Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Lights

[Sister Alvear]

Well, I just got in from prayer meeting...I showed during the meeting some slides of the sufferings of the saints...so we had only my projector light on...It is 3:30 in the morning here in Brazil...We had an awesome prayer meeting.
Well, I just read the last couple posts...but am amazed how far extremes people do to...
Wonder where is balance?
We don´t have to look like a night club but using lights during a play or something does not make us a sinner...
Yes, I do know some go to extremes but not everybody....

[Romans 14:22]

Well, I'm a newcomer to posting but have lurked for a long time. Hi everyone!

My take on the smoke and mirrors is that I have seen emotional altar calls but no long lasting fruit. It is sort of like the seed that was thrown by the wayside. These types "did not understand" and the wicked one quickly took it away. (MT 13:19)

It appears that it is an emotional response without any understanding of the gospel and it is easily swiped away by the enemy.

As one of my former Pastors used to say, "if your saved by music you can fall away by music". I don't know if that was verbatim but it was something similar.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Romans 14:22

Well, I'm a newcomer to posting but have lurked for a long time. Hi everyone!

My take on the smoke and mirrors is that I have seen emotional altar calls but no long lasting fruit. It is sort of like the seed that was thrown by the wayside. These types "did not understand" and the wicked one quickly took it away. (MT 13:19)

It appears that it is an emotional response without any understanding of the gospel and it is easily swiped away by the enemy.

As one of my former Pastors used to say, "if your saved by music you can fall away by music". I don't know if that was verbatim but it was something similar.

Welcome Romans,

Your point is one that is relevent with or without colored lights and smoke machines.

People saved through being scared to death by doom and gloom preachers are "saved" by fear and fall away when the fear subsides.

How many revivals or youth camps with the preacher telling scary stories of either the end time or car wrecks have we seen the altar filled with folks caught up in the moment without a real change of heart and mind?

Colored lights and smoke machines will never be a substitute for prayer, worship, praise ,etc. They are simply tools to set a mood, stimulate the mind, make a presentation more interesting or pleasing.

If the CONTENT at the event with colored lights and smoke machines is good, right, and the word of the Lord it will not return void.

If the CONTENT at the event without colored lights and smoke machines is the vain words of men the fact there were no colored lights or smoke machines there will not give any power to those words.

Lights, smoke, amplification, screens, are all tools just like air conditioing to make the atmosphere more pleasing when a group of people are together.

One of the most powerful things I have seen was at a large church where when the praise and worship was going on they were singing a song about our powerful God, God of heven and earth, how he has made the mountains, oceans, etc they had on the big video screens a video montage of mountains, the ocean, fields, etc. It made you really appreciate the words you were singing and brought to mind just how majestic God's creative ability is.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by CC1

Welcome Romans,

Your point is one that is relevent with or without colored lights and smoke machines.

People saved through being scared to death by doom and gloom preachers are "saved" by fear and fall away when the fear subsides.

How many revivals or youth camps with the preacher telling scary stories of either the end time or car wrecks have we seen the altar filled with folks caught up in the moment without a real change of heart and mind?

Colored lights and smoke machines will never be a substitute for prayer, worship, praise ,etc. They are simply tools to set a mood, stimulate the mind, make a presentation more interesting or pleasing.

If the CONTENT at the event with colored lights and smoke machines is good, right, and the word of the Lord it will not return void.

If the CONTENT at the event without colored lights and smoke machines is the vain words of men the fact there were no colored lights or smoke machines there will not give any power to those words.

Lights, smoke, amplification, screens, are all tools just like air conditioing to make the atmosphere more pleasing when a group of people are together.

One of the most powerful things I have seen was at a large church where when the praise and worship was going on they were singing a song about our powerful God, God of heven and earth, how he has made the mountains, oceans, etc they had on the big video screens a video montage of mountains, the ocean, fields, etc. It made you really appreciate the words you were singing and brought to mind just how majestic God's creative ability is.

Excellent post, CC. Dead on.

[1Corinth2v4]

Originally Posted by CC1

Welcome Romans,

Your point is one that is relevent with or without colored lights and smoke machines.

People saved through being scared to death by doom and gloom preachers are "saved" by fear and fall away when the fear subsides.


Colored lights and smoke machines will never be a substitute for prayer, worship, praise ,etc. They are simply tools to set a mood, stimulate the mind, make a presentation more interesting or pleasing.



Lights, smoke, amplification, screens, are all tools just like air conditioing to make the atmosphere more pleasing when a group of people are together.

CC1,



First you criticize preachers for gloom and doom sermons, which are reality by the way, then you state colored lights, and smoke machines are simply tools to set a mood, and stimulate the mind?


What are you trying to do, seduce people with the mood? That sounds about right, thanks for your confession!



You said:

"They are simply tools to set a mood, stimulate the mind, make a presentation more interesting or pleasing"

Then you said:

Lights, smoke, amplification, screens, are all tools just like air conditioing to make the atmosphere more pleasing

It was just as I thought. God forbid you folks get ahold of God before a service and have Him set the mood and stimulate the minds of people through his word and spirit.

But since you folks don't know how to get ahold of God, you utilize carnal methods by trying to get their attention through colored lights and smoke machines, just as you stated above!


44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.....

45) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.




It takes preaching and teaching to come before God. Stop beating around the bush with colored lights and smoke machines. If you want to get into the hearts of people, feed them the word of GOD, that's what's going to draw them!

You don't need colored lights, Christian rock concerts or smoke machines to win the lost, you need the word of God.

ALSO, STOP TRYING TO SET THE MOOD AND STIMULATE THE MINDS WITH COLOR LIGHTS AND SMOG MACHINE.THE HOLY-GHOST DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP!

PREACH THE WORD AND HE'LL STIMULATE THE MINDS AND SET THE MOOD!


My my........God, forgive those people that think colored lights and smokes machines can stimulate the mind and set the mood better than you possibly could.


I guess these people started off in the spirit and have become perfected in the flesh!

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by 1Corinth2v4

CC1,



First you criticize preachers for gloom and doom sermons, which are reality by the way, then you state colored lights, and smoke machines are simply tools to set a mood, and stimulate the mind?


What are you trying to do, seduce people with the mood? That sounds about right, thanks for your confession!



You said:





Then you said:





It was just as I thought. God forbid you folks get ahold of God before a service and have Him set the mood and stimulate the minds of people through his word and spirit.

But since you folks don't know how to get ahold of God, you utilize carnal methods by trying to get their attention through colored lights and smoke machines, just as you stated above!


44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.....

45) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.




It takes preaching and teaching to come before God. Stop beating around the bush with colored lights and smoke machines. If you want to get into the hearts of people, feed them the word of GOD, that's what's going to draw them!

You don't need colored lights, Christian rock concerts or smoke machines to win the lost, you need the word of God.

ALSO, STOP TRYING TO SET THE MOOD AND STIMULATE THE MINDS WITH COLOR LIGHTS AND SMOG MACHINE.THE HOLY-GHOST DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP!

PREACH THE WORD AND HE'LL STIMULATE THE MINDS AND SET THE MOOD!


My my........God, forgive those people that think colored lights and smokes machines can stimulate the mind and set the mood better than you possibly could.


I guess these people started off in the spirit and have become perfected in the flesh!

I think you have missed the point!

Everyone agrees that solid teaching and preaching is what's vital in a Christian's life.

But, different churches use different means to get outsiders interested a relationship with the Almighty God.

Things that bring out emotion are very powerful and effective, but they're not able to sustain. What does one do when they are alone and depressed and there is no choir, no music, no lazer lights or no screaming preacher? This is where their faith kick in, which has built up through solid teaching and preaching. This is where the Holy Ghost is at it's best!

We all like the emotional high of a great church service, but it takes more than that to keep walking the Christian journey. The Christian journey is more than enduring emotional high to emotional high.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by 1Corinth2v4

CC1,
My my........God, forgive those people that think colored lights and smokes machines can stimulate the mind and set the mood better than you possibly could.


I guess these people started off in the spirit and have become perfected in the flesh!

Ah Mr Hyde returns.

CC1 did not say anyone can do anything better than God. However God wants us to to things. If we can just sit back and let God I am sure He will do a much better job. Imagine no preachers...just God preaching, or don't you think God can do it better? God can, but God chooses to have us work.

And if all we need is the anointing, then get rid of the music, get rid of the mics, get rid of everything.

Have you ever considered that the things we use are neutral?

People for years have loved Pentecostal music and worship and that was their reason for visiting Pentecostal services. When they do they are there to hear the word preached.

You have the house lights on, they are fluorescent. Other times they have other lights on. Some people just like the house lights. Some like the colored lights.

Some old timers like slower "I see a Crimson Stream of Blood" and the younger ones with more energy like faster "Have a little talk with Jesus", but in the end it's what is preached that matters.

I have been in plays and concerts with colored lights, no fog or strobes and at the end there was a preaching and have had a lot of young people come forward to seek the Lord in prayer or receive the Holy Ghost for the first time. I have even seen Pastor's children. The lights and the music there did not bring them to an alter. It might have attracted them to the venue. Maybe even the lyrics to the songs or the theme of the plays spoke to them, but all in all it was the preaching of the word.

BTW most youth probably have never been in a club since most are for adults.

[South of I 90]

Originally Posted by 1Corinth2v4

God forbid you folks get ahold of God before a service and have Him set the mood and stimulate the minds of people through his word and spirit.

.....and see how quick the mind of God leaves these folks when the air conditioning goes out in service with it 95 degrees outside and 90% humidity.

I guess you would call it heresy to cut the service short because of this!

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by 1Corinth2v4

. God forbid you folks get ahold of God before a service and have Him set the mood and stimulate the minds of people through his word and spirit.

But since you folks don't know how to get ahold of God, you utilize carnal methods by trying to get their attention through colored lights and smoke machines, just as you stated above!

...It takes preaching and teaching to come before God. Stop beating around the bush with colored lights and smoke machines. If you want to get into the hearts of people, feed them the word of GOD, that's what's going to draw them!

...I guess these people started off in the spirit and have become perfected in the flesh!

Umm... this coming from someone who's been blatantly caught being less than truthful on this forum. Interesting.

"Lack of credibility" is the key phrase that comes to mind here.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Romans 14:22

Well, I'm a newcomer to posting but have lurked for a long time. Hi everyone!

My take on the smoke and mirrors is that I have seen emotional altar calls but no long lasting fruit. It is sort of like the seed that was thrown by the wayside. These types "did not understand" and the wicked one quickly took it away. (MT 13:19)

It appears that it is an emotional response without any understanding of the gospel and it is easily swiped away by the enemy.

As one of my former Pastors used to say, "if your saved by music you can fall away by music". I don't know if that was verbatim but it was something similar.

Very good post! Keep posting!

As CC1 said, if you're brought to Christ through emotion, something needs to pierce the heart so there is substance once the emotion has gone.

I have seen your reference to music happen many times!

I have heard it said that music can get people there, but it's the preaching that keeps them there!