As if the church at the close of the 20th century were not powerless enough, now we're more than halfway through the 1st decade of the 21st century growing weaker by the day. You would think that 2000 years of doing church would have made it purer, more Christ-like, more powerful and effective at spreading the Gospel and advancing the kingdom of God. Some may argue with such a negative assessment and point to modern methodologies that are filling the church buildings by the thousands. Is this really adding to the body of Christ or just inflating the church rolls? Apparently, the true body of Christ has become a remnant sitting on pews in edifices built to glorify man and his ability to worship his god.

    Granted, there are, scattered across our world, whole congregations of believers who realize worship, by definition, is bowing before a Holy God with a sincere desire to please Him. However, many churches today have proven by their worship that they are more concerned with pleasing a lost, ungodly world than pleasing a Holy God. They are worshipping worship rather than worshipping God. Worshipping worship has become the Baal of the 21st century and is the by-product of a powerless church looking for something to give life.

    There are congregations, some quite large but most of them relatively small, less than 100 believers, who have not bowed their knee to Baal and the worship of worship. They are small in the eyes of the world but big from God's perspective. What has kept them from following the way of Cain? Remember, he was confused about worship also. What is it about this remnant, the genuine body of The Lord Jesus Christ, that keeps them focused in spite of the pressure to conform to the modern day standard of doing church? By God's grace they have been faithful to maintain and exemplify His pattern for the Church, which is the Home. Yes, the home is God's model for doing church.

    Just look how things have turned upside down in 2000 years. The 1st century church met in homes, they had all things in common, they were called brother and sister, and Jesus was at the center of everything that took place in the home. Home was Church and Church was Home. They met with the body of Christ in a home that honored  Christ and His commands. They met with likeminded believers with the same goals and vision for their homes. Those 1st century families found refuge, encouragement, strength and comfort in their home, the body of Christ, their church. The 1st century church had purity and power to impact the Godless society around them. The remnant of believers still impact those around them today by holding high the standard of a Christ centered home in spite of the worldly influence of the church.

    Why is it the church of the 21st Century no longer represents Christ in the world? It is because the Church has assumed a different personality. The home is no longer the worship center and training center it once was. The 21st century home has become for the most part, a place to sleep, watch TV and work or play on the computer. Eating is done outside the home on the way to activities that divide the family rather than bring them together. Therefore, families live together under the same roof  but do not know one another. This disintegration of the family has brought about the destruction of the home as God intended it. Modern day church growth methodologies have capitalized on the refugees of these destroyed homes.

    God intends for the church to be a refuge for these who are so needy. However, the church has forsaken its model, the home. Therefore, it is no longer a worship center or training center that exemplifies God's standard. A new model has evolved, one that is conformed more to the ways of the world than to the commands of Christ. This new model of church dismisses the power of Christ to change lives. The church is no longer like-minded in the character of Christ and His standards, but seeks like-mindedness in the "worship of worship" rather than the worship of God. They are united by their worship and not united in Christ. The church's failure to maintain God's example of family and home in its members has produced a weak, powerless 21st century church. It is filled with members who have come to church but have never come to Christ.

    Look how backward this is now. The remnant, who have by God's grace followed His ways and built their homes on His Word, no longer have a place of refuge. They go to so called conservative churches and are mocked for their modesty in dress and Godly standards and Scriptural convictions by which they live. Standing alone is no longer just an exercise of faith when you walk out into the world, it is a way of life for many believers when they walk through the doors of their church. They are challenged by church growth experts to change their narrow minded  attitudes and their puritan family values in order to reach the unchurched of society. Contemporary Music has become the language of the 21st century church and it is used to communicate in their worship. So, if you are going to reach this new generation you must change your music because no one sings those old hymns anymore. When you come to church you must get out of your comfort zone for the sake of the worldly minded seekers who are looking for a friendly place to worship their god. The end result is people gathering with an emphasis on what is pleasing to them rather than what is pleasing to a Holy, Righteous, Sovereign, Immutable God. They become enthralled with worshipping worship.

    It is sad to say that many Pastors have become the catalyst for this change in many of the modern worship centers. They are shepherds who are opening their doors to the wolves of this world rather than protecting the sheep. They are condoning the ungodly lifestyles of this day rather than lifting high the standards of a Godly home, Godly music and modest dress. They are stumbling around looking for new ways to bring more people to church. The result is not really what they want spiritually but they find solace in the numbers they are reaching. Thus the church grows more and more diluted spiritually rather than growing more like Jesus. The church has truly lost its savor in this day. The church institution as a whole has become powerless. Jesus summed it up this way, "If the salt has lost its savor, it is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men." The enemy has sown tares among the wheat. Unless God sends a purifying, sanctifying revival in response to His people, which are called by His name, humbling themselves, and praying, and seeking His face, and turning from their wicked ways, the institution we call the church will become more diluted and weak. The body of Christ, His bride, however, will become purer and more distinctly separate and like Him. Harvest time is almost here. The Mighty God of all creation, The God of Redemption, The God Who Lives Forever, He will separate the wheat from the tares. Praise His Holy Name!