Are We An "Entertainment" Focused Society?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I listened to a great sermon last night that answers this question.
The minister was Anthony Mangun teaching on John 2:15-17 Love Not The World.

http://www.thepentecostals.org/live.asp

Near the end he says "What is worldly? Anything that puts more emphasis on time than it does eternity is wordly. Anything that makes anything in this life more important than the next life is worldly. Anything making you want to stay down here is worldly"

He defines what the world is as at the beginning of his sermon relating it to the prince of this world trying to keep up from an intimate relationship with God.

Is the church become more entertainment focused? yes.

So a good way of stating "worldly" might be "this world-ly"

Sounds like a good word was shared.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Well I say this...

If someone wants to do that then I say "go 'head on". If it does a good thing it has my support. And whoever has that vision should jump on it.

Me... I would not be the one to do it. I need to be the one that reaches out to the old timers who grumble because life is too fast. I will reach them where they are while someone else reaches the kids where they are.

It takes all of us and all of our visions to reach the whole world... but I think I have aged beyond my usefulness in this category.

Not knocking it... please don't take my post as knocking it in any way... just realizing that I am not the one to put that particular vision to work.

And some youngster full of energy would go equally as crazy trying to talk to folks who think life is moving too fast.

The only time you age beyond your usefulness in this category is when there is 6 feet of dirt above your head!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

TV is an electronic drug.

Yes, but it ain't just TV!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by tbpew

interesting etymology for amusement....

a
the absence of:
muse
to think, ponder or consider
ment
an action or resulting state

are we seeking things that put our minds to rest?

Or keep us occupied?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by CC1

Ron,

No doubt American culture is fascinated with entertainment. I have been blessed that my kids have always been athletic and adventerous and thus more intersested in activities in "real" life than movies and tv. I am more of a couch potato than any of them.

However I have to say that in an amazingly parallel way I have seen the same obsession in old time Pentecost.

Some folks go to church for the supernatural aspects. If they don't see shockamoo (shouting) and a general frenzy then they don't feel like they have had church. Many of these folks are walking by signs and wonders and not faith.

Now I realize there are those who have the right perspective on these things and I am not indicting all of old time Pentecost. I am simply saying I have seen more than my share of this mentality in the church. A lot more concern about the operation of the gifts of the Spirit than the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

CC1 Yes, it isn't all in the shout and spit.
Old time Pentecost that we so fondly remember was not perfect, but could it be they had a consecration to God and his service that seems to be "lacking" in today's Church?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Ron

The only time you age beyond your usefulness in this category is when there is 6 feet of dirt above your head!

I was speaking of the category of doing all the fast paced stuff to try and capture kids attention over the roar of modern society.

If you understood my statement as such before making your post then I receive your admonition.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Some churches no longer need Kleenex, for none of the preach me under the pew preaching is found. Tears missing from the Altar of Conviction and silent Prayer Rooms.

But look at those touchy feely words on that there big screen overhead!

Or if it is preached it is resisted by the Saints?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I was speaking of the category of doing all the fast paced stuff to try and capture kids attention over the roar of modern society.

If you understood my statement as such before making your post then I receive your admonition.

I am sorry D4T. Yes, taking into account my age, I understand the scriptures admonition to remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I listened to a great sermon last night that answers this question.
The minister was Anthony Mangun teaching on John 2:15-17 Love Not The World.

http://www.thepentecostals.org/live.asp

Near the end he says "What is worldly? Anything that puts more emphasis on time than it does eternity is wordly. Anything that makes anything in this life more important than the next life is worldly. Anything making you want to stay down here is worldly"

He defines what the world is as at the beginning of his sermon relating it to the prince of this world trying to keep up from an intimate relationship with God.

Is the church become more entertainment focused? yes.

True.

Have we influenced the world, or has the world influenced us?

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Ron

Or if it is preached it is resisted by the Saints?

Change must begin at the top.