Church needs to preach a more powerful word?

Question

It's been put in my heart to address the issue of god's mercy and his judgement. I feel like as christians today, many expect god to bless their own ambitions, and fail to honeslty seek after him to really* know who god is. But i honeslty believe that churches need to not adapt to the 21st generation, as in this big megaplex churches that preach an inspirational doctrine without conviction, yes they may reach some people who may have never known god and i'm not to judge, but* I do believe you have to enforce the point that god will judge, and we as christians have to actaully love god/therefore wanting to follow his laws and thus being rewarded with eternity in heaven. I just think alot of christians today dont know who he is, and i say this because i'd say 85 percent of my christian friends..mix the oc/rap music and other sinful things with saying they are christian, and those 2 hearts do not align..

anyone agree with me on this aspect?

great responses, i can understand what thing one is saying, but i also defned it with what singing praises eluded to.."We also lose many people over to the enemy because they end up staying in bondage to the sins of the world and see no difference between those that are saved and the world"

But i think the prince hits it most too, the fire/brimstone, heart of the scriptures message.

Im just trying to point this out because i went to baylor university "baptist" sure, and great kids..but i'd say more than half probably 3/4ths of the kids blasted tupac out their cars, and drank it up like every other youth which tells me further proof that the message in church isin't really changing their hearts, and it takes a deep reading of the word to sustain yourself against this world

Answer 1

Bitter Poison
Ephesians 4:31-32
Picture a miserable, depressed, emotionally broken person hunched over a chemistry set. His eyes are narrow. His lips are pursed. His fingers are methodically adding just a pinch of this and a dash of that to the acrid green fluid in the test tube before him. His thoughts are a hodgepodge of dated images, his heart a stale mosaic of hatred for a grievance long past. He is thinking of the one who hurt him, and he is concocting a poison for the offender.
It sounds like an excerpt from an old movie serial, doesn’t it? However, here is where the scene changes direction. Envision that same pathetic scientist breathing a sigh of relief as he straightens up, marveling at the liquid vengeance he has created. Now, finally, imagine that poor soul saying, “This will show him,” as he turns the test tube bottoms-up and drinks the poison himself.
That’s a surprising twist — one that we would not expect in a movie. Yet, there is a good chance your friend has done this very thing at one time or another, or is doing it now.
Bitterness is a toxin that we prepare for someone else, but then drink ourselves. It is a concentrated dose of emotional poison, often one that we carefully nurture and grow over the course of years. When we react to someone’s wrongdoing by withdrawing and giving free reign to daydreams of retribution and ill will, we are slowly poisoning our own hearts and minds.

Ask God to reveal any signs of poison in your system. Then, give yourself a dose of the antidote — forgiveness.
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Answer 2

Yes I agree, too many of today's churches are into the feel good preaching as they do not want to offend anyone rather than getting to the meat of the scriptures. You are right about allot of the so called Christian music too, give me the old songs, those are the ones that touch the heart. Allot of churches are also into the health and wealth theory too, it is really sad. People in some of the liberal churches of today wouldn't know what to do if they heard some of the old timers that have long passed preach today, and there would be allot more souls saved if they did hear some of that old time preaching and were convicted a little more than they are in most sermons today.

Answer 3

Kinda. Many churches have gotten away from the fire and brimstone sermons. Most churches, especially on TV are preaching the "Kingdom Message" which is good also. The "Kingdom Message" is not as pointed, but in teaching Christians that God does not want them to fear anything, be sick, broke (sorry to disappoint you Mephistopheles), or lacking in anyway on earth now; preachers are emphasizing things like trusting in God, studying the bible more, and the necessity of obeying God. So Christians are learning things they need to know. Recently, I have seen a few of the mega churches delivering sermons about the end times on TV. So maybe, the tide is changing.

Answer 4

Great to here such a strong believer. I too have been to the large church and small ones. I have noticed that large churches don’t know their people and their needs like they should. People go to the big churches to show a type of front in some cases, but that is between them and god. I have also been in small churches where they get to nosey and that isn't good either. But small churches also have closeness with each other like a strong family unit. Music wise, for me if the message is over powered by the music, how could you hear the words. I barely understand current Christian rap. I listen to contemporary and some pop style (mercy me, third day, crystal Lewis, Kirk Franklin, out of Eden, superchick.) if you know KLOVE you know what i am talking about. If not klove.com is where to check it out and if it airs in your area. I also like old christian music Keith green, ray bolz, mylon lefeavor, early works of dctalk (rap I understand) I am from a generation where break dancing was the in thing, where even rap of those days were clean and able to understand. Today’s rap totally confusing. Many large churches also talk more about what you should buy from their ministry and less on the message. I love the daystar channel, mostly the Christian movies (late night TBN) and some of the small discussions like the way talk show hosts do. (Joni on daystar) we need to be cautious about the works of the flesh mixed with Christian music of today. Yes I dance to the Christian music, but I dance in a clean fashion, even in the bible dancing was allowed. good luck with your quest, god bless

Answer 5

2 Corinthians 7 says: Since we have these promises (referring to the promises made by God in the previous chapter when he told us to be separate from unclean things), dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

We are told to be separate from the world and not let the world influence us and, we are told that throughout scripture. We need to live by God's Holy Word just as much now as when it was written. God does not change.

I think the watered down gospel that is being delivered from the pulpits of so many churches not only does a disservice to the church, it keeps the power of God bound and we end up having a form of godliness while denying the power therein. We also lose many people over to the enemy because they end up staying in bondage to the sins of the world and see no difference between those that are saved and the world. Sad, sad!!

Answer 6

First...I am not Christian...but I am well aware of Christianity (and feel the urge to insert the STAPLE line of...I grew up Catholic). I do agree with you that these churches that pop up and have all the bells and whistles tend to miss the point a bit. Church isn't about entertainment...it is a spiritual experience. HOWEVER...they are "marketing" to a group of people who may be turned away by the presentation of religion in a boring manner. Most individuals "lose their religion" because they don't see its practical usage (which is ENTIRELY missing the point of what religion is about) and they need to "jazz" it up to make it more practical and exciting.

BUT...you need to understand that the way YOU choose to incorporate religion into your life doesn't mean it is better or worse or right or wrong than someone else's way. If you feel that listening to certain types of music doesn't align with your view of the christian doctrine...worry about what YOU want to listen to and worry about YOUR "place in heaven" or whatever. Let them deal with their own lives...don't judge them for it. Maybe they have taken the same view of religion as you, have faith and are good people...they just happen to like that type of music. I don't know what type of Christian you are...but I truly don't believe that you are the person that needs to judge them.

I'm afraid that as you continue on in your respective religious organization you will find MUCH hypocrisy (actually a whole LOT of it)...but as long as you are doing what you believe to be what your religion is teaching you...then do it and don't worry about others.

Answer 7

Yes, I agree that the church needs to have a harder message. We need to preach to ourselves first before we can preach anything to this world, and we have lost sight of that. The church needs to get a backbone and preach and teach conviction, the old "Fire and Brimstone" messages. Our God is a good God, but we have made into "Grandpa Walton" or "Mr. Rogers" and he is not that by a long shot. This is the doctrine that nobody wants to hear, but it needs to be said.

Answer 8

Christ preached to sinners, not to religious people. So churches should be talking more about sin with regards to core beliefs, which is not to be be confused with Mephistopheles' warped likeness of fundamental Christians to legalistic Jews.

When he lived as a human Christ set an example for us to live a pure life, but not a needlessly legalistic life. Being described in the Bible as the salt (symbolic of purity) of the Earth, Christians are supposed to exercise purity with regards to their various life choices. Such choices do include musical preferences.

Although Islamic doctrine is clearly stated to be intolerant of any other religion, Christians, particularly those in America, are expected to show religious tolerance.

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It is mideastern Muslims who are targeting Israeli civilians with missiles. It is mideastern Muslims who are lopping off the heads of innocent people that they perceive to be their enemies. They should not be regarded as patriotic underdogs, but rather as murderers. Here again Mephistopheles has convoluted another issue.

Answer 9

Neither God nor Jesus was about Murdering your enemies, getting rich and living in luxury and judging all who don't share your view as evil. If Jesus were here today many Christians would be in the same position as the Pharisees. Heaven would not be on the agenda for them.

Answer 10

browningny,
I think that you have part of that right.

This part:
"many expect god to bless their own ambitions"
I find that rampantly taught with these, " Make yourself better for God" type Bible Studies. As if God needed any help.

People try to hold on to themselves too much. They do it by focusing on themselves on everything.

As far as the big "Megaplex" churches:
They seem to serve the 'family oriented' Christians and the new Christians. It's better than nothing, and many people feel better and entertained with the really big places.

What we need to do is keep a tab on ourselves to make sure we don't get too prideful with our own walk.