It’s official, worship has gone to the dogs! Six years ago a church in my hometown made the news as the host of a memorial service for a dog. As a police service dog shot and killed while on duty he was no ordinary dog, but he was still a dog. Yes, his death is an occasion for sadness and sorrow, but the fact that a church is hosting a memorial service for a soulless animal is cause for even greater sadness and sorrow.

But this is the spirit of our age. We’ve surrendered to the siren song of sensual service and turned all worship into an appeal to the flesh. It’s all about doing the things that make us feel good. And few things make us feel better than honoring cultural heroes, even, or perhaps especially, furry ones. Rather than urging us to “appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21) churches have been appealing to people’s carnal appetites for decades. This is just the latest example of the continued death of Biblical relevance in American churches.

After Jehu secured control of Israel he wanted to eliminate the sensual idolatry of Baal worship. Announcing how he intended to surpass Ahab in Baal worship he called for all true adherents to come to a special service in Samaria. It was a deliberate lie and once everyone was in the house of Baal the building was set on fire and everyone was burned to death and he completely eradicated Ball worship (2 Kings 10:18-28). It would be nice to think Jehu was doing this because of a zeal for God, but it was really just an expedient path to consolidating his power. For Jehu it was a mere utilitarian act that furthered his own purposes and God’s agreement was of secondary concern.

Fortunately, we live in a time where God’s kingdom is spiritual in nature and He has made it clear that His people don’t commit murder or any kind of physical harm in His name. Anyone who claims authority to harm another human being in God’s name is a liar to be denounced immediately (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Instead, of killing people in the name of God we must speak His truth in love, in a relentless effort to persuade unbelievers of their need to come to Jesus. That may require some fire and brimstone sermons that dangle souls over the open pits of hell (figuratively of course), such as pointing out the absolute insult to God for a church claiming to honor Him actually hosting a memorial service for a dog. It is no better than Baal worship and deserves to be burned to the ground (metaphorically of course)! Believers should condemn such disgraceful perversions. Not out of cruelty or hatred for others, but for love of sinners because we hope to pull lost souls out of the fire of this world’s mockery of worship (Jude 22-23).

Has your church worship gone to the dogs? If so leave it now or it will take you down to the pits of hell too. Difficult words, but necessary none the less.