Challenge #3 – What Is the Church to Do with ME?

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The consumer mentality that drives our culture has seeped into the church as well.  In every facet of culture, we expect entitlement.  We have learned to assert our rights and to demand that we receive what we have coming to us…and more.  We expect others to give us more than we are willing to invest ourselves.

One of the first questions people ask as they consider joining a church is “how can the church meet my needs,” and one of the last statements disgruntled church people utter as they leave is “this church isn’t meeting my needs.”  We want music that suits, programs that entertain, preaching that tickles, and fellowship that affirms.  We want benefit without cost, blessing without effort, and gain without sacrifice.  We shop for church experience like shopping for a new car.  We search until we find one we think we will likes, then we dicker for membership at the lowest possible interest rate.

The problem with such a self-centered mindset is that it is not really the center.  Church isn’t about me, it’s about Jesus.  It’s HIS church.  Church is not about what I can get, but how I can invest and serve Him.

John 3:30 – He must increase, and I must decrease.

Matthew 16:18 (the words of Jesus) – …I will build MY church… (emphasis added)

Ephesians 3:21 – …to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 2:9-11 – Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 1:18 – …and He is the head of the body, the church.

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable of a man who went on a journey and entrusted portions of his possessions to his servants.  Two of his servants invested their master’s goods and gained him even more.  The master praised them and rewarded them for their investment.  The third servant played it safe and hid his master’s money, and the master chided the servant and punished him for his laziness and apathy.

Jesus has entrusted His most precious treasure to us – His Church.  He is not pleased when I hijack His precious possession and assert my preferences and wants.  He is not please with my desires to conform church to my image, but rather He is please with my determination to invest my time, resources, and efforts in His Church.

We will begin to experience the winds of revival when we die to ourselves and return Jesus to His rightful highest place in His Church.

Challenge #1 – What Is the Church to Do with the Bible?

One of the evidences that the 21st Century church is in trouble is our posture toward the Bible.  Not, our doctrinal statement about the Bible, but our use – or misuse/lack of use – of it.  Several symptoms point to the reality that we do not consider the Bible to be our authoritative guide.

    • We elevate our feelings and experiences over the clear teaching of Scripture.  Books and movies like Heaven Is For Real gain popularity even though many things in the book are contrary to the Biblical account of heaven.
    • We lack discernment of Biblical truth and buy into preaching that seems to “make sense” to us.  John Hagee’s recent book concerning Blood Moons lacks good Biblical scholarship, yet many treat its teachings as gospel truth.
    • We spend more time reading, teaching, and talking about books that address Biblical topics than reading, teaching, and talking about the Bible itself.
    • We establish church policies and practice based on worldly, political models rather than on Biblical ones.  We place unbiblical expectations on our leaders.
    • We make decisions based more on “I think,” “we want,” “we’ve always,” and “it would be nice,” than “the Bible says.”  In fact, all too often I have heard from believers, “I know the Bible says ____, but…”

The list could continue, but that is sufficient for now.  One 1st Century church was famous for being Bible-centered.  Acts 17:11 tells us that the church in Berea “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”  Everything they heard was first compared to what God had said in the Bible.

We need to remember the standard of God’s Word in the church today.  God’s Word is the all-sufficient source for teaching, reproof, instruction, and training in righteousness.  The Bible will equip us for “every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

When the Church decides to return to the Bible as the source for faith and practice, we will be inching closer to revival.  Such a return will not come easy, however.  Precious traditions will have to go.  The church will take Biblical stances that will be largely unpopular; not to those one the outside, but to church members.  The way we do things will have to change drastically to square up with God’s Word.

Yes, it will be difficult, but well worth it.  Without such a change, the future looks bleak.