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The Outlandish

“Just wondering what scripture you would present that would clearly establish that rock concert worship settings and coffee shop sales are “outlandish”? I am guessing that by “outlandish” you mean a violation of the intent of the apostles of Christ…………right?”

Good question. I pray that all is well with you.

   In Acts 2:42 they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings as Christ had commanded (Matt. 28:20). John 20:30-31 lets us know the Gospels are written so that we may believe in Christ and be saved by immersion into Him. We also see that not everything is in the gospels (John 21:25). But they are written so that we may know for certain what we have been taught (Luke 1:1-4). Everything we need that pertains to life and godliness is in His word (2 Pet. 1:2-4). All scripture is God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When it comes to what is acceptable and unacceptable in worship to God we must search the scriptures.


So does that type of setting, the “rock concert worship,” please God according to the Word? It can’t if it violates Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19 and James 5:13. Not to mention if it’s not what God is asking for, then who is it pleasing? Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19 and James 5:13 excludes anything but singing. 1 Cor. 14:40 makes it clear that all things are to be in order and decency. We must do everything in the name of the Lord and give thanks to God the father through Him (Col. 3:17).  The only way that worship can be done in this manner is by adhering to the word. Although we may be able to make some semblance of order by our standard, does it meet God’s?


The only way we know what God considers to be orderly and decent is in His word. Matt. 28:18-20 lets us know that all those who deny themselves, pick up their cross daily, and follow Him are immersed into Christ and observe all His commands (Luke 9:23). His commands are in His word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). These commands include what God considers pleasing, orderly, and decent worship. John 4:23-24 we are to worship God in spirit and in truth.


 We are not to be peddlers of the word (2 Cor. 2:17). Nor are we to walk in craftiness or deceitfully handling the word (2 Cor. 4:2). Coffee is not a bad thing but is that why we come to church? What’s the point in selling it if we are to give (1 Cor. 16:1-4)? Therefore there must be some alternate motive to selling Starbucks coffee in the foyer before worship. This can not be pleasing to God. God has set a pattern in His word that we are to adhere to. He says that is what is pleasing to Him. When we meet we are to sing (Col. 3:16; Eph 5:19, James 5:13), pray (1 Thess. 5:17), teach (Acts 20:7), take communion (1 Cor. 11:23-29; Matt. 26:26-30), and give (1 Cor. 16:1-2).  The group of Christian’s in Acts 11:26 met for a year.  How often and when? Well Acts 2 happened on the first day of the week. In Acts 20:7 they meet on the first day of the week. In 1 Cor. 16:2 they gave on the first day of the week when they gathered.  We see a pattern of meeting on the first day of the week. That group in Acts 11:26 would have meet in the first day of the week.  If we do it differently who are we trying to please?


When we seek to please man, we fail. If we seek to entice them with things that man considers pleasing to themselves then we are being crafty and deceitful in handling the word. If we are placing things where we meet to make money then we are peddling the word for our profit.  At this point the concept of assembling to worship God on the first day of the week is long gone (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:23-25).  We are no longer coming together to worship in spirit and in truth.


            That is what I would offer for such things to be considered outlandish. They simply don’t meet God’s commands for what is pleasing to Him. The apostles only taught what they had been commanded (Acts 2:42; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:21-22). If it violates what they taught then it violates what Christ commanded (Matt.28:20). He only accepts what He commands. He has always been this way (Lev. 10:1-3). We are to be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). That means we must compete according to the rules to receive the crown (2 Tim. 2:5). Christ learned obedience through what He suffered even though He was the Son of God (Heb. 5:8). He did this so that He would be the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).


That goes for every portion of worship or the Christian life. We can’t simply violate scripture and say we are good. 1 John 2:5-6 if we say that we abide in Him we must walk as He walked. Christ was a humble obedient servant even though He was the Son of God (Heb. 5:8-9; Phil. 2:5-11). Our faith must have works that are in accordance with His word (James 1:22; 2:14-26). We must observe His commands. We must obey as He did. We are not there on Sunday or any time the assembly meets to make money off the things we entice the outside world with nor are we there to do things that please to us (Gal. 1:6-10; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Rm. 12:2; 2 Tim. 4:3).


Are you going to worship for you or God?

Are you seeking to be pleased and becoming disgruntled when you’re not?

Are you seeking to hear and learn only what you want or the whole counsel of God?

What are doing in name of worship that does not please God?  

What needs to change?
* Stay tuned in for a study on instruments and clapping * 

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