The church that we know today is in decline. Not only are numbers plummeting but the church is in rapid moral decline. Truth is no longer being preached from the pulpit and the church has mutated into an amalgamation of repugnant lukewarm people who claim they love Jesus but are tainted with the world. The church today is comparable to an antiquated country club or an organization whose namby-pamby mission statements are no different than that of a local grocery store. I could write a lengthy dissertation on why I believe the established church is dying and may never accurately pinpoint a single cause; however, one fact is for certain – the church today no longer resembles the church in Acts. So what is the church meant to be?
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
The church is meant to be the body of Christ
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 NKJV
For the past several months, I have had the privilege of attending Chi Alpha small and large groups at Texas Tech University. If there is one thing that young Christians understand better than most church people, it’s this – the church is not a building or an organization; it is a fellowship of believers. These college students are not accustomed to worshipping, praying, and receiving discipleship in a church building that most people are familiar with. Most of these activities are done in lecture halls on campus and in the homes of fellow believers. Regardless of where they meet, whether it be at the Student Union Building or at a Rosa’s Café, the church still functions the same. These young believers understand that the church isn’t dependent on a location. The church is a collection of people. The church is a family. The church is THEM.
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NKJV
Because we are the body of Christ, the church is supposed to look like Jesus. Today, the church has become indistinguishable from the world.
“I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church.” – Charles Spurgeon
The church is called to be set apart from the world. Many churches are tolerating practices that are clearly defined in scriptures as sin. God does not change nor does His standards. If God called something sin two thousands years ago; it is still sin today! God was holy before time began and God is still holy today. Because God is holy, He expects His church also to be holy.
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJV
In many congregations today, cliques divide the body of Christ. These cliques are composed of people who only greet and shake hands with members of their own group often ignoring the first time visitor. I should know because I have been one of these first time visitors! This should not be so! We are one body composed of many members who each should look like Jesus.
The church is meant to be a faithful church
“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” Acts 2:44-45 NKJV
Jesus’ ministry was marked with many miracles, showing compassion, and saving the lost. Before Jesus left this earth, He tasked the church with continuing His work.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
When we think of being “faithful”, most of the time we will compare this to regular church attendance and tithing. But being faithful also includes being obedient to the Lord’s work.
The greek word for church is the word ekklēsia. Ekklēsia is defined as a calling out or an assembly. As the church, we ALL have been called out to evangelize and make disciples. A huge problem with the established church today is very little is being done to reach the lost.
I follow a social media page called “Stop Playing Church.” Several weeks ago, they posted a sobering meme that really got me thinking. In the meme was a picture of a man on a golf course making a putt. The caption next to the golfer read “Today’s Christians.” In the background of the picture appeared to be a multi-million dollar three story resort that was engulfed in flames. The caption next to the inferno read “Lost Souls.” The golfer had his back turned to the blazing structure. Whether or not the golfer was aware of what was going on behind him is unknown but what is known is the golfer had more concern for his game than with his surroundings.
Maybe some Christians aren’t aware of the tragedies that are going on around us in this world. Or perhaps they are aware but they have become complacent with their own comfort and safety that they expect someone else to take care of it. Either way, hell is real and still burns hot! The pits of hell is growing in population every second that ticks away but it seems the established church as a whole care more about pot lucks and movie nights than reaching lost people on the path of damnation. Where is our concern and sense of urgency for the lost?
“If you are not concerned about your neighbor’s salvation, then I am concerned for yours.” – Ray Comfort
There is a lot of work to be done and until Jesus comes back or until we die, our work is not complete!
“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2 NKJV
The goal is to one day hear the words, “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). To be a faithful servant requires work on our part. James tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:20). It is not enough to sit on a pew for 20 years if we haven’t done a single thing for the kingdom. People have needs and the church was meant to meet those needs.
The church is meant to be a powerful church
“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:43 NKJV
One of the many things that followed the early church was signs and wonders. They cast out demons, healed the sick, and raised the dead. These were common events that took place on a daily occurrence. Nowadays we are privileged if we get to witness these kind of miracles at a revival or during extended meetings. God has provided us power through the Holy Spirit but the sad truth is this power is missing from a lot of churches today!
Jesus was the divine son of God and did some incredible things during the life of His ministry. Before He left this earth, He promised His disciples they would have that same power and to a GREATER degree.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12 NKJV
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV
It took one sentence of ten words to get twelve ordinary men to leave everything behind to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:17-22) and it took one sermon on the day of Pentecost to add three thousand souls to the church. (Acts 2:14-47). The reason is because of the power of the Holy Spirit! (Acts 2:1-4).
Unfortunately, now it takes three thousand sermons to win a single soul. The early church didn’t need programs, fancy equipment, and talented musicians to get people to respond. They had the power of the Holy Spirit. It was because of the Holy Spirit that Peter and John could heal a man who was crippled since birth (Acts 3:1-10) and it was because of the Holy Spirit that two uneducated men made the most powerful religious authority of the day marvel! (Acts 4:5-12).
Jesus had power which was made available to the early church and that power is STILL available to us now. Because of the Holy Spirit, multitudes of people responded immediately to the gospel and the church grew rapidly. It is my humble opinion that if the church would rise up and be the powerful church that it is meant to be, there wouldn’t be a single empty pew in our services. All it takes is authentic men and women of God who are full of the Holy Spirit and power to make a real difference in this world!
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV
I am reminded of an old chorus that we used to sing in the church, “We’ve got the power in the name of Jesus. We’ve got the power in the name of the Lord. Tho Satan rages we will not be defeated. We’ve got the power in the name of the Lord!”
The church is meant to be a praying church
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 NKJV
This verse is probably the simplest statement in the text yet the most significant without question. Before Jesus began His ministry He prayed. Before Pentecost happened, those in the upper room prayed. Prayer was the first thing the early church did but today prayer is the last thing the church does. It is now a last resort. Prayer was essential to the success and strength of the early church but prayerlessness is killing the church today and is the number one cause of lukewarmness. The church was meant to be a praying church!
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 NKJV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NKJV
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
There’s a popular song being played on Christian radio stations today and sung by many church worship teams that has a lyric that compares a melody to a weapon; however, prayer is our GREATEST weapon.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
There is power in prayer but sadly prayer is the most neglected practice in the church today. Prayer meetings are low in attendance and the love for praise and worship is one of the main reasons why prayerlessness is on the rise in the church today. If there’s one thing the church and especially young people are guilty of; it is prayerlessness. Prayerlessness is idolatry because everything else is more important than making time to fellowship with Jesus. Prayerlessness is truly the evidence of a backslidden church.
“The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church… at the toleration of sin in the Church… at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil.” – Leonard Ravenhill
It is time for God’s people to repent and seek His face!
Conclusion
Despite how the church looks today, I am here to encourage you all that there is hope. It is not too late to turn back to God. God is not done with His church and there is still time to repent. In this post, I mentioned four things that the church is meant to be: the church is meant to be the body of Christ, the church is meant to be a faithful church, the church is meant to be a powerful church, and the church is meant to be a praying church. So what does this mean for you and I?
If you are born again Christian and have accepted Jesus into your heart, YOU are the church. Therefore, YOU are meant to be a member of the body of Christ… YOU are meant to be faithful to God’s work… YOU are meant to live and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit… and YOU are meant to be a man or woman of prayer! I challenged you today to examine your heart and see if you have failed in any of these areas. If we are completely honest, most of us will agree that there is room for improvement in at least one if not all of these areas. So let us all be the church that God is calling us to be.
Joshua Hawk 