The Mainstream Church: Compromise or Sell Out

Has The Mainstream Church Sold Out?

 

Successful marketing means being aware of the needs and wishes of the mainstream – your market and this works very well in business.

Corporate America would have it no other way. Sensitivity to the mainstream allows a company to sell their products or services. Find a felt need and fill it is the basic mantra. The mainstream has money and businesses needs money to stay in the black. Unfortunately, some churches operate under the same notion.

I am a pastor in a small community with no desire of paying the price to be a part of the mainstream. I will not bite the apple of the tree of popularity, wealth, and palatial surroundings. I am not qualified to judge anyone but I know sin from personal experience. Regardless of the shape, size, or allure of the activity, forbidden behavior is well defined in the scriptures.

If it is wrong to sin for a penny, it is just as wrong to sin for a million dollars.

In our modern society, many pastors have lost sight of the biblical mandate. God did not call us to be social giants or members of the popular mainstream. When we join the status quo, it often calls for compromise.

This may seem harsh but the reality of my position is being demonstrated in the theology and preaching of many in the mainstream church.

The unwillingness  of the mainstream church to stand for biblical principles because they often make Christians unpopular  is evident.

Mainstream Church = Political Power & Influence

I recently read a comment in Christianity Today by Adelle M. Banks which stated, “Like it or not, when you become politically active,  you become associated with the politicians you support,” Balmer said, alluding to many evangelicals’ embrace of the GOP. “Once you begin to covet political power and influence, you lose the prophetic voice.”

In an earlier blog, I stated that the Christian Right is Wrong for being so political and not spiritual.

As believers we maintain that there is power in the word of God. It is the power of God unto salvation. Mainstream preachers have become skillful at preaching messages that make folks feel good, but fail to bring the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Their intent is to make folks feel safe.  Many ministers in these mainstream churches refuse to go off the reservation. They are allotted a safe piece of ground and there they will be fed.

Not only have too many pastors embraced the politically correct, they too have embraced the idea of duality.

I will say what most mainstream pastors will not dare say publicly. Christianity in its purest form can not and will not ever tolerate pluralism. It is not a matter of religious bigotry or intolerance. It is a matter of integrity.

Many consider the Bible to be an outdated, archaic book of fables and old wives tales. They have reduced the scriptures to just another book of antiquity. This has not changed my belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

I do not see myself as being better than others. Neither do I feel more loved by God than anyone else. However, I would not be true to my faith or myself if I believed that there was another way to God other than His son Jesus the Christ.

Our Lord died for a principle and many mainstream pastors refuse to ruffle the feathers of those who support them and their agenda financially.

Mainstream Church Fulfills Biblical Prophecy

Ironically the compromising mainstream ministers and their supporters are fulfilling the biblical prophecy for the end game.

For example.  Harold Camping, the infamous heretic who proclaimed the end of the world was to take place on May 21, 2011, was absolutely wrong about the date. His arrogance would not allow him to relent or simply wait on the timing of God.

All Christians who are born again believe in biblical teaching of the last days. Some are pre-millennial others are post-millennial. These are merely theological differences held between believers in Jesus Christ. Most still believe in a rapture. All believe that Jesus Christ is the only way.

Mainstream preachers cloak controversial spiritual teachings in order to remain in the mainstream. For a remnant of us, the price for acceptance into the American mainstream is too high. We would rather obey God.

 

 

Christian Living: Samson & Miscalculations

Samson Recovers After Major Miscalculations

Samson is one of the most famous of the biblical characters. Renown for his great strength and courage we first learn about him in Sunday school.

And then there is the famous Cecil B. DeMille film “Samson & Delilah” with Victor Mature and Heddy Lamar. Who can forget those scenes.

But the story of Samson is important. It is one of Major Miscalculations.

Samson was the main attraction at the party to end all parties. The Philistines were amusing themselves as their former enemy was now the source of their derision. Samson, once feared because of his cunning and strength, was now a tragic comic display. They called out what was now a blind hulk of a man and forced him to do tricks in front of the drunken crowd.

Samson – how the mighty had fallen.

As the night of festivities went on and on, Samson did something he had done little of the most of his life. He prayed. In that simple prayer he asked God to let him have the last laugh on his enemies.

How Did Samson Lose His Way?

What had brought Samson to this terrible, desperate place? He had made a series of huge miscalculations.

As we explore the many miscalculations in this story we see the hand of God.  Samson had more potential than anyone in the Old Testament with the possible exception of Moses, yet he failed miserably. He became the most worthless of the Judges. The excitement of all his adventures does not overshadow the tragedy of his wasted life. A life wasted best describes this powerful and yet tragic person. How many of us today will travel this same path?

There are events that preceded the above story? Some are astounding and others are simply pathetic. But, that is the life of Samson. It is filled with both monumental highs and shattering lows.

Samson came from family whose heritage was prayer and in being yielded to the Lord. His family offered him up to the Lord, as was the custom in those days. Samson took the oath of a Nazarite but never lived it.  His promise to God seemed to have little value when compared to his personal passions.  How many of us do the same? How many start out with pure ideals and promises of doing well but end up distracted by the lures of the world.  Weakened by uncontrollable appetites they fail to maintain.  We promise God obedience yet live in rebellion.

Samson could serve as the prototype of today’s high profile politicians, entertainers and public personalities that boldly claim to represent family values.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Anthony Wiener, Tiger Woods and John Edwards just to name a few are tragic cases in point. How often the mighty fall for the fragrance of a temptress.

Consider the wisdom from the Proverbs.

She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home;

now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.

She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him,

“I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows;

so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen;

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;

he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.”

With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.

All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast

till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.

-         Proverbs 7:12-23

What powerful words these are. Too many men have fallen victim to ungodly thoughts and inordinate feelings. I am fascinated by the contemporaneous value of advice given thousands of years ago and even more so by the fact that it is still ignored. The Proverb admonishes us is that it is such ill-advised action that will cost one their life.

Samson Let His Issues Rule His Life

Samson also had anger issues and often allowed himself to lose control in outbursts of sheer havoc. The anger did not seem to bother Samson and it often led him into sin. Can we conclude from his life that one cannot afford to break promises to God and live as though there are no consequences? The bible calls people who break their promises to God – Truce Breakers.

On the surface, all of these men had potential. But in order to understand what went wrong, we must look at the inner state of these men. With so much to gain by adhering to the rules why then would they risk so much for so little.

I humbly offer the notion that these men have very low self-esteem. Generally you don’t think of the famous personalities and powerful politicians as being insecure or of having low self esteem, but in my experience, the insecure need validation more than others.

Some feed off the applause of the crowd; others need the attention of pretty women. Still there are those who need to be worshiped as heroes and the accompanying adoration. These are issues stemming from their childhood. These unresolved internal conflicts go on to create all kinds of havoc in their adult life. People with addictive personalities are sired from unmet inner needs.

We now understand that there may be issues that drive the negative behavior. Are individuals wise or irresponsible who ignore their compulsive tendencies?  Can we indulge our passions and not look over our shoulder with trepidation?

Samson followed his passion and married poorly. His unbridled sexuality did not further the plan of God.  Many like Samson have experienced the devastation caused by this addictive behavior. A life of major miscalculations best describes the character of Samson’s existence.

Samson miscalculated thinking that he could live life recklessly and that his strength would not leave him. He did not weigh the consequences of walking outside of the path of righteousness. Many make the same mistake and still expect to be effective?

The Philistines too miscalculated. They assumed the power and strength of Samson was of human design.

While Samson failed to uphold his end of his Nazarite vow, God never failed. Now blind and seemingly defeated, Samson finally “saw” the true purpose of his life.

In the end he prayed a sincere prayer and God answered. He used Samson to defeat the enemy.

How much more of a powerful life he could have enjoyed if only he chose to obey.

What is the morale of this story? We can realize our true potential is we trust God and take Him at his word. He is able to do what He promises through His word.  To disobey is a miscalculation with often dire results that could have been avoided.

 

The Path to self worth

Some Christians struggle to find their place and value. The Bible states that “the spirit speaks expressly”.  We can conclude from this written word divinely superintended that the shortfall is not on the speaker but the listener.  Ask yourself the important question, How well do you hear from the Lord with regard to the direction of your life and its efforts?  Are you in some kind of fog? Can you hear from God past your hurts, disappointments, and pain?  Finally, have you made yourself available to the Holy Spirit to discover His will for your life?

The safest place in the world is in the will of God. It a place where self worth and value are found.

Intergity

The scriptures challenge us to have “truth on the inward parts”.  We must be honest with our selves and not hide behind rationalizations which are internally fabricated lies.  Our likes and dislikes must take a backseat to the righteousness of God.  I am mandated by the Word of God to have integrity and transparency with regard to my dealings with others.

Are you angry with someone and calling it something else? Do your personal prejudices block your view of the right thing to do or say?  Think about it or you may run the risk of the loss of integrity. Are you an example of fair play dictated by the Holy Spirits view of reality?

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Think about it…

Rom 8:6-8 KJV For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

For many years I have struggled with people who took issue with my stand on being “spiritual”.   Many felt as if I was placing an unfair burden on their shoulders.  But a close investigation of the Holy Scriptures reveals an urging by Our Sovereign to be spiritually minded.  On the one hand, doing so brings peace.  However, when we look on the other hand we observe that not complying with the Word of God results in death. What kinds of death, you ask?   Death to our Christian effectiveness; death to essential or vital  relationships that ensure a more productive life; death to the peaceful harmony promised by the Lord among believers; and death to the unity of the Spirit.

Carnal people (meaning those who by practice live their lives through natural reasoning, thus ignoring biblical principles) see God and the world very differently.  Their primary value is the comfort and protection of their lifestyles.  They live in and for the superficial. They love to split hairs about principles that float merely on the surface of life’s issues.  The hard and fast rule of thumb for the carnal is to never challenge them directly about behaviors and ideologies that may make them to look bad.  Remember, they live their lives in the superficial.

To be driven by an underlying, deeper value that requires, as Psalms 51 states “truth on the inward part,” or a conscious soul-winning attitude so that they can make a difference in the growth of the kingdom of God, is alien to them.  How often do carnal people talk about winning souls to the Kingdom?  Will a carnal person speak daily to the people in their circle about the Holy Spirit’s invitation to a more circumspect lifestyle?  In other words, do they share about the need to observe the consequences of every thought and action in and on the kingdom?  I think not!

None of this is to say that spiritually minded people are better people.  Rather, they are people who are more intentionally mindful of the actions, attitudes, and behaviors that affect the growth of the kingdom.  They tend to want more for God than for their own comfort.  The underlying value of the spiritually minded is to transition from a life of conscious superficiality and disobedience to a life of subconscious substance and obedience to the Word of God.  In all my ways I acknowledge Him (God through His word) and he will direct my path.

Psa 1:4-6 KJV The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Which way are you??????

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