In Part One of this devotion we recognized that recent events surrounding the death and legacy of Michael Jackson gave us a glimpse of our seeming obsession with entertainment in this nation.

One of the observations we made is that many Americans worship those who entertain them.  While “worship” may seem a strong word, it is hard to deny the blatant adulation and willing sacrifice of money, time, and attention given to entertainment icons in our culture.

Many Americans Scorn Those Who Lead Them to Real Worship

The other side of this coin is the reality that many Americans also reject those who call them to true worship.  This is not to say that modern-day believers reject the feelings of contemporary songs or the influence of well-known Christian concert artists.  This part of our modern-day version of Christianity is “entertaining” and enjoyable.

What 21^st century religious folks don’t like is the legitimate and Spirit-filled voices that call them to repent of their idols and bow in absolute surrender and sacrifice before the claims and Lordship of Christ alone.  This produces discomfort, and the crowds soon gravitate to an easier, more entertaining feeding source in our land of many spiritual options.

The Apostle Paul’s words offer relevant commentary: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (myths or entertaining stories)”  (2 Timothy 4:2-4 – NIV).

Our response should be that of Paul’s next verse: "But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.  Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.  Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you” (2 Timothy 4:5 – NLT).

Many Christians Have Confused Worship With Entertainment

Our inundation with entertainment and our incorporation thereof into the very fabric of our lives produces a third danger.  Again, Tozer says it so very boldly:

“For centuries the church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was – a device for wasting time, a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience, a scheme to divert attention from moral accountability.  For this, she got herself abused roundly by the sons of this world. But of late she has become tired of the abuse and has given over the struggle.  She appears to have decided that if she cannot conquer the great god Entertainment she may as well join forces with him and make what use she can of his powers.  So today we have the astonishing spectacle of millions of dollars being poured in the unholy job of providing earthly entertainment for the so-called sons of heaven.  Religious entertainment is in many places rapidly crowding out the serious things of God.  Many churches these days have become little more than poor theatres where fifth-rate ‘producers’ peddle their shoddy wares with the full approval of evangelical leaders who can even quote a holy text in defense of their delinquency.  And hardly a man dares raise his voice against it."

In so many ways today we see the symptoms of the slow creep of entertainment into the fabric of our “worship.”  In many Sunday services it seems we are more eager to give a standing ovation in response to human talent than we are to do a face plant in response to the presence of God.  Our love for the thrill of visual stimulation seems to outweigh our hunger for the truth of solid teaching.  We can tend to get more excited about the personality of an amusing speaker than the challenge brought to our hearts by the clear, uncompromising teaching of God’s Word.

In Philippians 3, Paul spoke about those who polluted real Christian faith with a reliance on anything else.  In his time, it was circumcision.  Could entertainment be one of those things in our day?  In Paul’s day some proclaimed, “Sure, believe in Jesus – just be circumcised.” Today, our cry could be, “Yes, embrace Jesus – but keep it entertaining.”    In the face of this challenge, Paul wrote, “For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

Today we need a revival of understanding about what it means to worship God in the Spirit, with or without any of the trappings of entertaining stimulation.  We need a resurgence of joy that is found in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, not in the widgets of current worship trends.  We need a resolve to place no confidence in the things of the flesh or the things designed for the flesh.  Our great need is an authentic trust in, and passion for, the truth and presence of Jesus Christ as the singular centerpiece of our worship – and the source of all our satisfaction.

Having said all of this, I am very encouraged by what I see in so many places around our nation as pastors and churches are recognizing the failure of an entertainment-oriented approach to truly transform lives.  I see a growing desire among church leaders for a fresh focus on the power of genuine worship and a prayerful passion for the transforming presence of Christ experienced in prayer.  Even though the idols of entertainment loom large in our culture, the greater power of pure and passionate worship is gripping the hearts of a growing army of gospel-oriented souls, who refuse to bow before any other gods.  This is the “renewal army” that will lead the way to a fresh spiritual awakening.  By God’s grace, I want to be part of that company.