I want to draw your attention to some thoughts from A.W. Tozer concerning churches and the people that attend.

          1.  The kinds of people who will not be at home in a Spirit-filled church.
                a.  Those who put on their religion as a Sunday garment.
                b.  Those who refuse to let religion endanger their own plans.
                c.  Those who expect religion to be fun.
                d.  Those who embrace a church only for cultural values.
          2.  The kinds of people who will be happy in the Spirit-filled group.
                a.  Those who have a leading ambition to be rid of their sin.
                b.  Those who want to know God and to walk with Him.
                c.  Those who have learned to recognize the voice of the Shepherd.
                d.  Those who are sensitive to the Invisible Presence.

Now, some are already bristling at the term “religion.”  They will clamor, “I have a relationship, not a religion.”  True, Christianity is first of all a relationship with Jesus Christ and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  However, it is also a religion, for Jesus said that if we love Him we would keep His commandments.  The key to a successful relationship is doctrine.  To know Christ is to know the doctrines that are presented in the Bible, thus religion.  It has been my experience that those who make the cry, “It is a relationship” are those who do not want to study doctrine nor practice them.
Many people do not want to practice the Word of God.  They like it as a “Sunday garment.”  If people would practice their Christianity it might affect their social standing, so it becomes a Sunday-only religion.  Their plans, pleasures, and recreation come before what God has for them.  They seek such and yet say they have a relationship?  I have heard many over the years say that they would not do such-and-such, or live in such-and-such a place.  What if God tells them to do it or go there? 
“People want the benefits of the cross but yet they do not want to bow to the control of the cross.”  (Tozer)  Fun, fun, fun, yet Jesus tells us to pick up our cross.  Ouch, that isn’t much fun.  Listen, entertainment is not worship.  Let me tell you that true worship will develop a true relationship.
One more thought for today.  We do not go to church for the feeling, for the fellowship, for harmony and “how-to” do this or that.  We go to church to meet with a holy God.  We go to church to be directed to live by His holy Word.  We go to church so the Scriptures can teach doctrine, rebuke, correct, and instruct in righteousness.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
–2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB)

Growing up I can remember hearing this grand old hymn sung over and over.  The words ring true and there is a simple message that goes deep into the soul.  It depicts every believer, for it tells the truth of life before Christ.  It was selfish and vain and cared nothing for the things of God, and what Jesus did for us on Calvary.

          “Years I spent in vanity and pride,
           Caring not my Lord was crucified,
           Knowing not it was for me He died
           On Calvary.”
                    –William R. Newell

The power of God’s Word is seen in this grand old song.  It is God’s Word that shines on our life to show sin.  It is God’s Word that convicts and helps us recognize that we are in a terrible way unless we turn to Jesus and the Cross.  The Holy Spirit always uses the precious Word of God, even if it is only a small seed.

          “By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
           Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
           Till my guilty soul imploring turned
           To Calvary.”

At Calvary, we give up our lives as well.  Gone is the selfish ambition.  Broken are the bonds of slavery to the world.  All the curse of sin is broken at Calvary.  It was finished on the Cross; the blood was shed, and now there is hope for new life.

          “Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus ev’rything,
           Now I gladly own Him as my King,
           Now my raptured soul can only sing
           Of Calvary.”

What is it that is now on your mind?  Are you still enthralled with the things of the world or have you truly given to Jesus everything?  Are you thinking of material things, the desire for the world or have you now turned to thoughts of heaven?  If you truly have been to Calvary, then our thoughts change.  Our soul sings continual praises to and about God. 

          “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
           Oh, the grace that bro’t it down to man!
           Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
           At Calvary!

                   Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
                   Pardon there was multiplied to me;
                   There my burdened soul found liberty,
                   At Calvary.”

Mercy was great, grace was free–there was nothing we could do to earn it, for Jesus paid the price on Calvary.  Think of your life; it has all been pardoned.  The soul, once heavy with sin is now free because of Calvary.  Talk about excitement!  That chorus just has to be read (and some of your are probably singing) again!

                   “Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
                    Pardon there was multiplied to me;
                    There my burdened soul found liberty,
                    At Calvary.”