We would see Zeppelin?

I saw a "worship service" clip where the band opened up with several of Led Zeppelin's greatest hits. They began with "Stairway to Heaven" because it said, Heaven? The setlist also included the bluesy "Black Dog," the perverse "Whole Lotta of Love," and "Ramble On" because nothing says Christianity like a song about rambling. This is one of the biggest religious assemblies in the country and the clip was well produced with professional lighting and camera work. I did notice some of the crowd just sitting there watching. What were they supposed to do? Dance? Headbang? Are mosh pits still a thing? I somehow doubt there were many elderly saints in attendance. Unless they had an early "traditional" service where they played "The Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "The Pennsylvania Polka."

Not only is the music not appropriate, but it also wasn't that great. It was offensive both to Christians and fans of Rock. They provided a mediocre concert and an atrocious religious service. Christ was not glorified, and the world wasn't satisfied. The leader (I'll not call him a pastor) of this clown show is so middle of the road, vanilla – he looks and speaks like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company trying to "get real" with the kids. So why were hundreds and hundreds of people there? Because that mega-church has cornered the market on a particular kind of person. People who want to be spiritual, desire religion, and are looking for someplace that can scratch that itch, without the responsibilities that come with authentic Christianity.

In John 12:20-21 some Grecian men came to worship at the Passover feast, went to Phillip and said, "Sir, we would see Jesus." These men wanted to speak with Jesus and learn of him, to be in his presence. They knew if they wanted to be near Christ, they could go to a disciple, and he would point them the way. A church service is designed for the worship of Christ, for members of Christ's body. But the doors are open because all are welcome and it should be the place where, if anyone wanted to hear about Jesus, they would see him there. When God's people gather, we echo the sentiments of the enquirers, and "we would see Jesus." We would hear of him, worship him, sing praises to him, and hear his Word. We would see Jesus in the hymns. We would see Jesus in the ordinances. Unto Christ be glory in the church.

A cover band playing 50-year-old rock and roll doesn't lift up Christ. It's bait and switch. Draw people in with one thing and then sell them on something else by offering aging rockers a free concert on Sunday morning and then hit them with a sales pitch on the way out the door. Churches ought not to copy the world and certainly don't copy other religious assemblies copying the world because they can draw a crowd. Show the people Jesus.