Dr. David Jeremiah started his sermon today talking about an enthusiastic Christian. This man used a sandwich board as a tool of evangelism. On the front, it said, " I am fool for Christ sake...." Many people scoffed at him and rolled their eyes....until the saw the back of the sign which said: "Whose fool are you?" Dr. Jeremiah went on to preach about the lukewarm church at Laodecia(Revelation) and todays consumer religion.

In a survey of 13- to 17-year-olds conducted from 2002 through 2003, the National Study of Youth and Religion found that 16 percent of respondents participated in more than one religious congregation. Four percent attend youth groups outside their congregations.

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Wonder how this applies to Montgomery?

Here are some facts:

1.We have about 500 Christ following churches in Montgomery.

2. Our population is about 250,000 in the metropolitan area.

3. Approximately 50% of our metropolitan area call themselves church goers. It may be lower than that according to some stats. That means that 50% or less are not attenders at all.

What does this tell us?

1. 1/2 of our population of this area most likely do not know Christ in a personal relationship.

2. Our society today is "consumed" with consuming. That lifestyle has spilled over into our churches. Experts tell us that most of the time, people look for a church to meet "their" needs, not as a place to serve and reach others for Christ.

What do we do?

1. Examine Isaiah 58 this week. What is "true" religion according to this prophet?

2. Examine our motives for being the "church"? Is it to become a disciple or meet social needs? Is it to worship the Lord or worship the service?

3. If we are consumers, how can we turn into disciples of Christ so that our city will know HIM through our lives?

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These are harsh questions for all of us to ask ourselves but if we are to truly be a "fool" for Christ as that gentleman so cleary stated in the beginning of this writing.....we must examine our motives and see if we are "consumers of Christ" or "disciples of Christ". We can't be both according to scripture.

Psalm 119:36-37

"Turn my heart toward you, oh Lord, and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life, according to your promises."

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me and know my heart, oh Lord. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

PRAY THIS WEEK FOR HEART CHANGES IN OUR OWN LIVES SO THAT WE CAN PASS ON THE GRACE AND LOVE THAT HE HAS GIVEN US.