Christianity Is Headed Up or Down  What do most people today really think of Christianity  Are they interested in being a part of it  Do they want to keep their distance  What factors affect their decisions whether to become a part of it  Is there anything we can do to be a positive influence to persuade the world to want to become a part of it today

“Christianity” a dying breed  Most look at Christianity as, not a “NOW” thing to be a part of …..  Not hip  Not cool  Maybe even a waste of time  Why should they be a part of it  What will it do for them

This is largely a result of our past  Denominationalism’s idea of getting them in the building at all cost  Allow them to bring in rock bands  Allow them to have their own service  Have special events like hot dog suppers and ice cream socials and camping trips and Winter Festivals like this month in Arlington Texas  Put the kids up in a hotel for a fun weekend and call it religious but make it fun and games for them so they can have a big time  Take them on skiing trips, and trips to ball games and trips for recreational activities

What happens when the new is gone  Children must be taught to love and serve God, not just to give them whatever they want and call it Christianity  Gen 18:19 …in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice,  John the Baptist Luke 1:17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."  1 Cor 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Should Music In the Church be specialized for our young people  Does God leave it up to us to decide such matters  Rom 15:9 "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name."  1 Cor 14:15 I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.  Heb 2:12 "I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."  James 5:13-14 Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.  Matt 26:30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Churches Today Seem To Forget  We should still please God not ourselves  Jesus said - John 8:29-30 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."  Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.  1 Thess 4:1…you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

Christianity is based on “Obedience To God”  1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"  Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.

Most exchange worldliness for religion  Matt 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  Luke 9:25-26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.

Most exchange friendship with the world for religion  James 4:4-5 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

We are either of God, or we are of the sway of Satan!  1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.  1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.