If you have not heard the term, the “social gospel” modifies the gospel of Christ to try to make it more appealing to man. This is nothing new. The church at Corinth combined social activities with the work of the church, and they were rebuked for it (I Cor. 11:22). Is there anything wrong with Christians being social? Of course not. But when you make it a work of the church, you have erred.

Many religious groups organize “trunk and treat” events for kids. The appeal to both the members of the group and the broader community is obvious – the community enjoys a free event, and the church makes contact with new people. Churches also attempt this by organizing camps and building gyms and recreation halls.

Many people are attracted to fun and frolic. Churches must keep offering these things to keep them though. Moreover, churches must keep making their events bigger and better to compete with the other churches offering fun. Where is the gospel amid all this? This sounds just like what got Israel in trouble. They wanted to be like the other nations and demanded a king (I Sam. 8:5). This did not go over well because they were rejecting God as their true ruler (verse 7).

Some churches do not use social activities to create openings to teach the gospel. They might only use them to get their own members together. If that is the case, these activities are problematically being used to maintain members rather than the gospel (Eph. 4:11-12).

People have always made compromises in the name of “good intentions.” The problem is, good intentions without Biblical support is nothing more than glorified rebellion.  When people start to reason, “What’s the harm?” they have forgotten the most import question, “What does God say?” Whether attracting new members using social activities or only offering them to existing ones, churches are substituting fun for the gospel. May we respect the Lord and what He has said by making sure we have Biblical authority for everything that we do.

Chuck

What pleases God?

There is true joy when we do something for someone and know that they are really going to like it. This is why parents want to be around when they give their child a gift. The same is true when you see soldiers come home early to surprise their loved one – to see their reaction. Knowing that someone is going to be really pleased is what makes it a joy to give to others. Here is a list of things the Bible says will please the Father:

1. Walking by faith (Heb. 11:6).

2. Not being a man-pleaser (Gal. 1:10).

3. Preaching the gospel (I Cor. 21).

4. Having Jesus reconcile man to the Father (Col. 1:19-20).

5. Singing praises to God (Heb. 13:15-16).

6. By obeying our parents (Col. 3:20).

7. Keeping His commandments (I John 3:22).

8. Being in the Spirit rather than in the flesh (Rom. 8:8-9).

9. Having all members in the body of Christ/the church (I Cor. 12:18).

10. The body we gain at the resurrection (I Cor. 15:38).

Again, we should enjoy doing these things because we know they please God the Father. We should not assume that God is pleased because we like something. It is the other way around – we should find joy in things that we know please Him. The question for all of us is this – are we pleasing the Father?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chuck