Introduction

As we get into the warmer months of the year, spring and summer, our thoughts turn towards outdoor activities. Baseball season will arrive, the school year will end, while swimming, hiking, and other fun activities will be considered.

The drawback though is that as some people enjoy the great outdoors, the thoughts of sitting inside a church building, for any amount of time, is pushed down the list of things to do.

But when churches take advantage of that notion to promote “spiritual behavior”, they have lost what it means to be a “household of God.”

Is the County Fair in Town?

Sitting at an intersection one day, I look over at this electronic sign parked right at the corner of the property to get everyone’s attention. I didn’t catch everything it said, but the words: Hot dogs, snow cones, and a bounce house caught my attention. Even though I’m too old for the bounce house, a hot dog and snow cone sounded very inviting. I saw the date was for next week but there were two problems; one, the date was for a Sunday, and two, the property was owned by an organization claiming to be a church.

This has become the ploy of many denominational groups to entice people to come and be part of their service for the day. I’m sure there will be a large group of people showing up to partake in this fair-like event; enjoying the food and the jovial atmosphere. But what do they get out of it from a spiritual nature? Did Jesus pass out snow cones before his sermon on the mount? Did Peter and the apostles offer hot dogs with every converted soul on the day of Pentecost?

Why Have you Done This?

I recall what it says in Judges 2:2, “‘And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?” The people knew what was to be done according to God’s word but chose to do something different. God asked them why.

People today feel that worship services aren’t giving them the “religious experience” that they want, so they’ll go to a place that gives them that experience. The rock bands, puppet show, Bible skits, and other things used to bring the crowds in and, of course, it works. But none of those people ask these questions: Is this how God wants to be worshipped? Does God approve of these types of events? Most will answer ‘Yes’ and be done with it. But none can give a scripture reference for this practice.

What Does the Bible Say?

What does the bible say in regard to using hot dogs and snow cones to bring people in? Paul writes in Rom. 14:17, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. “Not eating and drinking” seems clear enough to me. Just two chapters later Paul writes in 16:18, For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

You may think you’re honoring God by attending such an event, but when you partake in the hot dogs and snow cones, you might as well be dining at Satan’s table (1 Cor. 10:21). You can’t fill your belly with this sinful nature and still consider to be doing the work of the Lord. No, it isn’t sinful to partake in the food itself, but the reason to be doing it is. Read 1 Cor. 8 for a closer look at this idea.

Conclusion

You must ask yourself, “Why am I attending this congregation as opposed to others?” If it’s for reasons of music, fun, food, fellowship, and convenience to where you live; then you’re not attending for the right reasons. If you are attending to worship God, make sure that is the focal point and the services are based on scripture. We want to follow God’s way (Jn. 14:6; 4:24) and not man’s way (Jer. 10:23).