There is a revolution going on in the denominational world. n n There is a movement that is centered...

There is a revolution going on in the denominational world.

There is a movement that is centered in “vineyard churches” that claim to break the “traditions” of the past and make “worship” the focus of the assemblies.

When this movement speaks of “worship” they mean specialized teams of singers and performers. Choirs, bands and plays make up most of what is done in these groups. Surveys are taken to find out what men desire.

I was listening to a denominational broadcast this week where an older preacher talked about the beginning of this movement and how it become the norm.

He saw that the songs shifted from an emphasis of the nature of God and approaching Him to an expression of how the “worshipper” felt!

He maintained that most of the songs were very shallow at best.

The “preaching” was limited to a very short talk of little Bible depth.

Today most churches now have separate services for “traditional” and “contemporary” worship.

The house church movement imbibes this spirit also.

There have been several “house churches” There have been several “house churches” in recent years begin from faithful in recent years begin from faithful churches through the influence of LaGard churches through the influence of LaGard Smith’s writings. It has a similar focus.Smith’s writings. It has a similar focus.

The “rigid-rules” of our “traditional” The “rigid-rules” of our “traditional” assemblies are discarded for a more casual assemblies are discarded for a more casual interpersonal exchange and dialogue.interpersonal exchange and dialogue.

In Bowling Green Kentucky several FC In Bowling Green Kentucky several FC students have been pulled into the students have been pulled into the movement. Recently a friend’s daughter movement. Recently a friend’s daughter had to change roommates because her had to change roommates because her previous roommate was pulled into this previous roommate was pulled into this movement. Her new roommate had the movement. Her new roommate had the same experience as well. same experience as well.

These groups observe the Lord’s Supper in These groups observe the Lord’s Supper in a more personal context like you would a a more personal context like you would a meal.meal.

You will see few of these students ever You will see few of these students ever coming back to faithful churches. These coming back to faithful churches. These

house churches are “half-way house churches are “half-way houses” to denominationalism.houses” to denominationalism.

There have been several “house churches” in recent years begin from faithful churches.

The appeal of these groups is a man centered pride filled spirit.

In Bowling Green Kentucky several FC students have been pulled into the movement. Churches have also started in Alabama.

Worship is to be given to God!

Worship must be God centered, not man centered.

We need to be asking the question: “What does God really want?” The answer is: “Our Hearts!” (Micah 6:6-8)

Micah 6:6-8 (NKJV)6 - With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

We become like what we worship. (Psa 115:4-8; Psa 135:15-18)

Psalm 115:4-8 (NKJV)4 - Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5

They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell;

7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

Psalm 135:15-18 (NKJV) - The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

Sadly men are encouraged to “shop” for churches like you would for clothes or a restaurant. Our only goal is to seek God. (Heb 11:6)

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God has designed worship as the primary means of keeping our hearts right!

Could we come to services and the end result be worse for us? (1 Cor 11:17)

1 Corinthians 11:17 (NKJV)17Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31 (NKJV)27

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

Occasionally I hear of a brother who had great Bible knowledge who fell into a web of sin. How did that happen? First look to his worship.

We must have a worship that looks upon God and exposes our hearts! (Heb 4:12-13)

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV)12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

What do you think of when approaching God in prayer? The Lord's supper? Singing? Bible Study? (Mt 15:8-9)

Matthew 15:8-9 (NKJV) - ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Proper worship tests the heart! (1 Cor 14:24-25)

1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NKJV)24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Many people try to stay busy and avoid their conscious. These people do not like to be alone with God! This is why a neglect of worship will lead to an indifferent hardness.

Are the “non-traditional” worship services in harmony with God’s will?

Does the Bible approve of singing groups or “worship teams?”

The singing of the Bible is for a specific purpose. (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16)

Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV)19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

When we are with other Christians we are to sing to each other! When you see "one another" passages in the Bible you are seeing a "reciprocal pronoun" which indicates participation of everyone.

We also are to sing to God from our hearts. We must mean the words we sing! (Eph 5:19)

Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV)19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

When you take all God has said on this subject this is all God has authorized. How will we glorify God? (Col 3:17; Eph 5:20)

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)20giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

If there is a group of Christians who sing to one another from the heart for the worship of God then their actions are scriptural. Every Christian present should have an opportunity to sing.

Why have special groups? One church in Montgomery used hidden microphones to amplify the voices of their “best” singers.

Singing groups are being used in many churches to prepare Christians to accept false teaching.

This alone would not make singing groups wrong.

Some groups use their voices to make instrumental sounds. This is an attempt to prepare brethren to accept instrumental music in worship.

Singing groups are being used to promote an "inter-denominational fellowship.”

Does the Bible approve of plays and drama performances?

What is the purpose of a play?

What is the purpose of a play? In our society plays are dependant upon

good writing and good acting.

A class may use role playing as a teaching tool. Here the ones participating gain the benefit.

We need to think these things over very carefully.

Does the Bible approve of applauding as a sign of approval?

The Bible teaches that there is a proper way to express approval in worship.

There is a place for amen! (1 Cor 14:16-17)

1 Corinthians 14:16-17 (NKJV) 16

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

There was a setting in the Old Testament where God specifically instructed his people to say amen. (Deut 27:11-17)

Deuteronomy 27:11-17 (NKJV)11And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying, 12“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, …

14“And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 15‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’ 16‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

17‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

Why say amen? It should be a true expression from the heart as a result of understanding and conviction. Should someone say: "Let's hear an amen?”

All that we do must seek the edification of the hearers and not just for a carnal excitement. (1 Cor 14:5,26,40)

1 Corinthians 14:5 (NKJV)5I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV)40Let all things be done decently and in order.

What does clapping indicate?

There is no uniform meaning in any culture! How then can it edify?

When used during songs if often indicates an excitement over the music in a carnal way.

If we can clap with our hands could we not also use drums?

“In such churches the ordained worship practiced for so many years now becomes a source of embarrassment and efforts begin to "jazz-up" their worship by incorporating things seen in denominations. Out goes the old traditional songs and in comes new "contemporary music," even with instrumental music many times.

Preaching and teaching is dull, so we bring in "drama." All of this is very pleasing to the carnal mind and entertaining. Before long each act is being applauded and often singing is accompanied with rhythmic hand-clapping. The "change agents" who are initiating such changes are not satisfied with the church as it has been through the ages.” (THE CONFORMED CHURCH OF CHRIST?, Richard Guill, Seek the Old Paths)

Pentecostalism and emotionalism has made great inroads in some churches.

Years ago I heard Harold Comer talk about the things done at “youth rallies” at a college in Florence.

Now some are claiming to have “spiritual gifts!”

“Sitting under the tent at the Red River, New Mexico, Family Encampment June 22-26, 1996, ….. The raucous, hand clapping, joking, laughing, casually-dressed crowds and speakers bore no resemblance to New Testament Christians in demeanor nor doctrine. My reaction was one of profound sadness and righteous anger for what heretics are doing to the body of Christ….”

“… predictable patterns emerged in all of the speeches. 1) The speakers believe in the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. 2) They believe and preach a subjective/experiential religion.”

“…. Full of himself, Shipp made joke after joke while relating a string of personal experiences and saying the Holy Spirit delayed a man's flight in Oklahoma City so Shipp could talk with him. The climax of his clown-act in this three-ring liberal circus was the evening he had the audience "give God a standing ovation."

Like sheep plunging into a canyon after a blind leader, the audience arose and clapped for God -- all except those of us from Arapaho, Oklahoma.” - (Baling Up The Liberals, Jerry C. Brewer - Seek the Old Paths)

Emotions by themselves are not reliable. (Prov 14:12; Jer 10:23;Acts 26:9)

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Acts 26:9 (NKJV)9“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Emotions should be a by-product of faith.

Emotions should be a by-product of faith. Where does faith come from? (Rom 10:17)

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When you stir emotions without faith, where is the foundation upon which to live even when you do not “feel like it?”

Brethren are encouraged to attend denominational conferences that are dynamic and emotional. This is a first step to planting seeds of discontent.

Do you approve of women preachers?

Do you approve of women preachers? Do you approve of instrumental music?

Do you approve of women preachers? Do you approve of instrumental music? Do you stand for the one baptism of

Ephesians 4?

Consider how the “Gulfcoast Getaway” is used to influence students in Auburn, AL.

If I were to give titles to my pictures I would probably call this one "Can You Believe This is a CoC Conference?" During the regular (A Capella) singing, I never saw so many hands lifted up.

My husband and I have been going to a CoC for about 5 years now and I was amazed to see how radical the students, staff and guests were. I come from a VERY free style of worship (vineyard) and it has been very hard for me to conform to the style of CoC….but this weekend gave me hope.

I saw passion, conviction and an outpouring of humility that I never thought i would see at a CoC event. I also sought out some things this weekend that will forever change my life and my mindset on how I live my life. This weekend was incredible and I can’t wait till next year!!!

Humility? Radical? How about holding to the Head? (Col 2:18-19)

NKJ Colossians 2:18-19 - Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Who are we trying to please?

Who are we trying to please? If it is the applause of men, then it will be

the only reward we will receive.

Who are we trying to please? If it is the applause of men, then it will be

the only reward we will receive. Jesus noted that this attitude was common!

(Matt 6:2, 5, 16, 18)

Matthew 6:2 (NKJV)2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:5 (NKJV)5“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:16 (NKJV)16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:18 (NKJV)18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Why are you here? (Illus. A young girl’s piano recital)

Brethren let us humbly bow ourselves before God so that we may clearly see.

There is a revolution going on in the denominational world. n n There is a movement that is centered...

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