One young man was boasting that he will have the largest youth church in the city. A senior leader asked him: how? He said: “I will have the best music team, an impressive stage, latest audio, video equipment, sound-proof air-conditioned hall, and great singers.” Who will preach? The young man said he will preach for ten minutes. The leader asked: “Have you read the bible at least once?” He was silent as if he was stone deaf. For some, church gathering is a special performance of spiritual entertainment, with world class music in a world class auditorium.
Sadly, they have not read this verse: “It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5) Fools are those who deny the existence of God. (Psalms 14:1) There are others, who do not deny God, but ignore Him in what all they do. Without knowing His attributes, priorities, purpose, will and guidance, they do whatever they like to do. There is a Tamil proverb: “If rice is not in the pot, how could it be fetched in a spoon?” When there is no wisdom in their hearts and minds, how can we expect teaching in their songs? They are not fools, in terms of their belief, but fools in their attitude and deeds. The wise preacher from Jerusalem said that it is foolishness or unwise to hear the song of fools. Instead, they should seek wisdom from the rebuke of the wise.
Preaching and teaching the Word is profitable as it is for rebuke, reproof, correction, restoration and training to be righteous and do good in this world. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16,17)
Local churches should not become platforms for fools, conducting entertainment programmes, but teaching truth that transforms the hearers.
How are my local spiritual gatherings today?