No pastor knows it all, but most have a far better understanding of the Bible than the average church member. That, of course, is as it ought to be. But we live in a day when just about everybody thinks they are an expert. The other day I was listening to a popular radio talk show when the host went off on a tirade about something related to the Bible. He basically issued a challenge to his listeners warning them that they don’t dare debate him about the Bible because of his great knowledge of it. Based on the foolish things he had said, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I thought about calling to take him up on the debate, but I remembered what Prov. 26:4 says–“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him”. But Mr. Always Right isn’t the only one with this problem. Many actors, athletes, etc. speak as though they are experts on any given subject including the Bible. Their popularity gives them a platform from which to speak and they think just because people listen that they must be experts. The same thing could be said of many singers, musicians, and song writers. Someone writes/sings a popular Christian song and the next thing you know they are acting as though they were a theologian. They assume the position of an authority figure in churches. But it doesn’t end there.
At this point we could go in a lot of different directions, but I want to focus mainly on the subject of worship. Again, I remind you that no pastor knows it all, although a few might think they do, but most have a far better understanding of the Bible than most, and they want to help. Although most pastors welcome questions and open for discussion, and patient with those who differ, it is sometimes very difficult.
One of the things in this regards is a young person who thinks they have it all figured out and aren’t willing to listen to wise counsel. To hear them talk you would think they are indeed theologians, even Hebrew and Greek scholars. In their mind they know it all, or they are following some one who does, and they refuse to listen to anything that conflicts with their beliefs or desires. This is never more apparent than it is when the subject is worship. Their mind is made up and they don’t want to be confused with the facts.
The truth is that some people don’t have a clue as to what constitutes true worship. They know what they like and that’s all that matters to them. Observing what’s going on in many churches and it’s obvious that they want chills without commitment, thrills without truth, emotion without edification, happiness without holiness, excitement without effort, worship without works, attention without adoration, etc. In other words, although they talk about God, it is all about them rather than Him. All they think about is what they get out of it, not what God gets from it. No wonder they’re never satisfied. They fill themselves with a cheap substitute and then wonder why “worship” isn’t more thrilling. In some cases true worship bores them to tears, so they invent something to their own liking— something as close to the world as possible. And you will notice that these folks are always pushing the limits, looking for something new, going to greater extremes, never content.
It isn’t the purpose of this message to debate all the different styles of worship or to convince everyone that my favorite songs should be their favorites. My purpose is to challenge you to base your decisions on the truth rather than personal preference or popularity. Every Christian, regardless of age, should learn all they can about the Bible and follow it as closely as possible. If more did that there would be a lot less debate regarding worship wars, and everything else. Think about it!
