Consumers

by Steve Peeler

“The customer is always right” is a business motto we have all heard. We, as consumers, have become more powerful with the popularity of social media. Long ago, a business did not have to worry as much about a disgruntled customer. Who were they going to tell? Now, Fortune 500 companies have been forced to make big changes in their business models because of what customers posted with their phones. The power of the consumer has grown to drive change in a profound way.

How has consumerism affected religion? In one way, families are “shopping” for a congregation. They want the one that fits their needs. Theology, how a group teaches, or if they even teach the truth has become less important to the perceived needs of the family unit. Instead of searching for truth, they are looking for what they can get out of it. Congregations are picking up on this and are marketing themselves to shoppers.

The preaching gets softer and the lines in the sand get replaced with broad ideas of acceptance in the name of God’s grace. They feel that the consumer is always right, and God, well, He understands. When it is brought down to its most basic element, consumer Christianity is nothing new. It is just packaged differently.

The Bible talks about it this way: “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Rom. 16:17-18).

Paul also wrote, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things” (Phil. 3:17-19).

Those who follow their appetite rather than the pattern are consumers.

· If I make worship about what I get out of it instead of what I am

offering to God, I am a consumer.

· If I make my service to Him about who sees me doing it instead of genuine service, I am a consumer.

· If the church must serve me and my needs instead of me looking out for others, I am a consumer.

The cry of the consumer in judgment will be, “Didn’t we do great things and didn’t we glorify You Lord!” He will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me.”

“Help My Unbelief”

by Jeff Curtis

Many in the Bible struggled in their walk with God. We might identify with some of them. Elijah became discouraged (1Kings 19:10). Jeremiah wept (Jer. 9:1; 13:17). Peter often spoke of before he thought (Luke 9:33). We can share in the plea of the father who said to Jesus, “I…believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). When the man asked the Lord to heal his son, Jesus replied, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). That’s when the man cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief”

Not topic is more relatable to the Christian than faith – and no need is more crucial than the strengthening of our faith. Paul wrote in Romans 1:16-17; “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

The NIV has “a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” The NCV says that God’s righteousness “begins and ends with faith.”

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6a). “By grace” we are “saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8). We walk the Christian pathway “by faith, not by sight” (2Cor. 5:7). Faith is the shield that protects us from the devil (Eph. 6:16). Faith “is the victory that has overcome the world (1John 5:4). The ultimate “outcome” of faith will be “the salvation” of our souls (1Peter 1:9).

As we consider the importance of faith, we, too, may be tempted to cry, “We believe; help our unbelief!” In our study concerning the man who made first made the request, we want to learn how our faith can be strengthened.

Be Positive About Your Evangelism

by Greg Gwin

When it comes to sharing the gospel with others, many Christians are like the fella who attended a seminar on ‘The Power of Positive Thinking.’ He told his friend as they were leaving the meeting: “I’m going to try it, but I don't think it will do any good!”

Too many Christians fail to do their duty to God, not because they have been discouraged by previous bad experiences, but because they don't think their efforts will do any good. For these folks we would offer these two simple suggestions:

1) You may truly be surprised at the results that are possible if you would just try to share the truth with some other person. The New Testament is full of examples of people who were converted to Christ who would not have been considered as likely prospects. The 3,000 believers on Pentecost included folks who had cried out for Jesus’ death. Simon (Acts 8) was a religious false teacher, yet he obeyed the gospel. The apostle Paul had been a rabid persecutor against the church, yet he was converted. You say that your efforts won’t do any good? You just might be surprised if you’d try.

2) Always remember that our labors are not measured by the harvest gathered, but rather by the seed sown. Note in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-15) that the sower sowed the seed in places where it was likely to grow, and also in places where it likely wouldn’t - he simply sowed the seed. That’s our job, too. “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11).

Think positively Christian! You can share the good news with others!!

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