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WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CHURCH?

February 22, 2009
(Matthew 16:18)

    Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matt. 16:18, nlb).

    But today less than 25% of Americans even attend church on any weekend.  Baptisms are declining and in 2007 the total membership declined.

    A mere 37% of Christians say they have made an attempt to discover God’s will for their lives.  80% of those who don’t attend services regularly believe they can have a good relationship with God outside of the church.  About the same percentage think Christianity today is more about organized religion then about loving God and people.

    Perhaps the most disturbing statistic is that half of the non-religious individuals say, “Christians get on my nerves.”  So what’s wrong with the church?

I.  FIRST, THERE’S IGNORANCE.

    Many Church leaders criticize and condemn areas of science and psychology.  Therefore, young students, going into careers of medicine or research hear nonsense about religion and seek other avenues of mental growth.

    The Scriptures warn against ignorance.  Hosea said, “My people will be destroyed because they have no knowledge” (Hos. 4:6a, edb);

    James said, “If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it . . . He enjoys giving (wisdom) to all people . . .” (Jas. 1:5, edb);  Paul simply said, “Don’t be ignorant.” (I Cor. 12:1, niv).

    Christianity will not survive if it’s accepted without being understood.  Preachers would be shocked if they knew how little people understand of what they hear on Sunday morning.  When it comes to theology, the loyal church member is often like the fellow who was accused of denying the Monroe Doctrine.  “It’s not true!” he shouted.  “I love the Monroe Doctrine.  I would die for the Monroe Doctrine!  I only said, ‘I don’t know what it is.’ ”

    Once a little boy had trouble keeping up with his friends.  In group sports he would be trailing about twenty yards behind yelling, “Come on kids, follow me!”

    Too often that’s the voice of the church.  We talk as if we’re leading the world, when in fact, we’re trailing twenty years behind!
    Today, when over 90% of all U.S. jobs deal with knowledge and information, the church should be on the cutting edge of progress.  It should be ahead of the curve on human concerns.  There’s nothing sacred about ancient customs.  We must use reason and common sense. 
    We must overcome ignorance.

    (That’s why our church emphasizes thinking, reasoning and learning.)

II.  SECOND, THERE’S IRRELEVANCE.

    Sermons tend to talk about angels and demons and obscure doctrines instead of giving practical information about personal problems and relationships.  Therefore, hurting people give up and try other means of solving their problems.

    The Scriptures warn against irrelevance.  Jesus ridiculed pedantic religious rules.  “You teachers of religious law . . . Hypocrites! . . . You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a camel!” (Matt. 23:24, nlb).

    He emphasized simple charity.  “If anyone gives you even a cup of water . . . that person will be rewarded” (Mark 9:41, nlb).

    Paul was also practical.  He said, “If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future . . . but didn’t love others, what good would I be?” (I Cor. 13:2, nlb).

    A preacher starting a new church knocked on doors in the neighborhood and asked, “Is there anything we can do for you?”  The answers were surprising:  “Do you have anything to help alcoholics?” 

    “We’re not Christians, but our teenager has a drug problem.”

    “We’re having marital conflicts.”

    “My husband left and I’m alone.”

    “My son loves music. Do you have a youth choir?”

    These are the problems people want solved.  These are the things people expect from us.  There was not a single inquiry about theology or doctrine.  So, find a need and fill it!  That’s the message of Jesus Christ.  That’s the purpose of the church.

    We must overcome irrelevancy.

    (That’s why our church emphasizes practical ministries.)

III.  NEXT, THERE’S IMMORALITY.

    Many Christians and even ministers ignore such hidden “sins” as greed and hatred while condemning a few obvious “sins” such as pornography and promiscuity.  Therefore individuals feel condemned and rejected, and want nothing to do with hypocritical religions.

    Jesus condemned this attitude, saying, “Corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do” (Matt. 21:31, nlb).

    The Scriptures warn against immorality.  Solomon said, “People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart” (Prov. 21:2, nlb);

    Jesus was especially angry at this sin.  He said, “You hypocrite!  First take the plank out of your own eye.  Then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:5, edb).

    James summed it up: “The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws” (Jas. 2:10, nlb).

    You can’t pick and choose which sins to condemn.  Too many preachers give the impression that “Your sins are worse than my sins!”  Too many evangelists speak to thousands and rake in millions.  Too many religious leaders have secret lives in which they commit the very sins they denounce. 

    Too many are like the three preachers out fishing, who got to confessing.  One said, “I hate to admit it, but I cuss a little when I get drunk.”  Another said, “Well I gamble too much.”  The third was quiet, but when they pressed him to be honest, he grinned and said, “Well, to tell you the truth, fellows, I love to gossip and I just can’t wait to get back to town!”

    We must overcome immorality.

    (That’s why our church emphasizes integrity and honesty.)

IV.  THEN, THERE’S INDIFFERENCE.

    Some churches show little concern for poverty, the environment and important social issues.  They refuse to contaminate themselves with “worldly” things.  Therefore deep minded, caring citizens find secular groups that share their interests.

    The Scriptures warn against indifference: Solomon said, “Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help” (Prov. 3:27, edb);
    Isaiah said, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed . . .” (Isa. 1:17, nlb);

    James said, “What’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? . . .” (Jas. 2:14, nlb).

    That’s an important verse.  A missionary said his priorities changed one day in Africa, when he and other church leaders had met to argue about some minor doctrinal differences.  They came out to find that a little old man had dropped dead in the yard.  An autopsy showed only some grass in his stomach.  The church, like Jesus, is here to serve, not to make theological mountains out of molehills.

    We’re often tempted to take pride in the number of sinful things we don’t do, but this is only half of the picture.  The good things we fail to do make us just as guilty as the bad things we’ve done.  We will be called into judgment for our lack of ministry to those in need. 

    A certain ship captain refused to help the survivors of a sinking sail boat.  When they waved for help, he refused to stop.  This man was later brought to trial and found guilty of murder by omission.

    Are we burying our heads in the sand?  Are we closing our eyes to the problems around us?

    We must overcome indifference.

    (That’s why our church emphasizes concern for our neighbors.)

V.  FINALLY, THERE’S INSENSITIVITY.

    Christians are notoriously self-righteous.  They judge and ridicule those of other cultures and have little respect for sincere seekers from different faiths.  Therefore broad-minded men and women are repelled by the intolerance and avoid all contact.

    The Scriptures warn against insensitivity:  Jesus is blunt about intolerance.  “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged” (Matt. 7:1, nlb).

    He said, only sinless people are capable of judging.  When they brought the woman caught in adultery, he said, “All right, stone her.  But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7, nlb).

    Paul said, “You may be saying, ‘What terrible people’ . . . But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things” (Rom. 2:1, nlb);  “What makes you better than anyone else?. . .” (I Cor. 4:7, nlb).

    Once, a man walked into the doctor’s office with a terrible headache.  “Well,” said the doctor, “I want to check out a few things.  Tell me, do you drink liquor?”

    “Liquor?” said the man indignantly.  “I never touch the filthy stuff.”

    “How about smoking?”

    “I think smoking is disgusting.”

    “Well, do you run around at night?”

    “Of course not.  I’m in bed by ten o’clock!

    “Then tell me,” said the doctor, is that pain in your head sharp and stabbing?”

    “Yes” said the man.  “That’s it–a sharp, stabbing pain.”

    “My dear fellow!” the doctor replied, “I know what is wrong.  Your trouble is that your halo is too tight.”

    Sometimes if we’re too perfect we become impossible to live with.  Something is radically wrong when the local church rejects the very people Jesus accepted.

    According to legend, a family had a very pious son who rose early each morning to read the Holy Scriptures and pray.  One morning the son complained, “Father, all your other children are still in irreligious slumber, while I alone awake each day to praise God.”

    The wise father answered, “Son, it would be better to sleep than to wake up and point out the faults of others.”

    We must overcome insensitivity.

    That’s why our church emphasizes positive compliments and praise rather than negative criticism and condemnation.

So, what’s wrong with the church?  Well, it’s people, because men and women make up the church.  Paul said, “Christ . . . is the head of his body, the church . . . the whole body is fitted together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow . . .” (Eph. 4:15-16,25, nlb).

    In order to correct what’s wrong with the church: 

    We must replace Ignorance with knowledge;
    We must replace Irrelevance with purpose;
    We must replace Immorality with integrity;
    We must replace Indifference with concern;
    We must replace Insensitivity with kindness.
    Then, such a church as that will prevail and flourish.

    We are striving to have a church like that.  Let’s rededicate ourselves to learning, to helpfulness, to honesty, to responsibility and to tolerance; and we’ll be the church Jesus envisioned when he said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matt.16:18, nlb).
(WC1793)

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