All right, so who would have more experience with megachurches than Jesus? He taught at least 5,000 on one occasion and 4,000 on another. Furthermore, since He is the Head of the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18), He was head over the mega-church in Jerusalem, which numbered over 5,000. So, He spoke to large crowds and was Head over the very first megachurch.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to compare what is going on today with what Jesus did back in the first century? It just so happens that on October 11, 2009, the Orlando Sentinel published a brief article reporting on the Shepherd of the Hills Church in the San Fernando Valley in California. In the very first paragraph it describes the faithful as packing the “sanctuary,” where they were “clapping and swaying for Jesus as a band rocks the hall” (all quotes are from page A8).
Well, look at that. We haven’t even got to the second paragraph, and something is already strange. Anyone who has read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, or the book of Acts would never find a meeting place described as a “sanctuary.” According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, a sanctuary is “a sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque.” The second definition is: “The most holy part of a sacred place” (1148).
If God calls a place holy, then it is. Moses was told to remove his shoes when he went up to the mount because the place he stood was on holy ground. He would not have known that fact if God had not told him. The temple in Jerusalem was regarded as a holy place, and it contained a Most Holy Place, also, where the priest entered in only one day of the year. In the New Testament, however, Jesus did not say the mount upon which He taught was holy. Nor did the apostles describe the places where they met as “sanctuaries.” Such a notion came along decades later.
How interesting that things that were never mentioned in the Bible have come to be adopted by so many who are trying to be followers of Jesus today. If the Bible does not use such terminology, why do we? Certainly things change. Our society today bears little resemblance to what existed in the first century. We still have roads, but they are several lanes wide. We still have transportation, but the mode of travel has become much faster and efficient. Brethren can meet on a mountain or in a civic arena. The locale is not the important thing—or even the type of building, if there is one. But whatever it is, the Word of God never calls the meeting place a “sanctuary.”
Using such a term has given rise to various errors, one of which is that the church building contains a holy place. Where exactly would be the equivalent on a mountainside? When brethren rent a suite in a building, does it suddenly become holy? What if a classroom is available in a school building? Is it profane during the week but holy on Sunday?
People think there is something special about a sanctuary. They imagine that their prayers are more likely to be heard there—that somehow God’s presence is there in a special way. A building is just a building. Saints meet there to worship a holy God. They are not sanctified by bricks, wood, or stone. The worshipers have been made holy by the blood of Christ, which has cleansed their sins (Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Our holiness is tied to Jesus rather than to a place. For this reason the Christian needs to conduct himself properly at all times—not just when he is present in what he thinks is the “sanctuary.” His speech should not contain unholy words just because he is not in a “holy place.” His attitude of humility should follow him when he departs the meeting place. Certainly modest dress should be maintained, which must be difficult “in a land of sun worship” (part of the article title).
Handclapping, Etc.
Does everyone remember Jesus and the apostles scheduling a band to supplement Jesus’ teachings? Just think of the advertising promos for that wild event: Come hear Petra rock the mountain! Jesus did not entertain people and try to pass it off as worship. He taught the truth about God and Himself. He gave people principles to live by, such as the beatitudes. He addressed the problem of worry. He discussed what people’s relationship with God should be, as well as with one another. He taught that few would be saved but that many were going to expect salvation, although it would be denied them (Matt. 7:13-14, 21-27). He did not make inane statements, such as, “It’s faith only.” He stressed the importance of obedience to God.
People were not swaying like they were on a dance floor or doing the wave at a football game. They were not clapping their hands for anything Jesus taught or to serve as a beat if any songs were sung. How silly to think that, when Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” that Peter jumped up, applauding, and saying, “Let’s hear it for the Lord. Yea!” Apparently, our culture is so obsessed with entertainment that some just cannot think of worship without trying to add that kind of flavor to it.
When this writer was a boy of 11 or 12, he was invited to sing in the children’s choir of the Methodist Church, which he did. He asked the director (an elderly woman) if the choir was going to sing any popular songs that year (some suggestions were ready). She said rather succinctly and curtly, “No.” Her voice was filled with disdain, although he did not know what that was at the time. Had she taken the time to explain, she might have said, “Our purpose here is to glorify God (even though incorrectly, because of the organ)—not to entertain.” What would she think today, if she were still alive? The purpose of some “worship” today is to entertain those present—not to glorify God.
When Jesus spoke, His listeners reflected upon His teaching. No one walked away, commenting about how much more lively pagan worship was. Some are so shallow that, if they had been at Mount Carmel in Elijah’s day, they probably would have said, “Now this worship is not boring. Those prophets of Baal—whew! Now they really know how to put on a show. They leap and dance and cut themselves until they bleed. Wow! What a sight!” Not a word about musical programs is said in the Sermon on the Mount or on the Day of Pentecost. If Jesus or the apostles sang a song on the mount, it is not mentioned. Pentecost is also silent on the subject. It was a miracle that brought the Jews to-gether to see what was occurring—not the promise of a musical extravaganza. When Peter finished declaring that Jesus was both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), the people responded to his preaching. No one stood up and said, “That was a fine lesson. C’mon, folks. Give it up for the Lord’s apostle and his great oratorical skills.” Today we ought to pattern ourselves after the New Testament rather than our social customs.
The Emphasis
We read over and over again in the book of Acts of how the church was growing. Did they go door to door to see what kind of church the people wanted and would attend? No. Did they have musical concerts to draw big crowds? No. We read simply: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). The people were drawn to a spiritual emphasis.
The newspaper article states that the Shepherd of the Hills Church, with its “energetic services,” offers “an instructive lesson about the growth of evangelical Christianity in California.” The pages of the New Testament offer better—and more Scriptural—instruction. Since the two approaches clash, which one is correct? To ask the question is to answer it.
California has 193 megachurches (defined as 2,000 or more members); Texas has 191. But what do they believe in? What do they stand for? Do they save anyone’s soul? When was the last time any of them preached what Peter did on the Day of Pentecost? Is worship about praising God or having a good time? After hearing Jesus say that the majority of people will be lost, probably few listeners walked away, saying, “He just uplifts me so much.” More likely, some, after hearing Matt 7:21-27, concluded, “This fellow seems awfully legalistic. He didn’t mention grace even one time in that sermon.”
Was Jesus or Paul ever a “celebrity pastor” like Rick Warren? Hmm. “The megachurches are expanding by adapting to changing times and tastes….” Really? “Many have jettisoned formal rituals, organs and hymns in favor of Christian rock music and overhead projection screens that display lyrics and prayers.” The problem is not that people are using technology; the problem is the emphasis appeals to the physical rather than to the spiritual.
Many critics refer (appropriately) to these groups as practicing “church lite,” but others are praising them for “reaching the unaffiliated or disaffected.” Uh, reaching them with what? Allegedly, these groups have turned “church attendance into a more comfortable, positive experience, bound by fewer rules or obligations than traditional churches.” How appropriate for this society! Few want to make commitments; so let’s form a church that says, “Loosy goosy is cool with us.”
Jesus did teach commitment—to the point where He said to count the cost (Luke 14:26-35). He also taught obedience (Luke 6:46). He did not give His life on the cross for a “be committed when you feel like it” religion. When someone becomes a Christian, it is a serious obligation. God’s promises are uplifting and inspirational, but other truths are sobering. Christians must be willing to examine themselves—to see if they are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5) and evaluate what they have been taught (1 Thess. 5:21-22; Acts 17:11)—concepts which are definitely not megachurchy.
THE RELIGIOUS DREAMERS
Marvin L. Weir
Those of denominational persuasion surely qualify as religious dreamers. They dream that their man-made churches and human creeds will please the Lord. They dream that they can vote to change or ignore doctrinal matters already “settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). They dream that they can ignore part of God’s plan of salvation (baptism for remission of sins) and still be saved. Most denominational folks dream that if one has been saved, he can never sin so as to be lost.
The Bible vividly depicts God’s attitude toward the dreamer whose dreams are in opposition to His will. Jeremiah, a spokesman from God, incurred the wrath of the dreamers of his day. God said to Jeremiah:
I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah. Is not my word like fire? Saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith, Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah (Jer. 23:25-32).
One quickly learns that God is not impressed just because someone has a dream. Within the Lord’s church today, we have kinfolk to those of Jeremiah’s day who are seeking to impress people with their dreams.
Ø They dream about changing and restructuring the Lord’s church.
Ø They dream of uniting with the denominations!
Ø These dreamers dream of receiving God’s grace without having to comply with His laws.
Ø They dream that the church must change to comply with an ever-changing society.
Ø Today’s dreamers’ dream that the Bible is only a love letter—much like a letter a fellow might write to his girlfriend!
Ø They dream of using a chorus instead of congregational singing and dream of instruments of music to accompany the chorus!
Ø These dreamers also dream of women having a leadership role in the church.
Like those of Jeremiah’s day the dreamers scream, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed” (23:25), as if their dreaming constitutes Bible authority.
Brethren, man’s dreams may be exciting and interesting, but they are destitute of authority! Members of the body of Christ would be much better off if preachers and elders gave less attention to their dreams and more attention to the Word of God! Fearlessly and unashamedly proclaiming the precious gospel (Rom. 1:16) will save souls while broadcasting mere dreams will cause folks to forget the true and living God (cf. Jer. 23:27).
People will never profit by listening to the message of religious dreamers. The religious charlatans today both within and without the church devise their own message to “attract” folks and make them “feel good.” But God is still “against them that prophesy lying dreams” and those who cause his people “to err by their lies” (Jer. 23: 32).
Ø One who is a member of the Lord’s church should be able to recognize one who has the Word of God (cf. Jer. 23:28).
Ø One reason a Christian has been commanded to study is so he will know the difference between truth and error (2 Tim. 2:15).
Ø One interested in his soul will “prove the spirits [dreamers], whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
There is a tremendous difference between man’s dreams and theories and God’s precious truths. It is folly
and utter foolishness for one to follow a worldly dreamer into eternal torment. But many have no desire to “endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers (dreamers, emph. MLW) after their own lusts” (2 Tim. 4:3).
May there be an ever-growing number of saints who will gladly step forward and “stand in the gap” for God (Ezek. 22:30). Thus far too many have only dreamed about standing in the gap, and we have already observed that a dreamer’s dream is worthless! May we see the urgent need to stand firm for the cause of Christ and to speak out against religious dreamers!
(Bonham Street Church of Christ, Paris, TX; 8-15-09)
“For I have not shunned to declare to you
the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).