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Church Tragedies

(Adapted from a sermon by Alex Caldwell)

Intro:

The church was dearest thing on Earth to Paul
He was concerned about the church (II Cor 11:28)
Paul likens the church to a building (Eph 2:19-22)

He used this figure to emphasize its foundation or cornerstone, which is Jesus Christ.

Emphasized the function by likening to a body (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23)
In Eph 5, Paul compares the relationship to husband and wife (25-33)

Paul was sold on church. Had high regard for church. How about you? What does church mean to you?

Holy Spirit revealed mystery of church to Paul (Eph 3:3;1:9). Showed Paul that it was God’s plan to work in & thru church to save souls of host men; & to mature and develop Christians.
Paul also foretold time would come when there would be tragedy & days of difficulty for church (Acts 20:28-30) He predicted many false teachers would come from within.

There are some tragedies in today’s church that need to be exposed & dealt with if the church is to be as God would have it.

I. Tragedy Of “Unattended Church”

A. Most (60%) of Americans claim church membership of some kind. Very few attend on a regular basis (10% on Sunday AM, 2% on Sunday PM, 1.5% Midweek)

One major reason for poor attendance is failure to put 1^st things 1^st.

1. One industrialist said, “I can hire men to do anything but 2 things: think & do things in order of importance.

2. Like Ephesians of old – many Christians have left 1^st love – Rev 2:4-5

When we leave 1^st love, not hard to leave the church that He loved and gave Himself up for.

3. He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Matt 6:33) Literally means keep on seeking 1^st and foremost the kingdom of God.

4. Even likened kingdom to treasure / pearl of great price (Matt 13:44-46). Christ gave us His example in I Pet 2:21; Luke 4:16

An Unattended church can have an impact on Unfaithful Christians

1. How can you please and worship God? (John 4:23-24 )

2. Those who don’t attend remain ignorant (Hosea 4:6)

3. Revelation 2:10

If we don’t enjoy being in God’s presence now, what makes us think we’ll Heaven? II Cor 3:18

Worship Inspires Us
Worship should be time of restoration

1. 23^rd Psalm tells us that God can restore our souls

2. We need to be rejuvenated

3. Worship should be time when we find refuge from sorrows, trials, and the tribulations of life.

Services enable us to carry out our God-given obligations to one another (Heb 10:24-25)
Worship prepares us for heaven. If we don’t enjoy worship now, we would be miserable in heaven (Ps 122:1)

II. Tragedy Of “Unbowed Knee”

A. The unbowed knee will bring tragic results to the life of a Christian.

1. Jam 4:2 says, “Ye have not, because ye ask not”

2. A failure to pray robs one of many blessings

Someone asked Winston Churchill why he’d chosen certain man to be his biographer. He replied, “He is the only one who asked!”

3. Brethren, we must ask. Christ said, Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you (Matt 7:7)

We are commanded by God to pray always

1. Luke 18:1; Eph 6:18; Rom 12:12; Jam 5:16

The early church prayed

1. Acts 6:4; Acts 4:31; Acts 16:25

Prayer & preaching = love & marriage, horse & carriage, faith & works. Where you find one, will always find the other.

III. Tragedy Of “Unread Book”

A. John 5:39

B. Matt 22:39

1. Many today are just like the Pharisees

2. Many churches are in the same boat! (Hos 4:6; Eph 5:17)

C. We need more churches like those in Berea (Acts 17:11)

D. The Bible is the greatest love letter ever written. Why?

1. God: “I love you. I loved you enough to send my only begotten Son. He left the Ivory Palaces of Heaven. He left all the honor & glory of heaven and came to this sin cursed earth to die on the cross for you and me. So we will not burn in a devil’s hell throughout eternity.”

2. He established His church. Gave us His plan for salvation that is easily understood. He gave us a spiritual road map to guide us from earth to heaven.

E. Paul’s advice to Timothy is applicable to us all. He said, “…give heed to reading…”(I Tim 4:13)

1. II Tim 2:15; Eph 5:17

2. II Pet 3:18 – only way to grow is study and meditation; I Pet 2:2 – word is pure milk

F. We need the Bible in life (Ps 119:9, 11. 130, 165)

1. Let us say what the songwriter declared, “Give Me The Bible”

IV. Tragedy Of “Un-confessed Sin”

Christians do sin. We can’t live above sin.

1. Doctrine of once saved always saved is absolutely, completely and totally FALSE.

2. Heb 3:12-13; Gal 5:4; I Cor 10:12; I John 1:8-10

What do Christians need to do with their sins?

1. Acts 8:21-24; Jas 5:16

2. Some sins need to be confessed privately and some publicly.

3. Private sins not to be confessed to Priest, but to God through our Mediator – Christ (I Tim 2:5)

V. Tragedy Of “Unexpressed Love”

Christians are to love God with all heart, mind, soul, & strength (Matt 22:37; Mk 12:30-31)

1. Love is of no value unless expressed. What has happened to us?

a. We go to services for years and are dry eyed and cold-hearted.

b. Things that used to move saints to tears no longer have any effect on us.

When was the last time you told God how much you love Him?

1. Christ said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15; I John 5:3)

Brethren, how long since you last told another Christian how much you love and appreciate them?

1. We should be known for our love for each other (John 13:34-35)

2. The Pagans declared, “Behold how they loved one another!” They were speaking about Christians.

Brotherly love is explained in I Pet 1:22-25

1. Rom 12:9-12; I John 3:14-15; I John 4:20

Conclusion:

A. I ask brethren, what does your church attendance say about your priorities?

What does it say about your heart?
How long has it been since you seriously prayed to God?
How long since you seriously studied the Bible?
Are there sins that need to be confessed?
How long since you told God and your fellow Christians that you loved them?
There is one more tragedy I should have mentioned – the un-obeyed gospel.

1. II Cor 6:2; II Thes 1:7-9; Heb 3:15