I have a very serious question to start us off with this morning. Why is Christianity on the decline here in America? I am sure there are probably as many answers as there are people.
• Could it be because Christianity is competing with so many other religions?
• Could it be because TV and Film always portrays Christianity as sticks in the mud?
• Could it be because most of the people you see in leadership positions do not show much Christianity?
• Could it be because preachers are not preaching the Word of God?
• Could it be because we live in a society where there is so much to do and so little time to do it all?
• Could it be because the cost of living is so high so much focus has to be on making a living?
I am sure it could be any of those answers and so many more, but there is a much more basic answer. So let me ask this question another way.
Why are churches in America on the decline, baptisms on the decline, and professions of faith on the decline? You may say that is kind of the same question Bro. Scott and I would agree but there is a little difference. Some churches are not on the decline.
• Could it be because some churches don’t have the financial resources of other churches?
• Could it be because some churches have better preachers than other churches?
• Could it be because some churches are in a better location than other churches?
• Could it be because some churches have so many other churches close by that they are trying to get the same people?
I am sure it could be any of those answers and so many more, but there is a much more basic answer.
I am going to ask you a series of questions but before I do I ask that everyone bow their head and close their eyes. No one looking around the answers to these questions are between you and God but I want you to physically answer these questions not just hear them and not respond. I want you to honestly, before God this morning, answer these questions, not with your churchy, pharisaical, this is what the answer should be response, but with a from the heart, God’s honest truth answer this morning.
• Are you a born again Christian?
• Do you want to see lost people saved?
• Do you want to see this church grow?
• Do you want to know what the problem is?
• Do you want to fix the problem?
With heads bowed and eyes closed listen as I read our text this morning.
READ TEXT
Before I give you the basic answer to the question I want you to understand that I am not standing before you as someone who has it all worked out, someone who lives a perfect life, folks there are even some of you that have a better grasp on this than me. But I am standing before you as a man who has surrendered his life to God to be a messenger on God’s behalf to His people. I am standing before you as a man who loves each and every one of you and wants to see you grow into the man and woman God wants you to be.
Now having said that let me re-ask the questions for this morning and then give you the most basic answer. Why is Christianity on the decline here in America? Why are churches in America on the decline, baptisms on the decline, and professions of faith on the decline? The answer, YOU!
What is Christianity? Is it just some religion that people can choose out of many? NO, if it is then it is not worth anything. No Christianity is people who have had a personal encounter with God and have committed their life to Him. If there is a problem with Christianity, then it is a problem of the people who claim to be one.
What is Church? Is church a place we come to meet, greet and eat? Is church something we do? Is church a place we go? NO, church is the people of God (Christians) coming together to do the will of God. So if there is a problem with Church, then it is a people problem not a money problem, or a program problem, or a location problem.
So then if Christianity is people who have had an encounter with a living God and Church is those people coming together to do with will of God and you have said you are a Christian then you are a part of the problem. People do not view Christians or Church by what they see on TV or the movies, they view them based on what they see in your life. Christianity’s problem is not that it is competing with the world and all the world has to offer, the problem is the people who are Christianity are more involved in the world than they are in relationship with the God they once had an encounter with. The Church’s problem is not that there are not enough lost people to go around, or not enough money to go around, or a shortage of people telling you if you do this program or that one, if you go and knock on doors, if you do this or that you will grow. The problem is church is about you and not about God. It is about your will being done not about God’s will being done. It is about you getting your needs met not you meeting God’s needs.
The problem of today is no different that the problem Jesus was facing with the religious people of His day. The very basic answer to the question is this – the problem with Christianity and the Church is that there are too many people who have a religion and not enough people who have a relationship. That is I believe at the heart of what Jesus was saying to the religious people of His day and I believe what He is saying to you this morning. So let’s look at what Jesus says:
I say I am a Christian. Vs. 31
• Just because you say you are a Christian does not make it so.
• I can say I am a doctor but you don’t want me operating on you.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
• There are many who claim to be Christians but have no more of relationship with God than I do with the President.
What do others say? Vss. 32-33
• Ever wonder why so many people today will say, “I would not go to that church they are nothing but hypocrites”? Yes it is just an excuse but there is also so truth to it. People call themselves Christians but if others cannot see it then we look like hypocrites (NO we are hypocrites).
• What do others say about you?
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? Luke 4:22
We do not let what people say decide how we live but what people say is important. Vs. 34
• What other people say is not always accurate but when it comes to Christianity others should see it in us.
• We should not live based on what others say, but if we are living the Christian life others should call us Christians and not just us calling ourselves Christians.
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26
Are you a burning and shining light? Vs. 35
• Are you a burning light? Are you someone that people who live a sinful life do not want to be around? Not because you are going to demean them or say things that hurt. Not because you are going to berate them with scripture about what they are doing is wrong. But they don’t want to be around you because your life convicts them, not your words, your life.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:20
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14
• Are you a shining light? Does your life show people what Jesus can do in a life given to Him? Not can you tell them what a person should do. Not can you beat them over the head with scripture showing them their mistakes. Not even can you give them scriptures on how they can be saved. Does your life show them that Christ can make a difference?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
What do your works say? Vs. 36
• How does your life measure up? Keep in mind this is not a look at do you make mistakes we all make them. Does what you do, the way you live, day in and day out say you are a Christian?
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. Matthew 12:33
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8
• How much of what you do on a daily basis could you honestly say Jesus would do if He were here?
• How much of what you say can you honestly say Jesus would say if He were here?
• How about the way you treat people?
What does God say? Vss. 37-39
• Do you hear His voice?
Adam, Noah, Moses, Samuel, Peter, Saul etc…
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
• Do you have His word abiding in you?
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11
How can I tell what God would say? Vs. 42
• Is your life marked by the love of God?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3
Have you been part of the problem? Don’t let Jesus say of you what He said to the religious people of His day. Vs. 40. Come to Jesus today. Don’t be religious have a relationship. Do say you are a Christian show it so that others will say it about you. Don’t profess Christianity possess a life that shows it. Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Today decide you are no longer going to be part of the problem. Decide today you are going to be part of the solution. Let the LOVE of God fill you till your cup runneth over for then people will see Christ in you and will call you Christian.
