-
What Kind of Church Ought We To Be? NUMBER TWO
This is a second lesson with this same title. But the approaches are different. We together make up a local church. What kind of church are we? We speak not of size in numbers, wealth of the members, and certainly have no reference to denominational identity because the Lord's church is not a denomination. But we are concerned only with whether we have God's approval. Without that nothing else really matters. As we noted in the first lesson, regardless of what other people think or what we think of ourselves, what God accepts is what is important. We can know what God wants, expects, approves and condemns by studying the churches revealed in the New Testament such as the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Philippi, the seven churches in Asia and others. In this lesson we have compiled several traits which we are certain ought to characterize every congregation.
Authority
We must be a church where Christ is the supreme authority. One of the real weaknesses evident among present-day churches is the laxity toward authority. Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18), and is head of the church (Colossians 1:18). The church is not a democracy as some denominations boast.( All matters of faith have been settled and revealed in God's Word. God speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1,2), and we are to hear Him (Matthew 17:5). Too much in religion has been determined by what people want, like, prefer, traditions and human philosophies, feelings and other such unworthy standards. What we do must be "in the name of" Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17), and this demands a "thus saith the Lord." We must "speak as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11).
Worship
We ought to be a church of people who are faithful in worship. This is certainly not the case with many. Hebrews 10:25 still applies. It is a sin to forsake the assembling together. The question, "Do I have to attend all the services of the church?" never falls from the lips of faithful brethren. They do not consider worshiping God a "have to" matter but a "get to" matter. Faithful brethren never have to be begged to worship.
Liberal in Giving
Alongside these things, we must be a church that is liberal in giving. Prosperity may be the downfall of many professed Christians. We can become too selfish, indulgent, skimpy and tight-fisted to contribute as we should. Worldly pursuits can take first place. We live in a land of abundance and this can be a temptation to put too much confidence in material things. The secret formula to giving is to first give ourselves to God as did the early Christians (II Corinthians 8:5). You never have to beg people to give liberally who have given themselves to God, It comes naturally for them to give of their means.
Working
We ought to be a church that is concerned with doing the work that God gave the church to do. The work of the church is saving souls by the preaching of the gospel. Nothing is superior to that and nothing should be allowed to supplant that. This requires a knowledge of the gospel, a love for the Word of God, a love for the lost, and a determination to do this work. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," is still the charge to God's people. Too many churches already have detoured themselves from this thrust and have embarked on efforts of recreation, secular education, entertainment, and have become not much more than a country club. Doctrine is either ignored, ridiculed or suppressed, but getting numbers and money, having recreation centers which are called "family life centers" for fun and games, have taken over the efforts and energies of many. These things have no place in the work of the church, but are only indications of the extent of apostasy among brethren and the disregard to do what is authorized and not go beyond Scripture.
Singing That Lies
A problem in our time is the risk of singing lies. We sing "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord," but will not even be faithful in worship. "I Love To Tell The Story," we sing, but who have we told lately? "We ll Work 'Till Jesus Comes," and from the look of things some must believe He has come and now they have quit. "Rescue the Perishing," but how many can we name we have rescued in the past year? "Stand Up, Stand Up, For Jesus" has been heard in the halls of worship, but many seemed ashamed of the faith and the exclusive and inclusive nature of the gospel plan of salvation. Digression, compromise, support of false teachers, "go-along-ism" has captivated the mind and ways of many. Another song that ought to haunt us is, "Must I Go Empty Handed?" Has our record of reaching the lost been productive? So much effort over the past years has been directed toward fighting movements among us that destroy the faith that we have slackened the evangelistic fervor that should characterize the church.
Truth
We ought and must be a church where the truth is upheld. Regardless of whatever else we do, if we do not hold to the truth our efforts are for naught. Truth is under attack in society, religiously, politically, by denominationalists to the feminists, liberals, in and out of the church, in schools, homes, government, everywhere. Sacred values are denounced and being replaced by the revolution of man against God. Our task is~ the proclamation of truth. We must defend it, stand by it, live it, without compromise and appeasement to anyone, anytime, anywhere for any reason. It is tragic to see churches that once were known for their soundness and steadfastness now drifting~ with the currents of digression, seeking peace at the cost of truth, compromising with false teachers, going along definitely, ignorantly with error and apostasy. Schools, papers, preachers, elderships are being subverted under the barrage of "unity in diversity."
The church is not to seek the path that may be popular to the world, but the path the Lord has trod. That which attracts the most people is not necessarily that which is right. Many have failed to understand this and have concluded that numerical growth is success. Some make quite a display of large financial contributions, often the money being directed into efforts that are not even the work of the church at all. If a church does not teach sound doctrine, defend sound doctrine, and its members strive to live according to sound doctrine, whatever else may be said of it amounts to nothing because it is not approved of God.
Active
The Lord's church should be aggressive, zealous and consistent in its activity. We always have need to improve. But there is no reason to be impressed with "flash in the pan" explosions, gimmicks, booster schemes that bring reproach on the noble and sacred cause of Christ. To watch some churches operate you would think they are more like a circus than a congregation of the saved. It is also painfully noted that many churches that claim to be "conservative" in doctrine are dead because they do little to nothing for fear that they will do something wrong. Some of the wild and digression activities among us are provoked by gross inactivity among those who loudly shout for sound doctrine but do little. Doing nothing is already wrong. While lukewarm, haphazard, half-hearted approaches to the work of the Lord is reprehensible, we are expected to do more than just "keeping house and hold our own." At least we must be militantly persistent in trying to get the job done. Discouragements are bountiful in number, but we cannot afford to become weary in well doing. If we do not engage in the cause of Christ with interest, enthusiasm and dedication, just how do you think we shall ever impress anyone else to be concerned? It ought not take brethren weeks, months, even years to make decisions and be about the Father's business. Neither ought we confuse "busy-ness" with the Father's business. We are to be a people ready unto every good work and go about our work with diligence and with all our heart.
Many other traits mark a church as being what God approves, such as being Scripturally organized, with brethren having unfeigned love one for another, where members guard their tongues lest they sow seeds of strife and discord, with a exhibition of cooperation and concern for the welfare of others. Yes, you have heard all this said before. But I am reminded of the story told about Marshall Keeble who went to a place to preach in a gospel meeting. His first sermon was on repentance. His second sermon was also about repentance. Nobody commented to him about it, however, thinking he might have forgotten what he had preached earlier. But when his third sermon was also on repentance several confronted him and wanted an explanation why he did not preach something else. He said, "You have not done that yet, and that is why I keep preaching it." Preachers keep saying these things to brethren and some grow tired of hearing them, but so few are really doing anything about what they hear.
You read in the Bible about the churches in Rome, Philippi, Berea and many other places. Paul had words of commendation for many of them because of their faith, their assistance in spreading the gospel, their love and sincerity. He noted their willingness to accept and respond to words of correction. He was aware of their steadfastness and faithfulness to truth. If the Holy Spirit wrote a special letter to the church to which you belong, similar to the letters the Lord sent to the churches of Asia, what could be commended? What might be condemned? Let us be aware that the letters to the churches of the New Testament apply to churches today as far as teaching us what God expects of us. Whether God approves of the church to which we belong or not depends on the members, what they are, what they are doing, where they stand and the direction they are going. How is it where you attend?