"The Trend"

"But we preach Christ crucified..."  1 Corinthians 1:23a

 

I have seen a trend taking place in the church over the last several years.  It seems as if the church is trying to keep up with the world.  With each new trend that the world develops the church seems to adopt it and bring it into their programs.  Oh, they may clean it up a bit, tweak it a little, throw in something that appears spiritual or repackage it, but it is the same thing.  The excuse I have heard for doing this is-- its a new day, old methods don't work, people want something new and relevant to the times, they don't want the old antiquated teachings of the church.  We have to make it new, improved and exciting and on their level in order to reach them.  We have to get in touch with where they are.

 

People have not changed since the beginning of time.  Yes, our fashions change, our mindsets change, technology changes the way we conduct our affairs, our forms of entertainment change, etc. but mankind has not changed.  We are still, in 2018, born sinners just like we have been for thousands of years.  We are still in need of a Savior.  We still have the need to be loved.  We still have problems that need to be solved.  We still bleed red when we are cut like we always have.  We still grieve at a loss, feel pain when we are hurt, have an evil heart, face fear and confusion.  We are still on a quest to find truth.  We have not changed inside, only the outside has changed.

 

When we bring the world trends into the church in order to win the world, all we are doing is reaching their flesh.  We are appealing to their flesh, but not reaching their hearts, souls and spirits.  We are in reality not reaching them at the point of their true need.  If we really want to reach them, we must not use "new and improved" methods taken from the world that cater to the flesh.  We must do the same thing that Jesus did.  What did He do?  He gave the people a revelation of Who the Heavenly Father is.  He gave them a revelation of the Kingdom.  He gave them a revelation of the power of God, the love of God, the grace and mercy of God.  He showed them the Father and that revelation met the need of their hearts. 

 

Giving people a revelation of Jesus, His power, His love and His saving grace is what people need.  They don't need the fancy lights, the hip-hop music, the meticulously orchestrated events, the fog machines, the coffee bars or tweaked trends of the world.  They need a revelation of Jesus.  That was all the early church had and they turned their world upside right.  We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the same.

 

Have a great day.  People are still the same as they have always been-- sinners in need of a Savior.