Being a Christian (10)

Tonight we are in the last chapter of our Bible study book and I pray that this has been a helpful study for you! I’ve read this book several times over the last few years and it always impacts me in a different way each time I read it. I’m so encouraged by the number that we’ve had for this study and I’m excited to see how we grow spiritually in the studies to come. Tonight’s study is a timely study for our church as we find ourselves getting ready to launch a new members class the first of May and having completed a busy Easter season with pageant. This church has been busy and we’ve been blessed to minister to literally thousands of people just this month! As we reflect on all that God has done and is continuing to do, we have no option but to be thankful and rejoice at His kindness. Tonight we’re going to look at how the Gospel impacts our church and why the local church matters to much. As we begin, let’s think through a couple of questions this evening:

What is the purpose of this church?

Have fun?

Be comfortable?

Glorify God?

I like having fun and I’d rather be comfortable than uncomfortable, but we know that the answer is to glorify God. The church exists to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, share the love of Jesus with others, and everything that we do as individuals and as a body must be done to point others to Jesus Christ. Why is it so easy to get our purpose wrong as a church and think that the church exists to do things the way that we want instead of primarily being about glorifying God?

Temptation. Preferences. Tradition. We have to remember that this church and the global church exists supremely to glorify God and point people to Jesus Christ. The methods that we go about doing those things will without question change, but the message and mission will never change.

Question: How many Americans do you think profess to be Christians?

Pew Research notes that slightly over 70% of Americans at least claim to be Christians. This includes Catholics, Mormons, and other groups that we have significant doctrinal disagreements with. With that said, roughly ¾ Americans claim to be Christian.

Question: How many Americans do you think attend church on a weekly basis?

Statista notes that 23% of Americans attend church every week, 12% attend once a month and 53% attend seldom to never.

Question: What does it say about our nation that many people claim to follow Jesus but never come to church?

We have a radically different view of what it means to be a follower of Jesus than what is found in the New Testament!

Many people want to do things on their own terms and how they see fit.

Many people don’t like community and accountability.

Question: Think about our church. What are some strengths of our church? How have you benefitted from being a part of FBC Salem?

Many of you received a “Church evaluation” questionnaire on Palm Sunday and this is one of the questions on it and I believe that there are many “right” answers for this question. This is a church with many strengths and I can say that honestly because I’m still new and made a list of them back in October. This is a church that loves people. This is a church that loves its community. This is a church with a wonderful location and facility. This is a church that has gifted leaders. This is a church that is growing for the right reasons. Lindsey and I have benefitted so much over these 6 months of being members here from getting to know you all more and by having a place to dig roots and call home. As we continue with this study, continue to think of the ways that God has blessed our church and ways that we can continue to bless our community.

Lesson Video

Question: Think of the story Dr. Allen opened with. Have you ever encountered someone with a similar mentality?

Mentality of I’m a Christian but I don’t attend church… Mentality found on pages 119-120.

Yes! Lots of people say that Christianity is all about a personal relationship, which is true, but it is meant to be lived in community with others! We cannot miss that important truth. So many Americans believe that they can be a faithful follower of Jesus and be divorced from Jesus’ bride: the church.

How can we speak the truth in love to these people as Eph 4:15 instructs us to?

We lovingly remind them that Jesus wants us to be a part of a local church. That this is the pattern laid out before us in the Bible!

Question: Why are some people deceived into thinking that they are “saved” simply because they come to the same church that their great grandparents came to?

So many people believe in various man-made traditions that are not true. You cannot be saved simply by your name appearing on a role sheet or because you attend church 90% of the time. That is not what saves you!

This is what Dr. Allen is talking about regarding an institutionalized mindset where it’s all about religion and doing things for the sake of doing things. This isn’t a Biblical mindset because it’s about more than simply doing things… It’s about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Question: On the other side, what is potentially dangerous with the statement, “It’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship?”

The potential danger with this statement is that we don’t view church as being important at all. There is a potential “consumer” mentality that can arise with this mindset. If you view your walk with Christ in this regard then you can float around based upon all sorts of other reasons and you never get plugged in because it’s all about yourself and Christ. The New Testament Church is all about community and you using your gifts in the local church to help others! Yes, we must have a relationship with Jesus Christ, but Christianity absolutely is a religion.

Question: As we read the New Testament, is the local church important?

Certainly! It is emphasized throughout the New Testament and many letters are directed especially for the local church with instruction and guidance.

Acts shows us how the early church exploded and gathered consistently to teach the Word, pray, observe the Lord’s Supper, and encourage one another.

Question: Please read the quote by Jonathan Parnell at the bottom of page 120. Do you agree with him?

Yes. This can be taken to an unhealthy extreme, but we should view our church membership as a very important thing in our lives as we witness with others and invite them to join us in worship.

Question: Please read John 10:7-11. What is the great news in these verses for us as Christians?

Christ is our shepherd and He laid His life down for us, His sheep. We are His flock.

Question: Allen notes that the sum is greater than its parts. How does this principle apply in the local church?

Certainly it is true for the church. Paul in 1 Cor. 12:12-31 talks about the idea of the local church being the body of Christ and how we all have an important role to play. We are stronger together than we could ever be apart and we must share that truth with others who disagree or who are playing the lone ranger Christian. That’s exhausting and impossible! You need others and we need you.

Question: At the end, Dr. Allen noted that church involves gathering to worship and scattering to witness. Which part is easier for you? Which part is more difficult?

Scattering to witness is harder. I get adrenaline pumping every Sunday morning to preach the Gospel and I’m excited to worship with my church family corporately. It can be difficult to scatter because you’re on your own. However, it is even harder to witness without the corporate dimension and with people holding you accountable.

Question: Why is it important to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect church?

Because people are people. They’ll always look for something new and trendy if it is up to them. The fact remains that churches are made up of people and people are sinners, therefore, there is no such thing as a perfect church. We’re all in this together. We are all imperfect and we will all mess up and make mistakes. We’re not always going to see eye to eye about things. Rather than leaving to another church immediately when things don’t go our way, though, we must remember that there isn’t a perfect church out there. There will always be differences of opinions and styles and preferences. We’re all in this together and we all have the same mission – to make disciples and to grow in our walk with the Lord.