The Local Church
Is it Dead, Dying, or Dynamic?
Part 1 – “The Examination”
Matthew 16:13-16
* Several years ago I read a book co-authored by Dr. Mac Brunson (Pastor of FBC, Jacksonville, FL) and Dr. Ergun Caner (President and Dean of Liberty Baptist Seminary). The book was entitled “Why Churches Die?” Have you ever considered the fact that local churches are dying? Look around us and see. In our area, over the past 10 years how many churches have closed their doors, merge, and/or disbanded? Furthermore, how many local fellowships are ‘holding on’ by the skin of their teeth? I do not say this to cast stone but rather to sober us to the stunning reality that the local congregation (by and large) seems to be dying if not dead.
* Why do I personally believe this? Because the average church depends are not really in the business of making disciples. For growth, they depend on generational growth and candidly, the death rate exceeds the birthrate for believers. Yet, consider the church which Jesus came for.
* Isn’t the church the Bride, Body, and Building of Christ and doesn’t He say, that HE will build His church? So, did Jesus get out of the construction business? Did He break off the engagement? Has He abandoned His own body? What has happened? I have another question.
* Why is it that at the same time people seem to be thinking more about their spiritual lives than they have in YEARS that the “local church” is not considered an option for those answers? And so, the local church seems to be dying or is already spiritually dead.
* Over the next weeks, I want to offer us some sobering thoughts on this subject. Let’s begin by reading (and being reminded of) Jesus’ first words about His church. (Read Text) I submit we might need to spend some time simply hovering over this passage of scripture to discover the divine power, purpose, and priority for the local church. However, that’ll have to wait.
* The picture of the model church seems to be given to us in Acts 2. Candidly, we need to read the entire chapter to get the picture, but let me give the “cliff notes” on it. They entire church (120 people) were together praying and seeking God when the Spirit of God fell with a tremendous sound (compare it to a tornado). Supernatural things began to take place and the entire town came to see what was happening. Here’s the part we Baptist don’t care for: The filling of the Holy Spirit impacted these people so drastically that the community accused them of being intoxicated (though it was 9am). This interaction gave Peter the opportunity to stand and preach the word. After He preached, He didn’t extend an invitation, but they were so impacted the anointing of the Spirit that they asked, “What must we do?”
* The result was that those 120 believers, working together, assisted some 3000 in coming to faith. Now, let’s pick up in verse 42 and following.
* Consider this; the Lord led this group of people to this church for a divine purpose and He used a people who were unschooled but not unspiritual. How different is the church game today?
* Consider this story in 3 parts; A young couple with a couple of preschool children come into a town and decide to find a church home. As soon as they walk into the first church they wife smiles with satisfaction as they hear the sounds of the organ. She loves the organ. They have notice that the property is well maintained and the older gentleman who hands them a bulletin is super friendly. UNTIL—they ask about the nursery. We don’t have one. We couldn’t get anyone to stay with the kids; it cost too much money, and stayed in a mess, so we closed it down years ago. STRIKE ONE.
* So not to be deterred, the young couple visits a second church. This church was about as friendly as they as ever seen. The nursery was alive and vibrant with children and the walls, painted with animals, said to the newcomers, “We love our kids and want you.” Sunday school was good. The service flowed so well and was so inspirational. The words were projected high on a screen and both husband and wife were deeply moved by the worship even before the pastor stood to preach. There was only was problem; obviously, they had sat in the section with the “church winers”. The only thing louder than the singing was the complaining. So the couple decided, “A divided congregation”, this isn’t for us. STRIKE TWO.
* The young couple is now a little disheartened so they decide to visit a little smaller church. This was good. The nursery was smaller, but very good. The worker was very helpful to them in finding their way around the building. The service, while not as inspiring as the last church was certainly good. Then the pastor spoke and was very fervent and Biblical. Wow, could this be it? When the service was over it was time for the quarterly business meeting. The treasurer quickly passed out the reports and discussed the finances and all seemed to go well UNTIL; NEW BUSINESS! An argument broke out over a line item for the mowing of the church-yard. The discussion grew into a debate and resulted in a heated argument, any warmth which the fellowship might have exuded, was now gone. STRKE THREE.
* Candidly, as I told those stories how many of us knew that each one would end in a difficulty of some kind? But here is the problem: Why is it that we expect church fellowship to be like this? Why is it okay? Why is it that people who have been raised in the church, taught the ways of God, been baptized as an expression of their faith in Jesus; why is it that these same people can act so ungodly? Why is it that fussing, fighting, and even feuding, are the norm instead of the exception? Why is the church dying?
* Dr. Brunson and Dr. Caner suggest it is because the “majority of churches and believers are infected with a disease, and they have gone untreated for too long. These diseases and pathologies are not physical. In fact, in many ways they are far more noxious than physical diseases. They are spiritual diseases—spiritual diseases in the body of Christ.” They go on to suggest that many who are infected exhibit very few symptoms, but are only carriers. Like “typhoid Mary”, they only spread the disease. These are called the “instigators.” They are the people who find a way to keep the fellowship in disruption and when the sickness spreads (I.E. the fight breaks out), they walk away as if they had nothing to do with it.
* What I want to do in the time which remains is take a snapshot, a flyover if you will, of 2 local churches in the New Testament from which we can see this disease in full bloom. Let’s look at the church in Ephesus & Corinth.
1. Examples for us to Consider
a. The church at Ephesus was launched by Paul in Acts 18. In short, after preaching for a short while, Paul left Priscilla and Aquilla there to continue the work and he went to Antioch and Galatia. Shortly, a very learned man named Apollos converted and came to Ephesus to assist in the work. After Paul’s 3rd missionary Journey, he came back to Ephesus and remained there for 30 months. During this time the scripture records that all the people of Asia heard the word of the Lord. But the church in Ephesus had several problems. We could talk about the riots in the society or the rottenness of the 7 Sons of Sceva, but the most important problem was happening INSIDE the church and these problems went on for years. We know this because several years later when Paul would write his letter to them, he gave some eye-raising words. (Review Ephesians 4). The entirety of the chapter almost reads like an indictment sheet, but if this isn’t enough to convince us of the problem in the church at Ephesus consider Paul’s letter to their pastor. In the first chapter is becomes obvious that Paul sees some of His former friends causing problems for the young pastor, Timothy. If you compare these words to Paul’s second letter to Timothy, Paul is pretty clear that these so-called leaders are like gangrene to the Local church. For the sake of time we will not visit all of the indictments and the text, but just see a few; a) the church was always arguing, even during worship and prayer (1 Tim 2:8), b) the women were dressing immodestly, like a party night (1 Tim. 2:9-10), c) they were mocking their pastor behind his back (1 Tim 4:12), d) those self appointed leaders were developing following within the fellowship and people were taking sides (1 Tim 4:1-2). The list goes on as does the destruction caused.
b. The church at Corinth is the poster child for a worldly church. They were arguing, taking sides, acting like babies, engaging in immorality, suing one another, having “women fights”, desecrating the Lord’s Supper and catering to the rich members, fighting over spiritual gifts, had chaotic services, and divided over leadership. They were not united in Love. One great example of their spirit and attitude is found in the reception of Paul’s letter. While in Macedonia, Titus brought Paul the church’s response to his letter. Paul recognized they were hurt by his letter and that was not his heart, his intent. While 2 Corinthians 7 hints that Paul make have done some good in this church, in chapter 10:10 is an interesting response. (Read 10ff) The truth is, some of the “shadow leaders” of Corinth seems to be calling Paul out and Paul responded with a firm hand of faith.
* These two examples of Local congregations in the first century should serve as a warning to us. Local Churches are dying like people die. Why? Because they refuse to examine themselves at the core level.
* Think about it this way; what if you begin to have a slight pain in your hip and you refuse to go to the doctor. What you don’t know is that you have bone cancer. It is eating away at your joints and being undetected and undeterred by treatment, it get into your spine, then your lungs, then your blood, and then you die. It could have been treated early on, but now it’s too late. How different it would be if, at the first sign of pain, you allowed the doctor to give you the “once-over” and he finds the problem, treats it, and you are back to full health.
* Scripture teaches us that if we examine (or judge) ourselves on earth we can avoid the same in heaven.
2. Examination for us to Complete – Let end with two thoughts;
a. First, Paul tells Timothy this; even though they may not listen, or understand, or respond, you continue to tell the truth. If they refuse to hear, fulfill what you are called to do.
b. Next Paul tells the church at Corinth this; with all you are doing, with you activities so perverse, with you so unwilling to repent and change your ways, “Examine Yourself—to see if you are truly in the Faith. Know yourself—inside and out and see if you pass or fail the test of faith.”
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