Woe is Us

Churches across the land are in a pathetic state, bringing worldliness into their 'worship' services by using theatrics, big screens, worship bands, etc.as a means to 'draw 'em in'. I recently read a story where a church put a tattoo parlor in, what can we say except how tragic? Even in reformed churches that profess Christ, there is little in the way of true biblical worship, Christ is not honored, God is not glorified, and church has become a routine, a ritual...something we 'do' on Sundays to appease God. As Dr. Boice states, 'preoccupation with self is the chief sin of the modern world.' This is true, we cannot wait for the service to end so we can return to our Sunday routine. There is little understanding today of God's attributes, which shows in our worship. Preaching is not deep, convicting or empowered by God because most preachers simply do not preach deep truths or convicting sermons. If it weren't for men like Watson, Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle, and in these days men like MacArthur, Washer, Boice, Lawson, and Begg, I would never have learned the deeper truths of God. I have never been 'fed' in my church life, ever. The Bible is the sole source yes, but, hearing it properly expounded is essential in growth: this is rare in our day. I found this quote from David Wells' book 'God in the Wasteland, the Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams'...

"The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is not inadequate technique, insufficient organization, antiquated music - the fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, His grace too ordinary, His judgment is too benign, His gospel too easy, and His Christ too common."

May the men who profess to be called to preach fall on their faces before a Holy God, tremble at His word, and cry out for His mercy. If they cannot humble themselves before Him, may God remove them from the pulpits and silence the mouths of weak preachers, sensual preachers, and deceivers in sheep's clothing.