What Churches/Christians Are Missing Today

Secular -

There was a church where the preacher and the song leader were not getting along. This began to spill over into the worship service.

One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The song leader then led the song, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The song leader then led the song, “Jesus Paid It All.”

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The song leader then led the song, “I Love To Tell The Story.”

The preacher became very disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The song leader then led the song, “Oh, Why Not Tonight.”

As it came to pass, the preacher resigned and the next week and informed the church that it was Jesus that led him there and it was Jesus that was taking him away. The song leader then led the song, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”.

Historical/Cultural Context -

The book of 1 John is one of the five books in the New Testament that was written by John the Apostle, brother of James. They were known as the sons of thunder. This letter was written between A.D. 85 to A.D. 100. First John was written to a church or group of churches in crisis—churches who were being attacked by false teaching. Some individuals who had once been associated with the church had accepted heresy and had left the church. After they left they continued to spread their false teaching to the church. They went so far as to organize and send out itinerant preachers to various churches with the goal of converting those in the churches to their beliefs. This created confusion and plunged the churches into crisis. In response to this situation, John wrote 1 John, following that up with 2 and 3 John. His goal was to stop this false teaching and to bring comfort to the Christians in these churches.

Biblical Text -

1 John 1:1–2:2 NKJV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Christians Must Deal With Sin, Walk In The Kingdom Of Light, And Remain In Sync With Jesus.

Life Point- Christians Must Be And Remain In Sync With Jesus And Fellow Believers.

Exegetical -

1 John 1:1–4 NKJV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Homiletical -

John the Apostle, also known as the disciple whom Jesus loved, is testifying here to the power and love of our Lord.

In this section he uses phrases that show us he was an eye witness to Christ. He keeps using phrases like, “which we have seen,” “which we have heard,” “we bear witness.”

He is emphatic in His writing that what he writes is the truth from God and what he writes was inspired and empowered by Holy Spirit.

In the beginning he says, we heard and saw and we have touched and handled. This bears witness to the fact that Jesus was real and not some specter or spirit, as some were teaching in the church at this time.

He says they handled the Word of Life. Is he talking about the words of the Bible? No, the Bible had not been compiled yet. Was he talking about the Torah, which is the Hebrew scriptures, no; because they had that for centuries and the law did not bring life, but condemned the people with death because they couldn’t keep it perfectly.

Where else do we see this language? in the Gospel of John. Turn there with me, or make a note of it in your bulletin. It will be on the screen

I consider the Gospel of John to be the spiritual Gospel. I know that the others are spiritual too, but John gives us more insight into the Spiritual underpinnings of the events than, I think, the others do. Not a hill I am willing to die on, but just my opinion.

John 1:1–18 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John is already reminding them that the Gift of Jesus is eternal life. That this gift was manifested for us to have fellowship with God, and to one another. He declares that through this scripture and his reminder of fellowship is so that they may have joy in Christ that will be full.

in other words, John is not writing to condemn them, as it may seem in the section, but so that their life may be full in Christ.

Jesus is life. Those who possess this life have fellowship with other believers and that fellowship with the Father and Jesus the Saviour. Multiple times we are told to be of the same mind, think the thoughts of God, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and have the same attitudes.

Romans 15:6 NKJV

that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:2 NKJV

fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Ever met someone in the church who seems to be thinking other things than what everyone else is thinking? Maybe a little obstinate or arrogant?

These kinds of people, whom you just can’t understand how they come to some conclusions? Ever notice they are always negative?

It may be that they do not have true fellowship with God and the believers, so they are operating in the flesh and not the Spirit.

How do we get the mind of Christ?

Philippians 2:3–11 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He says to let this mind or let this attitude be in you. So how does one let it happen?

Ephesians 5:26–27 NKJV

that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

“washing of water by the word”

In Old Testament times there were ceremonial cleansings that would declare a person clean. That was a type and foreshadow of the cleansing we have in Christ.

We know that Jesus is The Word and that the Word He speaks is truth and life. It is about not just reading the Bible, but reading it carefully, reading it in context and meditating on it day and night.

It is also reading it prayerfully and with a spiritual eye that can only be read through the power of God.

Luke 24:44–45 NKJV

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Notice He opened their eyes, their understanding to comprehend the scriptures. If you have never had this experience, this spiritual insight.

#1. Check your salvation.

John 3:3 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

#2. Ask Holy Spirit to open your understanding of the scriptures for application to your life.

James 4:2 tells us that “you do not have because you do not ask.”

Matthew 7:7–11 NKJV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Illustration -

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible.

The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor.

"Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God, and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.

The preacher again approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."

"I did," replied the old cowboy.

"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.

"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church."

Life Point - Christians Are To Walk In The Kingdom Of Light.

Exegetical -

1 John 1:5–7 NKJV

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Homiletical -

So now John is gonna hit em with the message that God has asked him to deliver. “That God is light and Him is no darkness at all.”

That’s kind of a duh statement for you, but now he is going to expand that and them and us where we live. He is going to break some toes as it were.

if you say you are walking with and having a relationship with God, yet you walk in darkness you are a liar!

you don’t practice truth, you walk in darkness.

Darkness here can literally mean the kingdom of darkness.

2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NKJV

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

This has been used about marriage for a long time, but it goes beyond that. It goes into having a close relationship with someone.

If you know someone in the church who is walking in outright rebellion, as we saw in other books we have studied, we are to have nothing to do with them.

1 Corinthians 5:11–13 NKJV

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Do you know a busybody or church gossip? Well, you are to have nothing to do with them.

Do you know someone who claims to be a Christian and yet lives in immorality or drunkeness or swindles people for their money? AGAIN, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!

A good example of this is someone who claims the name of Christ, yet goes out and parties on Friday nights at the local bar and shows up to church on Sunday acting like nothing is wrong. This shouldn’t be! Yet it is happening every weekend in churches across America.

I am not talking about the unbelievers, but those who say they are believers.

However, if someone is walking in the light then they have fellowship with us and God. All sin is washed away. Our lives will show the fruit of forgiveness. Our lives will show us becoming more and more like Christ, on a daily basis.

What is this fruit that is grown through the power of Holy Spirit?

Galatians 5:22–26 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Let us walk in the Kingdom of God and not the Kingdom of the enemy of our souls.

Illustration -

Imagine a scenario in which you are lost in a forest during a cloudy night where the moon cannot give you its light. You don’t have your smartphone to be used as a flashlight. It is so dark that you cannot see the hand in front of your face. There is simply no light to be found. As you are wandering through the dark forest, you have now traveled so far that you have forgotten which direction you have come from.

Suddenly off in the distance appears a man making his way through the forest with his flashlight. Knowing that he may be able to help, you carefully make your way to him. Upon meeting the man with the flashlight he instructs you that he is very familiar with the forest and that he is able to help you navigate out of the forest back to your house. All that you need to do is follow him as he shines his light for you to see. The question I want to ask you is - will you follow this man who is able to give you light, or will you continue to walk in the dark though you know that the man with the light could lead you home?

So it is with our walk with Christ. Our knowledge of the light will do us no good unless we follow the light; unless we walk in the light of God.

Life Point - Christians Must Deal With Sin.

Exegetical -

1 John 1:8–10 NKJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Homiletical -

Have you ever met a Christian who refuses to apologize for the wrong they did or the harm they have caused. They in essence say they have no sin.

It is very rare someone will out-and-out say they have no sin. But I have heard of some saying this openly.

Humans, even saved ones, have the ability to self-deceive; even when it is pointed out to us.

The only way around that is to spend time in the Word of God, prayer and asking Holy Spirit to show us our sins or where we may be deceiving ourselves.

Others may try to point it out, but unless you are doing these things you won’t be open to it.

The promise is then given, that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us our sins. But not just forgive us, cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This has major implications for life. You see the sin is not just covered over, but taken away.

Think about it this way, If someone in that day had leprosy the were considered religiously defiled, socially thrown out and literally left to rot. They could not participate in normal society.

That is what sin does to us spiritually, but God not only forgives us, but cleanses us. Makes it disappear. That was the point of the coming of Jesus. To take our place on the cross to rid us from something far greater than leprosy. SIN.

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you can pay.

But God, came and took on flesh to forgive us and cleanse us. To restore us. Not only that, but then he came and dwells within us.

2 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV

who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

He not only restores back to the cleanliness, spiritual speaking, as it was in the days of Adam before they sinned; but also gives the Holy Spirit into our hearts as a seal, a promise that we belong to God. Both now, and forever!

There are those out there who have no conscious as we would say, or who won’t admit that they have a sin issues. They will say they have not done anything wrong. You will find this in the so-called atheists. They will say if it is true for you, doesn’t make it true for me. They say truth is relative. You know what that makes them?

Liars! Because they don’t want to be held accountable for their actions. You know who else can sometimes ignore their sin? Christians. Because they don’t want to admit they’re wrong.

We have a problem today in the churches in America. We have so-called “men and women of God” living in sin, yet trying to lead a church. The bigger problem is that Christians are letting them! They say they have no sin. So now they just do what they want, because their churches did not bring church discipline on them. You know what? The make God out to be a liar.

Sin isn’t fun to deal with, for yourself or others. But it is necessary to judge ourselves, and get right with God. You don’t hear a lot of sermons on sin anymore. We don’t call sin, sin any more. But, if we are honest, then we should be.

We need Jesus, we can’t do church or life without Him. For the Christian, Jesus is the be-all and end-all of all things.

Illustration -

43% of evangelicals do Not believe even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation.

Nearly half (46%) of evangelicals say everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.

Sin is sin. The smallest one will send you to hell.

Man is born in sin, he is not inherently good. Humans by nature are selfish and self-centered, which is sin.

Romans 5:12 NKJV

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Life Principle– Christians Must Deal With Sin, Walk In The Kingdom Of Light, And Remain In Sync With Jesus.

Call to Action – altar call….