For all:
Get in the habit of asking people one of two questions when you go to church:
1) What did you hear in the sermon?
2) What did you read in your Bible this past week?
This will tell you a lot about your church. But, be prepared to answer that question too.
My own test is to listen to the presentation and ask who is the main focus of their service.
If it is the Jehovah God of the Bible and His Son, Jesus Christ, they are probably on the right track.
If it is on anything else, it’s not the right place for me. I’ve been to mainstream churches where the focus is squarely on men, not God. Their solutions are of this world.
It is good that churches come together and attempt to solve the needs of this world but they will go astray if they are not focused on teaching and studying God’s word and our relationship with God first and foremost. He is able to meet my needs and He is able to be sufficient in what I lack if I continue to focus on Him and relate with Him.
I was reminded this Sunday that almost all the Ivy League universities began as Christian institutions and they’ve all pretty much shoved God out the door today, producing mostly god-hating liberals who believe first and foremost in socialism and collectivism. They may be great colleges of learning but they have lost their way in terms of their original intent. Likewise, too, our country is headed the same direction.