The Real American Idol
The Real American Idol
Do you know the National Religion of America is not Christianity, but it is the Worship of Me? Say the word, “ME”. The words such as I, my, mine, myself and me are the key words in this religion of the worship of self.
I think the following scriptures illustrate the reason why most people never really do the will of God or do anything of substance for God.
“And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” Matt 8:21
“And another also said,
Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first
go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
Luke 9:61
There are literally multitudes of scriptures that further illustrate this inclination of those who would worship God more fully if not for the reason they have erected an Idol much like Nebuchadnezzar. A graven idol god in their own image and their own, “Likes-ness” and everything in their worship to God revolves around their preferences and self esteem.
The American Idol is a Mirror. The uninhibited worship of Me. You see it everywhere. This worship does not stop at the church house door. It does not stop at the padded pew or the pulpit; it does not stop at the choir loft. It usually does stop at the janitor’s closet. It usually does stop at the yard equipment shack. Of course, churches usually have to hire this done, because everything is about convenience and preference and who is going to volunteer to do something that they could get paid for?
I am not advocating someone being anyone’s slave, but a mindset of service. The only kind of service that we in America like is called, “Self Service”.
Paul writing to the Church of Philippi introduces Timothy with these words, he was comparing him to others, and what he said of the ministry of that day is surprising to consider.
“For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” Philippians 2:20-21
The great tragedy in the “business’ of religion is often people and even ministry view the Church as personal property and operate with an attitude that it literally belongs to them. They may think that the Pastor is their property, so they don’t respect him. They may view the parishioners as their personal property so they don’t consider what is best for them. So often the operation of what happens in the name of Christ has less to do with Him and more to do with the worship of a man's ego.
I know, you know who I am talking about. Me. Say it out loud, “He is talking about Me.”
I am talking about Me!
Do you know really and truly God does not care what you think or prefer? God is not running for President. God is not taking surveys or polls to see what he needs to do to be a better God or get reelected. Often people view church and Christianity as a democracy, when it is anything but a democracy. The Worship of God means he calls the shots and our duty is to obey his commands, desires and will. Of course that is an unpopular concept. So we ministers have wrapped up religion in a nice reflective wrapping with a pretty little bow on it and have promised people, We will do what you want us to do. God will give you what you want. Want a New Car? Done. Want a New Job? Done. Want to feel safe and secure though you live like the devil? Done again.
While Church numbers grow, they do not truly reflect a more powerful church, but often reflect an agenda to help people feel good about themselves without calling them to surrendering their little lives on an Altar.
It reminds me of the First Mega Church I saw when I lived in Dallas. It was called Church on the Rock. What reminds me of this is it was a Big Building built with bright reflective Glass. It was a great Big Mirror.
I am not talking about
denominations. Say it with me, “He is talking about ME!”
Meacostals MEptist Meotholics MeeeThodist
Church of Me Church of lord Me and other Late Saints
All of this flies in the face of what Jesus taught and demanded of his disciples.
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25
You must quit trying to find reasons why you need to be you and figure out what God wants you to be. God did not call you or bless you so you can further pamper and prefer yourself. God called you and blessed you so that you can follow his example and serve others. Say it out loud, “Others!” Our devotion and dedication to God is reflected in our relationships and service to others.
If your not serving others, there is a good chance the only person your serving is yourself.
Sometimes even ministry is wrapped up as simply a prop or stage for others to appreciate you. If we are not careful our prayer, fasting and giving is all just a ploy for others to think as highly of us as we do ourselves. When you do it in front of men, you get the credit and blessing from them.
Think of this deeply. If the man who was the messiah, who knew no sin, had to fast and pray to fulfill ministry, who are we kidding to think that we can have what He wants without denial of our appetites, preferences and agendas? To fulfill the will of God, Jesus had to say, “Not my will.” If Jesus had to gird himself with a towel and wash the feet of those who would desert him, deny him and even betray him, who really do we think we are when we do nothing but love those who love us?
Jesus
did everything in his flesh experience to deny what flesh wanted. Do you think
flesh wanted to pray? Do you think flesh wanted to fast? Do you think flesh
wanted to be denied or betrayed? Jesus went so far as to empower the very flesh
that would bring his flesh into the place where his flesh did not want to go.
In our modern mindsets of ministry, we really think we can accomplish things with bright lights, smooth music, cute poems, funny jokes and emotional stories. We really do. It is illustrated in the fact that is our emphasis.
Churches have become simply instruments to help people feel good about themselves even they often are doing nothing to truly serve God. If all you do in your service to God can be defined by neat little spaces in times, neat little envelopes, neat little feel good options, beware.
I speak with authority on this subject, because I have been worshipping “ME” myself for a long time. I can see it, because I am as guilty as you are. I don’t say that to minimize the weight of selfishness that you carry, but to let you know this is not just some diatribe against others, but I am letting this message burn a hole in my own little thought life right now.
Of sinners, I am chief.
It is my desire and determination to renew my life of being a disciple. To recommit my life to denial of self and service to others. To seek the good of someone else. Not just my ministry. Not just my vision. Not just my church. Not just my ideas. Not just my opinions.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.”
“Help us God to tear down and grind up the golden idol of self. Help us to consider your will and not just in the framework of what is convenient for us. Help me, to model this, to demonstrate this. Not for others to applaud, but for your Glory!”
Repenting,
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott Phillips
Funny Video Clips that Illustrate this perfectly
http://www.sermonspice.com/cart/?p=catalog&CatalogProducer=65
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/index.cfm?hndl=details&tab=MM&id=42
Luke 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and
I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
The Fall and Rise of Christ
"Not My will, but thine be Done!"
The Rise and Fall of Satan
Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, thou hast said in your heart...
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
God Said, "NO YOU WONT!"