I wrote the following article for THINK Magazine and it ran in the August addition with the front cover reading; THE CHURCH OF ME…SATAN’S ULTIMATE REST STOP, ON THE HIGHWAY TO HELL.
I hope you will take the time to read this article and consider what Jesus intended for the church He built.
Matthew 16:13-20
Lights, Cameras, Action! No, we’re not on a Hollywood set. We’re in the holly-world of the church of ME! Don’t confuse the glitz and glimmer with godliness. This church is all about the worship of their idol: I, ME, MY, MINE, and MYSELF. Isn’t that what it means to be worldly? It means to be experienced and sophisticated. Don’t confuse this to be someone special. The apostle Paul called these individuals, “Super Apostles” and he wasn’t flattering them because they were all about self; 2 Corinthians 11:1-6, 12:11-15. Another definition for worldly is being concerned with material values or ordinary life rather than a spiritual existence. The apostle Paul and John teach about this and they don’t encourage it.
Romans 8:5-8, 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17.
The entertainment industry teaches a sobering lesson regarding institutions that hunger for fanfare and living lives that are all about ME. They reveal that if the fanfare diminishes and the spotlight is turned off. Those who thrive on it struggle tremendously, causing them to be depressed because of the disappointment and dissatisfaction of losing their praise and recognition.
In my years of being a minister I have experienced many who have chosen the church of ME. I have found them to be very passionate about their emotions and feelings. I have also found that their passion fades quickly when they experience trials and tribulations. This has revealed that their faith was all fluff when it was put to the test. This is the outcome when one lives on a diet of sweet treats and whipped crème, it won’t sustain anyone especially spiritually. This is why Jesus taught the parable on the wise and foolish builder.
Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49.
The church that Jesus came to build isn’t all about emotions and entertainment. It’s not about following charismatic leaders who merely want a following of financial supporters and whose only concern is the god of ME! Jesus warned about these false prophets in Matthew 7:15-20.
Jesus intends for His church to be built upon His word! The Lord’s church is not about everyone recognizing me. It’s not about everything that brings happiness to me. It’s not about all the stuff that satisfies me. The Lord’s church is about knowing the Lord and conforming to His image; 1 Corinthians 11:1.
Jesus came to build His church so everyone could find a place to belong. When we know this, we will understand that the church is all about being one of the Lord’s disciples and doing what we can to help others become one of His disciples as Jesus commissioned in Matthew 28:18-19.
To be one of the Lord’s disciples means that we abide in His word John 8:31-32. Before Jesus returned to His heavenly Father He prayed that all His disciples would be one by following His word; John 17:20-21. The apostle John and the other inspired writers wrote the recorded word so we could believe and become one with the Lord and all the other disciples who faithfully followed Him; John 20:30. The apostle Paul in his writing states that the “Church of the living God,” is to be “A pillar and buttress of the truth”; 1 Timothy 3:15.
Once we discover what it means to be part of the Lord’s church we won’t have any desire to be part of any church that’s all about me. But how can we know about the Lord’s church? Again I would like to remind you of the words written by the apostle Paul. In Romans 10:14-17, he takes us through the process and in the conclusion he states that “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Paul also stresses for us not to be miss-guided. We must “Rightly handle the word of truth”; 2 Timothy 2:14-15. Paul then confirms that the Scriptures that God has breathed out will teach us His truth; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
In summary, how can we avoid the ‘church of ME” and be certain that we are in the Lord’s church?
The answer is recorded in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and the answer is to be part of the church that teaches God’s Word without addition or subtraction.
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 