Celebrity

This is how people commemorated Michael Jackson's death:

This is how we commemorate Christ's death:

Alright, this may be a very broad generalization, but it's not too far from the truth. If staying awake in church is the standard for Christianity, there's a whole lot of people getting by on the bare minimum.

Isn't it interesting how much more passionate we get about our favorite sports team, musician, or Twilight than we do about our almighty Savior?

We dedicate a ton of money and time to these forms of entertainment, and if we get the chance to be in their presence, our attitudes change completely. Most people would not typically paint their bodies bright colors and yell at the top of their lungs, but a football game encourages it. We put our all into supporting our team, singing our favorite songs as loud as we can, and covering our cars in political bumper stickers. Shouldn't the same principle be true for our worship?

Malachi 1:6-8 says, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?'  By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts."

Not only that, but he tells his people that they should shut the doors of the temple if they are going to offer such things to him. God wants  our best in every aspect and he will accept no less. He wants better gifts than what you give on Christmas. He wants a stronger defender than you are for your political party. He wants more enthusiasm than you have for your team. He wants us to be more excited about reading his book than getting an autograph. He doesn't want us to idolize anyone or anything but him. Anything less just isn't good enough. If we aren't giving our all to worshipping him, whether it be a church service or being living sacrifices, he doesn't want it. If we aren't worshipping in spirit and truth we shouldn't bother worshipping at all.

Michael Jackson was talented, but he never did anything for me. Christ created the world, saw that it was sinful, and humbled himself to the point of death so that he could save it (and me). Who deserves our praise?