The
following montage is a pretty good picture of many of the
people I've met at church. Take a look at it and see if there
is anybody you might have met.
Maybe, in a strange sort of way, it's actually a
picture of you and me. Or maybe it's how the Lord see us in
church each Sunday... making funny faces, playing to the
crowd, not concerned about Him, just having a good time.
The following is an article from the late Keith Green. It
probably applies to those who Love Jesus and Hate Church today
as much as it did some 25 years ago when Keith first wrote it.
Read and pray that God will move on your heart and give
you a burning desire for Him - and for Him alone!
So You Wanna Be A Rock Star
by Keith Green
Today, so
many people ask me if I can tell them how they can start or
enter into a music ministry. At concerts I get countless
questions about this, and I also get lots of letters and even
some long-distance phone calls from many people who feel they
are only "called" into the music "ministry" One day I began to
ask myself why so few have ever asked me how to become a
missionary, or even a local street preacher, or how to
disciple a new believer. It seems everyone would prefer the
"bright lights" of what they think a music ministry would be,
rather than the mud and obscurity of the mission field, or the
streets of the ghetto, or even the true spiritual sweetness of
just being a nobody whom the Lord uses mightily in small
"everyday" ways.
Are You Willing?
My answer to their question is almost always the same.
"Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to
be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything
for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and
let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may
seem to notice at all?" They all seem to answer each of these
questions with a quick "yes!" But I really doubt if they know
what their answer entails.
Star Struck
My dearest family in Jesus...why are we so star struck?
Why do we idolize Christian singers and speakers? We go from
glorifying musicians in the world, to glorifying Christian
musicians. It's all idolatry! Can't you see that? It's true
that there are many men and women of God who are greatly
anointed to call down the Spirit of God on His people and the
unsaved. But Satan is getting a great victory as we seem to
worship these ministers on tapes and records, and clamor to
get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast
to coast.
Can't you see that you are hurting these ministers?
They try desperately to tell you that they don't deserve to be
praised, and because of this you squeal with delight and
praise them all the more. You're smothering them, making it
almost impossible for them to see that it's really Jesus. They
keep telling themselves that, but you keep telling them it's
really them, crushing their humility and grieving the Spirit
that is trying to keep their eyes on Jesus.
Ultimately, what we idolize we ourselves desire to
become, sometimes with our whole heart. So a lot of people who
want to become just like their favorite Gospel singer or
minister, seek after it with the same fervor that the Lord
demands we seek after Him! And again, we insult the Spirit of
Grace and try to make a place for ourselves, rather than a
place for Jesus.
A Thankless Job
How come no one idolizes or praises the missionaries
who give up everything and live in poverty, endangering their
lives and families with every danger that the "American dream"
has almost completely eliminated? How come no one lifts up and
exalts the ghetto and prison ministers who can never take up
an offering, because if they did they would either laugh or
cry at what they'd receive?
How come? Because (1) we're taught from very early on that
comfort is our goal and security… and (2) that we should
always seek for a lot of people to like us. Who lives less
comfortably and has had less friends and supporters than the
selfless missionaries who have suffered untimely, premature
deaths trying to conquer souls and nations for the whole glory
of God? Do you really believe we're living in the very last
times? Then why do you spend more money on Gospel records and
concerts than you give to organizations that feed the poor, or
to missionaries out in the field?
There are ministries all over the world where
"penniless" people are being saved and transformed. They are
broken people who have promise and qualities, but just need
someone to bring them God's light during the times when their
lives seem so completely hopeless.
I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and
ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more
importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy
(Romans 11:11) or to sell out more completely to Jesus!
Quit trying to make "gods" out of music ministers, and
quit desiring to become like them. The Lord commands you,
"Deny yourself take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke
9:23). My piano is not my cross, it is my tool. I'd never play
it again if God would show me a more effective tool in my life
for proclaiming His Gospel. [God gives us each our own unique
tools. But we may never use them if we become more interested
in someone else's. Seek God, ask Him for His plan for ministry
(true, God glorifying ministry) in your life.]
Conclusion
To finish, let me say that the only music minister to
whom the Lord will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful
servant," is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are
saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their
life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister's
most important goal!
Let's all repent of the idolatry in our hearts and our
desires for a comfortable, rewarding life when, really, the
Bible tells us we are just passing through as strangers and
pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13), for our reward is in
heaven. Let's not forget that our due service to the Lord is
"... not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His
sake"(Phil. 1:29).
Amen. Let us die graciously together and endure to the
end like brave soldiers who give their lives, without
hesitation, for our noble and glorious King of Light.
Because (1) we're taught from very early on that
comfort is our goal and security… and (2) that we should
always seek for a lot of people to like us. Who lives less
comfortably and has had less friends and supporters than the
selfless missionaries who have suffered untimely, premature
deaths trying to conquer souls and nations for the whole glory
of God? Do you really believe we're living in the very last
times? Then why do you spend more money on Gospel records and
concerts than you give to organizations that feed the poor, or
to missionaries out in the field?
