Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Paul David Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

Each month, we release grace and knowledge, a more in-depth article from Paul that allows him to expand on biblical truths beyond his weekly Wednesday's word.

Our prayer is that this resource helps you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Peter 318.

In this month's grace and knowledge, Paul confronts the consumer-driven mindset many Christians bring to church

and calls believers back to a God-centered faith

where all of him fuels a deep commitment to the body of Christ.

In last month's Grace and Knowledge article, I wrote that our Easter Sunday celebration

often falls short of what it should be and could be.

Churches will obviously emphasize the resurrection,

yes and amen, but biblically we shouldn't stop there. Christ's redeeming work continues with his

royal priestly ascension. I have another observation about the church that I want to write about this

month. A sad level of Christian consumerism exists in the Church of Jesus Christ today. Maybe you noticed this on Easter.

Perhaps your sanctuary or worship center was far fuller than a typical Sunday.

Maybe you saw the Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday population make their way to church for their

semi-annual visit.

Praise God that they're hearing the gospel, but this article is not a cultural critique about

that passive demographic.

No, it's a critique and exhortation for me and for you, who might be passive in ways we don't

even realize. Would you be humble enough to receive it with me? There's nothing that I write that I

don't first need to hear myself. Consumerism Christianity. Many believers think of their church as merely a place to attend rather than as an organic body with which they are intimately involved.

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