ to forgive them of their sins. They then can be “Born Again” through the water and spirit in John 3:5.
The LORD opened my eye’s to the water and spirit He was talking about in John 3:5 (and Nicodemus should have understood) is found in Ezekiel 36:24-29, where God wanted to have a new covenant with Israel where they might be renewed or Born Again. Today, this is no longer for a nation, but for the individual when they repent to God. The LORD draws them to Him, washes them, fills them with His spirit and removes their hard heart and replaces it with a brand new baby-like heart to love God and their neighbors as He commands us. The new believer begins walking with the LORD in fellowship as He continually cleanses them from their un-cleanness’s and blesses them with daily benefits of His presence. How beautiful is God’s salvation through Jesus Christ!
In Christ
Yes and amen
Actually, it’s a misconception that “God sends people to hell”. He gives them a choice to give their hearts to Jesus and live according to His Word or go to hell. The choice is theirs, not His.
That’s what I said.
Is it God ‘sending people to Hell’ or is it that people outside of the kingdom of God since Adam failed are on a path to hell unless they choose to enter the Kingdom of King Jesus? So the choice is ours, not God’s? This is an important distinction. Man had it perfect. He left that perfection by his own choice. It is man’s choice to return to the Dominion of God.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…” John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, He was with God and the Word was God…” We must understand the significance of “in the beginning…”.
In our daily battle, we must choose between the Word and the world. Faith says we stand with the Word and seek God to resolve any conflict between the Word and what the world tells us. While we wait for understanding we choose the Word. If we understood it all, from the creation of the heavens to the issues of today, we would not need faith.
Yes. That’s what I say too. You must be born again. It’s as the wind. You don’t know where it came from or where it went. You just know it was blowing on you.
Lord, please confuse the strategy of the demonic realm causing unbelief in the church. Make one lie prove another wrong until they kill each other and fall to the ground, In Jesus name, Amen.
I read this article with interest. I have often been shocked at different song lyrics and even refuse to sing them because they are so far off of solid biblical truth. As long as the US culture prevails and influences the Church rather than our being salt and light, we will continue to have this situation. Thanks for this article. Let our pastors and church boards be discerning in their appointing of worship leaders and other influencers.
Hi Paula, I agree! As a worship leader, I am very picky about the songs that we sing at my congregation. Unless it’s God-focused and Biblically sound, I don’t want anything to do with it. That has caused me issues at previous congregations because they wanted to sing whatever was new and catchy. Honestly, I’ve been very disillusioned with newer (the last 3 or so years) worship music. Something changed. The focus is so much on personal experience, rather than worshipping and adoring the One True God. I hope that John’s honest question of “Have you ever considered the disrespect of singing songs to God that are untrue of His character?” sinks in deep for those who read this and are in control of selecting songs for their church. As worship leaders, we are leading liturgy. We are teaching the congregation about the character of God, whether we like it, want to, or not. So we better do this right because we will be held accountable for it.
I applaud you Sarah and Paula. I likewise cannot embrace all the music that is sung. The issue for me is not only the immaturity of young songleaders, but the immaturity of so many writing the music played on Christian radio that shapes the faith of listeners. Where are the good songwriters today, who will write what is genuinely worth singing about and what God is pleased to hear. Finally, in regard to church music, as a guy untrained in music I find that most of the contemporary songs are impossible for me to sing. They are fine for soloists and performers, but not for the average guy in the pew. The old hymns are easily sung, but surely someone can write music for us all to sing in church. Please.
I think you hit the nail on the head, John. This boils down to immaturity. In my old youth group, I recall being frustrated at the way the leadership would promote certain teens. They were “project kids” of my youth pastor and he seemed to think the way to encourage them in their walk was to make them popular. Wrong! These kids would end up being busted for attending parties/keggers underage, sleeping around, etc. The fame didn’t encourage them to be more righteous people, but instead brought extra pressure that they were too immature in their walk to withstand. How many of these “worship leaders” can sing a mean note or shred a killer guitar riff, but have flimsy faith? And now they are being placed in leadership and given authority? Being a good musician does not make a person a righteous or a good example! I think Christianity as a whole needs to take a step back and re-examine a lot about our current state of leadership.
On a separate note, I used to write music for one of my past congregations. At the dogged requests of many there, I recorded some of the songs. I’ve been told by more wizened congregants that my songs remind them of old hymns. I’m not here to promote myself, but my music is on Pandora and Spotify under the name Sarah Sanders, if you’re looking to expand your repertoire.
Wow, you wrote congregational music? I’ll dial you up on Pandora.
And I agree completely that it’s very harmful to put immature people in leadership, and it’s risky to put them in front of assemblies where they have oversize influence. Getting kids up in front to do programs for the congregation occasionally is one thing, but young people often can’t handle “being the message”, which is ultimately what you are as a leader.
Yes. The church is at an interesting impasse. There seems to be lingering guilt about fundamentalist doctrine from the past condemning, judging, and alienating people from the faith. In response to that guilt and (probably rightful) conviction, the pendulum has swung waaaay to the other direction where the church has set the bar so low and has refrained from teaching basic morality that people are being allowed to step into leadership who aren’t ready or fit for it. It’s a delicate balance – how do you correct in love or appoint leaders in wisdom without offending someone? At some point, we have to get back to the Biblical standard and use that, unapologetically, as our guide. The Bible exists for a reason!
I signed up for a media distribution bundle a while ago, so if my music isn’t on Pandora anymore, I know for sure that it is on iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, and Amazon. Happy listening! I hope God speaks through the music to you like He did to me. 🙂
“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.” Rev 22:11
First Timothy 4:1 says, Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall the part from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils… Romans 10:17 says, so then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Luke 4:4, And Jesus answered him saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God. So we last days and we have to tighten up even more as the body of Christ. We must Continue to pray for one another daily to be strengthened with might by the Spirit of God in our inner man, may christ through our faith actually dwell in our hearts. May we be rooted deep in love and found it securely online of that we may have the power and be strong to apprehend what is the length, breadth, depth and height of the Love of God (Ephesians 3:16-18). We need the to have our armor on (Ephesians 6:10-19), Which is what happens when we spend time in the Word and in prayer, we are putting on the armor of God. And we need to pray for one another that the Word has free course through us; that we speak boldly and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we don’t keep our eyes on God and in His Word, living by it and fellowshipping one another daily in the Word, we will fall by the wayside also. We cannot be moved by emotions, feelings, but only by the Word, for it is true! KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS!
I appreciate this Author sharing about what we are seeing in today’s worship music. I have seen the same issues. Personally, I have preferred songs that anchor me in God’s word–many of these are hymns. I was fortunate that my piano teacher was a Hymn writer and with his help, I learned to play hymns. The words in those hymns taught me scripture, and are one reason I am following the Lord today.
Unfortunately, many of worship leaders have dropped this source of what I will call reinforcement of God word through singing it. Ephesians 5:19 (KJV) says “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” The Bible says to use Hymns. That is God’s Word!
Perhaps the regular use of Hymns–solid Gospel Hymns may help people stay true to the faith. It did for me.
I will add that I know of a person who put his faith in the Lord at an early age, learned to play the trumpet, but when he played the trumpet in church, he had only the music and not the words in front of him, and today he is not following the Lord. It is something to think about. I daily pray for this person. What I shared here is a true illustration of what may actually have happened to him. I believe that ‘one’ reason He is not following the Lord is that he did not have the reinforcement of God’s encouragement found in the words of solid Gospel Hymns when he used his instrument. There may be other reasons in addition to his not following the Lord, but in today’s culture, we need all the reinforcement we can get to follow the Lord.
My experience is that when singing Hymns or regularly playing them with the words in front of you, they can and do to encourage your faith.
Years ago I was seeking God, alone in the hills of India, far from home & family. Into my mind came the hymns of my childhood, which began to turn me away from the Hindu idols, yoga, and false teachings. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee…
What a Testimony to the power God’s Word in the Gospel Hymns!
Thank you for sharing!
Lisa Forte hit the nail on the head with 2 Thessalonians 2:3
And I would add that ~
He ( Satan) has an “appointed time” to be revealed” Thessalonians 2:6 `
In the meantime we who love the Lord wait in joyful hope for His coming again in glory!
Blessings of His extraordinary love, Anita
Depart from Me for I never knew you. What terrifying words! Lord, You are separating the wheat from the tare. Only You can save us, not a decision, a raised hand, a dunking of water. You knew Your elect from the beginning of time and we will know them by their fruit. Father I pray for those in the pulpit to preach Your Word expositionally. Men of God need to take seriously Your Word as a whole, not just select the feel good scripture that we all can agree on, but to know You, Your character. The only way to know You is spending time as You reveal us in the Revelation You have given. Lord convict those in the pulpit that spend more time in the world than they do in Your Word. Raise up church leaders willing to spend the time You require. Only You can save us, may we place our trust in You alone. In Jesus name would You make Your name known throughout the World. We must examine ourselves against Your standard, not against the world’s standard. Thank You Lord for Your awakening.
Amen
The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them. 1 Timothy 4:1 – Let’s stay strong encouraging one another in the faith. Abide in Him, seek His presence as spoken above! Reading Jeremiah 6::16 Cry out to God for the old path – Psalm 1 Blessing to all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let us remind ourselves that Jesus is the star attraction at church. It is his job to be on the throne there as well as in our hearts. Let us remember that Jesus is in our midst when we gather in his name. So, let us glorify him when we gather. See what it says in 1 Cor 1 – 4 about our attitudes. See what it says in 1Cor 12-14 about gifts that come from God. See what it says in Hebrews 12 about keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, The leader in our faith.
Agree with you Steven
Praying for a revival of the WORD in song
How blessed we are who grew to love The LORD through the old Hyms
My anchor is by daily abiding in Him, receiving the Almighty our Creator as my Holy Sovereign Lord, pursuing His Presence. This is through prayer, reading, studying scripture, singing, practicing obedience, hearing and applying sermons and teaching. In terms of time and practical application, I begin an early morning then use time in the car, opportunities throughout the day. Busy life with many Blessings even in the face of many storms & struggles; however, the more I pursue His Kingdom come, the greater He is in me than the world. He will be Honored.
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2 Thessalonians 2:3