Strange Fire in the Church- Mixing the Secular and Sacred Worship Part 1 For the past few days my heart has been heavy writing this and bringing out this truth. We live in time when rebellion is taking hold of our seeker friendly churches. On one hand we have the Emergent Church that is trying to define a Christianity and Mega churches trying to fill the church with unrepentant sinners that feel at home among the so called Christians. It seems that anything goes today in the postmodern church. Where is the discernment in the church? The House of God is a sacred and holy place and it hurts the Lord to see his children acting just like the heathens. Jeremiah 10:1-2 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. It s becoming highly acceptable to sing secular music in the worship services. Mega-churches are catering to the sounds of un-godly music being sung from the church platforms in order to satisfy the need to entertain Christians and reach out to the world. Some of the churches I found doing this believe that they are doing right by allowing the music of the world to mix with the worship songs of the church. It s no longer taboo but it s a normal thing now to hear a top secular radio song open up a worship service or sung to promote an upcoming series or mixed in the sacred worship. What you are about to see is happening in mega churches which is causing a stir of controversy. You are not hearing much about it because people are afraid to speak the truth. Enduring Faith Ministries is not staying silent on this issue. This video is from North Point Church. North Point Church is pastored by Tommy Sparger and is located in Springfield, Mo. Seeker friendly churches are jumping on the bandwagon and see no harm in it. You tell what you think.
Here is another clip from Pastor Perry Noble's NewSpring Church with has many campuses in SC. laying AC/DC's Satanic Song "Highway to Hell" during Sunday Service: see video clip here Does this edify Jesus or bring glory to Satan? In my research I found other churches doing similar things like opening a set with pop secular artists like Black Eye Peas, Bruno Mars, Adele, and others. There is no doubt we are living in a time of darkness. Liquid Church in New Jersey is doing a Series for the month of February called Pop God. Here is the description from their website. From Adele to Foo Fighters to Bruno Mars, today's music captures the hopes & heartache of a new generation. Join us this February for a musical journey through the book of Hosea... and discover God behind the music! Read Ezekiel 44 to see a picture of what God is saying to those who are defiling and are not able to discern between the holy and profane. Since the church is using the grace of God to do what they will then they have deceived themselves. Combining the sacred and the secular does not mix. How do you call something that is not holy, holy? You can t just put a label on something that is not of God and call it sanctified. That is what preachers and teachers of postmodernism are telling their congregations. We have to embrace the world s ideology and their ideas to win them. It s amazing how far the church has gone away from God to think that he is honoring their rebellion. How did it get to this point? What has gone wrong? The
bible says it the last day just before the revealing of the antichrist that there would be a falling away. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come A FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 A big problem is that the leaders of the church have embraced this is a new way to reach the lost. They believe that a reformation is taking place to change the culture of church. The cry of the postmodern church is everything must be relevant. We must embrace the world to win them to Christ. We have to bring in pop culture in to the sanctuary so they won t be turned off by religion. So we need to embrace the sounds of the world so we can win souls. How ridiculous that may sound that is actually what is happening. For too long the church has been copying the sounds of the popular secular music. You would be surprised at same of the musicians and singers who are get their inspiration from secular music. No wonder the church is going astray and doesn t know that they are playing with strange fire in the church. In November of 2009, God revealed to me the importance of praise and worship in the church. It turned into a four part series called Music in the Bible - The Power of Music. I will be posting this to our website so you can be blessed with this powerful teaching. Since then I longed to put into a DVD project about the power of music and the supernatural. There are already several on the topic but none have addressed the issue secular music in the church and why it s important to be set apart. I believe it s needed for our time. So be in prayer about this new project. Here is an excerpt from the script for the DVD coming soon: Music is the most influential forms of art that permeates the entire globe. No matter what language you speak, music has the ability to transcend beyond border and boundaries. It has the power to bring change and the power to
destroy. It s a major driven force for expression and voicing ones opinion. Today s generation lives for its music. It influences the way they communicate, dress, and react emotionally. It s became the number god in their life. Music was once a creative art where it s beauty in medley and lyrics was celebrated. Today music has become more beat than medley. There is a power force that encompasses the globe and its amplified all around us. Music is a powerful language that transcends all boundaries. In 2008 something began to stir in my spirit about how people should respond to the presence of God in churches. What was birthed came out of a desire to see God s people enter into his presence through anointed praise and worship. Many had come out ministries that considered music and instruments evil and demonic. They were not allowed to worship, lift up holy hands, dance, or express themselves to God in worship. In this DVD we will address these topics: Secular music- My experience It s the separation that brings the anointing Why you can t do both What is the difference between the holy and profane Can you compromise the sound Where is the originality of Christian music? Copycatting for fame and success What does the bible say about music Should we be influenced by worldly music? Why is the church death to the sounds of Heaven? What are the sounds of heaven? Musicians and Singers- it s not about talent but the anointing Lyrics or true passion Why does Christian music have the same sound as the world Can you be inspired to hear new songs without copying another secular artist Music Artists are preaching their message
Secular artists are the new prophets of postmodernism Why Christian musicians are leaving the church seeking after fame Does the bible talk about music And so much more I will be collaborating with other men of God who are also passionate about this. I truly believe that God is going to be sending this ministry to speak the truth about this deception. When the church sees that power of God is revealed through Holy anointed worship then they will see the supernatural take place in the gatherings. It s not just about entertaining ourselves but giving honor and glory to the King of Kings. For over a decade I was involved in the secular music. Our family recorded two Teĵano albums that received airplay around the US. But God had other plans. When I completely gave it up I had to leave it behind completely. But still I couldn t leave it the music completely behind because I made a living doing it. So for a time I still went to church and played the clubs on the weekends. Then finally God shut the doors on it completely. You can t have both. Too many churches hire musicians and singers that also perform in clubs, bars, and secular venues and see no problem with it. And we wonder why the power of God is not present. God is not honored by this and he will have to bring judgment to the church. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:7 Music is not only a reflection of a culture, but it is a major force in shaping culture. There is a tremendous power in music. Music can have a highly edifying effect on people by celebrating the beauty of God s creation, the majesty of Almighty God, our Creator and eternal Judge, inspiring and uplifting its listeners. Or it can be used in the wrong way. May the Lord show His mercy on those who are defaming His Name especially in the house of God and those who know better. Join me as we pray for these churches, ministers, and musicians that the plan of the enemy will be exposed and destroyed. We will continue or topic in our next post. I would like to hear from you and how EF Ministries is blessing your life. To be continued