Modern day social club

Soul Harvest Ministries of Minnesota

Soul Harvest : Problems in the Church today : Modern day social club

One day while I was driving home I was meditating on all the verses that show multitudes who think they are saved and according to the Bible will stand in horror on judgment day when all their hope is shattered.

-Titus: They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

-Mark: He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me…

-Matthew: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

-2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Those verses are just a few of many that share the same teaching. Many are being deceived! As I was thinking about this I began to pray about it and ask God why so many are blind to this danger. At this He spoke something to my soul and it was “Many are deceived because today the church has become a glorified social club”. He then began laying out the principles of the true church versus a social club. The bible says to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 2:15) to see if we are of the faith. I pray we will make an honest examination of our condition (myself included). Are we a club member or are we a Christian?
“My sheep hear my voice and follow Me”

1-Edify or Entertain? The churches purpose is to edify us not to entertain us. More than ever I see Christian music, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and other Christian venues on the rise. Why do we see less Holiness, less lasting conversions? Could it be we are too concerned with being entertained than growing? Where the Holy Spirit is present there must be growth, read Acts. Where is the growth?

*Def. Edify: to instruct or improve morally.
*Def. Entertainment: to amuse; interest. Something that entertains us as a show or performance.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are.

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Do we just go to church when it’s something we enjoy or then our friends are going? Would we attend a bible study even if it’s not something “Fun”. Why is it we can pack the church for a dinner, play or concert, yet we struggle to get attendees for bible study, prayer meetings, or outreaches? Is it good to enjoy worship music and friends? Empathically I say YES! But I know so many that attend a certain church because they like the music, or it’s where their friends and relatives attend without any real consideration to whether or not they preach sound biblical truths. Many like certain preachers because they are funny and they wish others would use more humor in their preaching. Humor is fine, but that shouldn’t be the biggest reason why we like him. It better be because he’s speaking truth above all (1 John 3:18). Many would rather listen to a good speaker than a less charismatic speaker even if he was more biblically sound than the charismatic preacher. If I told you where to go to get instructions to receive an inheritance for a million dollars would you avoid that Attorney because he spoke monotone and wasn’t interesting and look for a more entertaining Attorney? No! You would want proper instructions and you wouldn’t care about his delivery, all you would care about is does he know what he’s talking about (1 Tim. 4:16). Yet Heaven is so much more important than worldly gain.

2-Are you a Servant or are you Served? In a social clubs they serve the people. The customer is always right, but as Christians we are to be servants. Space would not allow me to put all the verses that appoint us as servants, be assured the emphasis on this is great.

*Def. Servant: a person employed by another to household duties. A slave, or a person devoted to another or to a cause.

John 12:25-26 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

John 13:13-17 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Does a servant just help out when it fits his or hers schedule? Or when it’s something they don’t mind? No! They would quickly be let go of. Don’t they FIRST take care of their masters business then tend to their own? The bible says to seek FIRST the Kingdom, not to take care of our business first and if we have extra time then get involved in church. Read what happened to the servant that didn’t use his talents. He was cast out with unbelievers to receive his portion. He must be our Lord and Savior, not just our savoir. Washing someone’s feet is one of the most humbling experiences, yet Jesus our Lord did just that. Yet we feel we are too good to work daycare, teach children’s church, or help make a meal at church. It can be different for each one of us, but the lack of volunteers in today’s churches show the fact that we haven’t followed Jesus’ example. Maybe we do think the servant is greater than the Master. Do we always ask what does this do for me, how does this affect me? We should ask what is best for the Kingdom and how can I do my part? Servitude isn’t an option!

3-Feeling better or Being better? In many clubs we go their too feel better. Play a round of golf, exercise, sit in the Jacuzzi, get a message, enjoy others company, ect. We want to leave there feeling better. But in the church we should leave as better Christians. There are many times of course that we will leave church uplifted feeling better. But sometimes we should leave broken (Matt. 21:44), with conviction, sorrowful. The bible is filled with many examples of shed tears, tribulation, and even shame (2 Thes. 3:14) when it’s needed. Do we run from anything that makes us uncomfortable? Or do we want correction and growth? We must guard against emotionalism, faith and feelings are not the same. Do we go to church simply because it makes us feel good, or because it makes us better Christians? God is not concerned about our self esteem. He’s concerned about our souls.

Hebrews 12:5-8 & 11 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

4-Reach out or Hang out? Generally clubs are exclusive, but the church should be going out into the community. The church is where we get equipped to fulfill the great commission then go out into the world. How often do we go out into the community?

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

We are to go out and tell the world about Jesus. This isn’t just for a few, but all. Of course it’s hard and no God doesn’t expect perfection, but do we try? Do we have good works? Some think good works are paying our bills and taking care of our family, but even atheists take care of those who they love (Luke 6:32-35).

5-Reputation or Truth? Clubs want a good name in the community as it is good for business. The church should not be concerned with pleasing man, but pleasing God. We of course don’t run around hoping to upset others, yet if we are truly living according to the bible the natural result will be persecution. Do we hold back in fear of what others might think?

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

Matthew 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

There are so many more verses, but the problem isn’t the word, that’s clear, the root of it is pride and selfishness. Do we shy away from the truth because it might hurt our reputation, or because people may not like us? We could get jailed or lose our job. I say so what, and what a small price to pay for other’s souls. It is the “truth” that shall set them free. We must not be concerned about our reputation!

6-Friends or Family? Often we have friends at our clubs, we share common interest it makes sense that they become our friends. How do we look at others in our church? Do we see them as family? We should. They simply aren’t acquaintance, they truly are our family. We must avoid “clicks”, or stop avoiding other Christians because they don’t fit what we feel is status quo. Would you avoid your Mom or Grandparents because they weren’t cool? Of course not! How do you view other Christians? According to Christ blood is not thicker than water. Meaning His true family are those who are obedient to the Father.

"Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

7-Gossip or Edification? Many clubs are filled with Locker talk. It’s another word for gossip. But not so with Christians, our conversations should be with the purpose of praising God and helping others.

*Def. Gossip: as chatter idly about others.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

Does that mean we only say what others what to hear? Absolutely not, the truth is one of the ultimate expressions of love. Our words must be with edification in mind and must be taken to the individual, not gossip.

8-Pay fees, Give tithes? In a club you pay fees to be a member or to use their facility. Of course in clubs we only pay what we have to pay, often looking for discounts or deals. Usually we pay out of obligation or necessity. Is that how we tithe? Or do we give cheerfully because we love the work of the kingdom and want to be obedient? Are we looking for reasons not to give as much, such as: I volunteer my time, or I can’t afford it? The bible is clear we invest in the things we love. How many times have we said we are too broke to give 10%, yet we still have enough money for our own interest? You say 10%? Read chapter 7 of Hebrews.
Matthew 6:20-21 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

9-Politically correct or Truth based? Social clubs are politically correct. Recently an all men’s Golf course was court ordered to allow women to play there. I’m not saying these changes aren’t good at times, the example I used certainly seems to be a good change. But as the Body of Christ we never change for political correctness. NEVER! The truth must be at the forefront of all we do.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Galatians 2:5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Sadly the bible warns over and over that the end times will be marked by a falling away from the truth. Yet multitudes of churches and Christians are adopting false truths (homosexuality, abortion, ect.) and becoming more politically correct. They believe they are doing some great services to God and the Gospel. All they have become is glorified social clubs. They are not Christ’s. He said “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15), “you will now them by their fruits”, and “My sheep follow me”, these are Christ’s children. We must be TRUTH based, not politically correct based.

10-“Well liked” or “well versed”? To elect leaders in most organizations there is a voting process. Those that receive the most votes, hence most liked get elected. Not so in the body of Christ. Our leaders have very specific qualifications they must meet. Being popular isn’t one of them. They MUST be well versed in God’s word this is not a good suggestion, but it is required! So many leaders in today’s churches are well liked yet ignorant of God’s teachings. Are our leaders well versed?

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Titus 1:5-11 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

This was written right after Paul instructs the qualifications to Bishops and Deacons.

1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

*Definitions taken from Webster dictionary