Is the Church Still Relevant

People Today are Taking a Hard Look at the Church and Asking, “Why”?

Even before the shutdowns due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there has been an increase in culture separating from the Church. This has affected the young adults the most. Some have described the Church as empty houses of religious rules and unconvincing lives. It is amazing how far this description is from the expectation of the Church from the Bible. I’m reminded of the last words of Jesus in Mark 16 –

Mark 16:17–18 (NIV) 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Even Jesus criticized the empty religion of the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Rules without relationship will never do. Mark 16 points out why I believe the things that I do. I pray that the words of Jesus are seen in our church and realized in our lives.

Founded on the Rock

Jesus told a parable about 2 homes. One of the homes was built on a foundation of sand and the other home was built on a foundation of the rock. Recently Cindy and I were able to get down to the Gulf Coast. We spent the majority of our time in Rockport but also visited Port Aransas. As we walked the beaches of the Gulf, we saw the work of children and their parents in the sand. Each of the sandcastles were slowly eroding back to the natural condition of the beach.

In Colorado a friend has a home on the side of a mountain. The foundation is bedded into the granite of the mountain. It had to be drilled and blasted to set the home securely. It is a beautiful ranch that will doubtless remain sound for many, many years to come.

In the parable Jesus compares those who trust His words as the those who build homes on rock and those who listen but refuse to obey to be like those who build homes and the sand and like the sandcastles Cindy and I saw. They will simply wash away.

Luke 6:46–49 NIV

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

2020 has been a year of shaking. The first message that I preached this year was “Seeing Jesus More Clearly in 2020”. In hindsight it makes sense because, most of the time, we have to be shaken up before we begin to change. When the ‘torrent’ comes, the home on the rock stands firm.

In a world filled with bad news, there is good news! I came across an interesting tidbit, “One-quarter of U.S. adults overall (24%) say their faith has become stronger because of the coronavirus pandemic, while just 2% say their faith has become weaker.[1]

Jesus is not weakened, and His Church will not be conquered!

3 Avenues of Thought in Society Today

Here are some thoughts from the unchurched why they don’t attend church

1. About 30% just don’t believe

2. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways

3. Haven’t found a church they like

4. Don’t like the sermons (18%)

5. Don’t feel welcome (14%)

These are interesting reasons and we all have either been there or know someone that is. This morning I’d like to look at 3 more general avenues of thought in society today: (1) the idea that the institution of the Church is irrelevant, (2) the accusation that the Church does irrelevant things, and, finally, (3) the perception that the church leaders are more interested in buildings than people.

Young People Today Increasingly Feel the Church is Irrelevant

“The most important answer is that the world does not get to declare how “relevant” the eternal body of Christ is. We, the Church, have to affirm who we are (Jacob Riley).

So we affirm that Bible tells us that the Church is an eternal body designed by Jesus and with Jesus as the Head of the Church.

The Church is an eternal body

Jesus Christ is the designer and the builder. You may remember the shock that Jesus caused when He told the Jews that their precious Temple would come down but that He would rebuild the Temple in 3 days. This was unbelievable to the Jews. Jesus was speaking of His resurrection but also of His leadership of the church – a body of followers who are dedicated to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV

For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Ephesians 2:21–22 NIV

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Christ is the Head of the Church

The Word of God teaches us that we are all connected as parts of the body but Jesus is the head.

Ephesians 1:22–23 NIV

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

When the head of a human body is removed, the conclusion is obvious: the body dies. The same is true of the church. When the true Head, Jesus Christ, is removed, the church body dies. And when a foreign head is placed on the body of Christ, a monster is created. In far too many cases, Jesus Christ has been pushed aside and removed as the Head of the church. Who has replaced Him—the pastor, the board of directors, the richest families, the denomination itself? All of these have become the head in far too many churches.

We must give Jesus Christ His proper place at the head of the church, lest we forget and create a monster.[2]

Today’s Society Argues that the Church is Doing Irrelevant Things

Currently the churches in California (over 10,000) are banding together to challenge Gov. Newsom’s order to shut down all places of worship. This is not just happening in California but many pastors are making the argument that the spiritual and emotional health of people outweighs the risk of getting Covid-19. It is also a civil liberties issue. Regardless, the question is being asked in society, “How relevant or useful is ‘assembling together’ as the Church”?

I spoke with my mother yesterday. She is in her 80’s. Has battled cancer twice and now has pain in her shoulder that doesn’t allow her to lift her arm. She could use some encouragement from her friends and the ministers of her church. As helpful as on-line services may be, they don’t replace the smiles, kindness, concern, prayers, and faith of the body gathered together.

It is possible to get involved in non-essentials and work for our own interests. Paul warned to stay away from those…

2 Timothy 3:5 NIV

having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

So, what is the essential mission of the church? I have spent lots of time of these over the years, but for the sake of brevity today, here is how we express it at Grace Chapel. Grace Chapel Assembly of God believes that the message of True Life teaches us:

1.) A Lifestyle of Worship - Worship

2.) Connect to God and Others - Evangelism and fellowship

3.) A Place to Grow - Discipleship

4.) Saved People Serve Others - Service

5.) His Message, Our Mission – Go - Missions

These five areas provide balance and purpose for us as a church.

The Church is very relevant when it is operating under its Biblical mandate!

Today’s Society Argues that Church is Not About the Building

And, they are right. The Church is an organism. Very often today when we ask about the ‘church’ people think of a white building with a steeple. In the NT there are actually only 2 uses; the assembly of believers and the broader idea of the ‘Church’ that refers to all the Christians throughout the world.

Earlier we talked about the Church as an eternal body. My body and your body are inhaling, exhaling, working, walking, sleeping, exercising, on and on. We are living and breathing as an organism. In much the same way, the Church is a living and breathing organism designed by Christ.

John 20:21–22 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

And again, in the upper room after Jesus had ascended into Heaven…

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1–4 NIV

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

If someone points out that church is not about the building, they are right; however, buildings hold assemblies of the Church. Those who choose not to be a part of the assembly of the Church together don’t understand the design of the Church.

At the beginning of the year I preached a message I titled, “Clarifying the Vision of the Church”. In that message I emphasized this idea that the Church was not a building but you and me living in relationship with Jesus. Let’s review very quickly:

‘U’ are the Church.

You and I share in God’s purposes for the church. You are a part of a body. Paul explains this to the church of Corinth using the illustration of the body:

1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

U are designed to praise God

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Praise is both vertical and horizontal. In vertical praise we recognize the goodness of God and we tell Him in our words, songs, and actions. In horizontal praise we encourage one another to recognize the goodness of God. There is a power dynamic released when we come together with one purpose – to praise and worship God.

U are intended to Grow

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I believe that there are a number of ways that Jesus wants us to grow. Among them are understandings that we are: A priesthood of believers, Reflections of the glory of God, Complete in Christ, and Moving from immaturity to maturity.

U are a Missionary to your Community

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

So, it is true that the Church is not about the building. It is about You and I carrying the message that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died for our sins, and calls us to follow Him as disciples.

What Are YOU Thinking?

10 Reasons People Do Attend Church (and the percentage who said this was very important)

1. To become closer to God (81%)

2. So children will have a moral foundation (69%)

3. To make me a better person (68%)

4. For comfort in times of trouble/sorrow (66%)

5. I find the sermons valuable (59%)

6. To be part of a community of faith (57%)

7. To continue family’s religious traditions (37%)

8. I feel a religious obligation to go (31%)

9. To meet new people/socialize (19%)

10. To please my family, spouse, or partner (16%)[3]

Other than being obligated to go, I think these are all valid reasons to be in church. The best reason of all is that we want to know Jesus more, to become more like Him, to see Christ in others around us, and to share Christ with those who haven’t yet met him.

The Church is the Blood-Bought Bride of Christ

One of the common metaphors that the Bible gives for the Church is as the Bride of Christ. That may sound a little weird to the guys here but think about it for a second. There is a powerful lesson to learn from the comparison –

1. Like the strong bond between a husband and wife, an even more powerful bond exists between Christ and His Church.

2. As a wife submits to her husband, the Church submits to the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

3. As a husband is to love his wife, Christ loves the Church and gave His life for it.

4. As the groom eagerly waits for the marriage, Christ is awaiting the day when He comes for the Church.[4]

Revelation 19:7 NIV

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Yesterday I watched a video of a young couple getting married and it made me think about the future wedding of the Lamb. In the video I saw the excitement of the bride and groom as they prepared themselves for the wedding. There was laughter surrounded by friends and family. Great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents were escorted to their seats. The wedding vows featured the statement, “I choose you”, and I thought about how true that statement is for Christians. The minister laughed with them and told them how they would slowly see time differently. Days that seemed to move slow would turn into decades that they would remember. The minister pronounced them man and wife and the ceremony turned to a reception party where the danced, ate, danced, and sang.

What will the wedding of the Lamb be like? We’ll never know unless we are there.

[1] “Few Americans say their house of worship is open, but a quarter say their faith has grown amid pandemic”. Pewresearch.org;https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/30/few-americans-say-their-house-of-worship-is-open-but-a-quarter-say-their-religious-faith-has-grown-amid-pandemic/ accessed July 21, 2020.

[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (p. 38). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

[3] “Why Americans Go (and Don’t Go) to Religious Services”. Pewforum.org; https://www.pewforum.org/2018/08/01/why-americans-go-to-religious-services/ accessed July 21, 2020.

[4] Duffield, G. P., & Van Cleave, N. M. (2016). Foundations of Pentecostal Theology (Revised & Updated, Vol. 2, p. 112). Los Angeles, CA: Foursquare Media.