Hi Mike,
You wrote on another thread:
"Just the other day I was in a pastors - leaders meeting and we were discussing the topic of worship. The general consensus from the pastors is that we need to be relevant to the young people in the praise and worship in the church. I brought up the point that we should not be trying to entertain the people, and asked the question - how far do we need to take this thing, do we need hard rock music, a light show, and smoke to be relevant?
"Apparently, the pastors and leaders all believed that the end justifies the means, so God can use these means to attract young people to the church.”
Some thoughts:
If we have to resort to hard rock music, light show and smoke to attract young people to the church, we have missed the glory and greatness, power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God does not live in temples built by men.
Acts 17:24-25 ”“
The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
The Lord Jesus Himself is the builder of His church.
Jesus said, "……I will build My church……” (Matt. 16:18).
Ps. 127:1-2 ”“
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Church growth is God’s work.
Acts 2:47 -- And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
1 Cor. 3:6 -- I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
The apostles gave themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).
We sing praises to God and thank God with our songs.
Ps. 28:7 ”“
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
Ps. 59:17 ”“
O my strength, I will sing praises to You;
For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.
Ps. 69:30 ”“
I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Can our praises and thanksgiving be joyous and heartfelt when we are emotionally disconnected from the songs we sing?