"Worship wars." That's the current term used in the religious world to describe an increasing problem. "How shall worship services be conducted?" is another way of expressing it. "We need to change/adapt our worship," some say. That many groups are affected, none can deny. "Worship wars" have resulted in some cases. The discussion involves "Traditional" versus "Contemporary" services. Professional entertainment is brought into the church. Casual dress, drama presentations, celebrity speakers, and all kinds of music (choirs, quartets, soloists, semi-professional bands, and orchestras) are emphasized. The "traditional hymns" are never heard. Preaching with a doctrinal basis is replaced by motivational talks, an emphasis on relationships, celebrity speakers, inspiring stories, personal testimonies, and all manner of spiritual baby food. Some churches survey the members to "see what they want," and what the majority wants, it gets. "Christianity light" is the result.

In these contemporary scenarios, unfortunately, the questions "What does God want? " or "What does the Bible teach? " never even enter the equation. For shame!

What created these trends? America has increasingly become an entertainment- saturated society .Many of you remember when there was no television. I remember when color television came (I guess that "dates" me), but the picture was fuzzy because all we had was a "rabbit ears" antenna. It was exciting to go to my grandmother's because she had cable. Wow! I could hardly believe it possible to get eight channels! Then cable expanded. Do you remember the first VCR's? (Beta, of course). Then those huge satellite dishes some had in their yards. Then cable expansion (including digital), and DVD's, and Internet, and etcetera.

Why do I mention this? Because if one craves that which entertains the senses and heightens the emotions, a few songs, a couple prayers, the Lord's Supper, and a twenty-five minute sermon hardly compete!

But wait -and here's the point: where did anyone ever get the idea that worship unto God is supposed to entertain man anyway? Not from the Bible! When did worship become that which man wants, desires, likes, and responds to? The early church never (repeat, never!) sought to adapt itself to its culture; just the opposite, the early church adapted the culture to the demands of the gospel and the commands of God. That's why they "turned the world upside down " (see Acts 17:6).

Much "worship" practiced today is unscriptural, vain and unacceptable to God, no matter how appealing to man. Biblical ignorance fosters it, and irreverence toward God condones it. True worship (Matthew 4: 10) is never as "man desires," but true worship is only as God directs! Not man's way, but God's!

So, how do we practice scriptural worship in our contemporary culture? We must teach people the purpose of worship and instill the proper motivation for worship deep in the heart. Worship is to reverence and glorify God (Ephesians 3:20-21) and must be offered by sincere hearts with actions directed by God's Word (John 4:23-24).

Too many, seeking to please man and draw a crowd, have not a clue what true worship is all about. Sad! Let us teach, brethren! It is truth that sets man from both sin (John 8:32) and ignorance (Psalm 119:104). Let's inform all who'll listen that the worship God accepts is predicated upon what He -not man, never man -wants; what God commands, not what man accommodates; what glorifies God, not what titillates man. The great God who made us and sustains us deserves no less!