Its all about us.

One thing has been heavy on my mind for months now: the American church.

We spend money so that worship sounds good to us.  So that the building is attractive to us.  So that the stage has hip lighting for us. So the seats are comfortable for us.  So that getting coffee is convenient for us. So that the atmosphere is easy for us to settle in to.  So that our church looks good to the world.  When did church become about us? When was it about appealing to the world?  Tell me how a million dollar building, light shows, fancy sound systems, coffee shops, and debt are more glorifying to God than people sitting in a dirt field raising only their voices in praise? If it is not more glorifying, then why do we spend money?  Why does the church insist on pouring into itself, rather then pouring out? Because we live in America? Because God has blessed us? Then for God's sake bless the world instead of spoiling the people in the pews.  For God's sake preach the truth and let men hear it, untainted by aesthetics and entertainment.  If appearance is what draws people on Sunday mornings, then they will want nothing to do with our gospel.  If we need modern music and a full band then we are not worshiping anyway.  If we are counting on exteriors then we are saying the gospel needs a crutch, and the power of God is not sufficient.  

We are only crippling the church by catering to its desires.  How can we equip people for the road ahead, for their calling as a Christ follower, to die to themselves when all we are doing is gratifying their self indulgence. We are only injuring the body.        

It has never been about us. The story of the Bible has never been about God catering to humanity.  It has always been about God redeeming us and restoring us to glory.  The church spends its time and resources pleasing itself.  Pastors spend their words gratifying the congregation.  Members spend their energy only when it is self-beneficial.  I am not denying that for Christians, church is a place to be encouraged and poured into, but not for the purpose of stagnant comfort.  It is for the purpose of being sent out, and equipped to make disciples.

In Acts, the gospel was preached in its purest and untainted form, and it was rejected.  They were in the aftermath of the crucifixion and resurrection.  There had not been thousands of years to "contextualize" and "modernize" the gospel (as if it needed this). Yes, there were instances when thousand of people came to faith, but there were also times when the apostles were ridiculed and persecuted.  Did they change or modify the truth? Never.  They saw Christ with their own eyes; they knew that the gospel any other way, was not the gospel.  They were confident with Paul in saying, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16-17).    

If someone does not accept the gospel in its simplest, most bare form, they won't accept it at all.  The self-adorned, candy coated version most churches have adopted (dripping with apologies, excuses, or even unsaid truths) is not the power of God.  It is the weakness of man.

My heart breaks for Christians in America.  Many of us do not know sacrifice. Many of us work out our salvation in comfort and ease. I pray I would be content with, "The gospel, the whole gospel, and nothing but the gospel."  Because there may come a day when that is all we have.  I pray I will cling to it.