Another thought-provoking comment from my studies on the history of Christian worship:
At some time in the Church’s history, attitudes seem to have moved from an earlier sense of going to worship in order to make an offering to God (worship, adoration) to a sense of attending in order to receive something (a blessing or some kind of credit). It appears that along with this shift came an increasingly passive role for worshippers, until it seemed that simply attending was almost all that was expected. Such a development is seriously demeaning. Everything done together in worship may (and should) be viewed as an act of offering a gift to God, who is the object of reverence and praise.
Seems pretty spot on to me. I shared this quote with one of the elders of White Fields Church and his comment was that he would go so far as to say that in our consumer culture, people have gotten so passive about “worship” that they not only come with the mentality and expectation primarily to receive, but they “shop” for where they can find the best bargain.
The part of the above quote which really sticks out to me is the word “demeaning”. I think the author is right. But how do we go about shifting this consumer culture in the minds of Christian people? That is the challenge.
Theology for the People 
This depends on the Heart of the Believer.
Technically “lord” – refers back to “baal” worship. “god” – refers to “lucifer”. Our Lord states us to allow the tares to come up with the wheat. He will take care of the tares & throw them the fire.
I understand what about the wheat and the tares – but I guess what I’m saying here is that there are people who are “wheat” – i.e.: genuine believers – who are so affected by the water we swim in of consumerism, that it has changed the way we approach God and the way we approach worshiping God.
Amen – I was only commenting. I agree with the statement. Also, the answer to Mature Christains is talked about in the Parable of the Talents.