Sermon Study Guides

Some people reject or ignore the church because it is exclusive. It claims to have a corner on truth and excludes those who believe or live differently than they do. But in order for any organization to exist and survive, its members must represent the beliefs and values of that organization. The church MUST consist of those who have committed their lives first of all to Jesus Christ. Christians are called to love everyone, but are not called to accept or condone beliefs or behaviors that are contrary to Scripture.

Some people are repulsed by the hypocrisy they see in the church. They focus wrongly on people who CLAIM to be Christians rather than on Christ. That is not a valid reason to reject Christianity. God has chosen to reveal Himself, His truth, His new community, His love and compassion THROUGH the church. True followers of Jesus are committed to living out His love, truth and values in the world. Because Christians don’t perfectly live the life God calls us to live doesn’t mean the problem is the church. People should not write off Christians and the church because they fall short.

Some people ignore the church because they want private religion, a spirituality that doesn’t include others. James says a private faith is a dead faith!

The Church matters …

1. because she matters to Jesus. The church was His idea. Jesus established the church and is committed to building His church. He said “I will build my church!” Notice He said it was HIS CHURCH. The church is His bride whom He loves so much that He died for her. To say you love Jesus and yet to reject or ignore the church is to reject Christ. If you have an issue with the idea of church, then you have an issue with Jesus.
2. because she gives attention to eternal issues. The church is the only voice that reminds us that this life is not all there is. The church deals with the eternal things of life, including the lifesaving and life altering good news of Jesus Christ. The church shows us HOW to enter into a real friendship with God, how to be forgiven and set free from sin. The church challenges us regularly from the Scriptures to ask, “What am I staking my life on? What am I giving my life to that is going to matter in eternity?”
3. because she is the community through which Christ is bringing hope and healing to our hurting planet. Whenever and wherever Christianity was lived out authentically, PEACE, GOOD WILL and JUSTICE reigned. In Acts 2, the early church met regularly to not only encourage, care for and pray for one another, but to challenge one another to serve and care for their neighbors. They sold their possessions and gave to anyone as they had need. They fed the hungry, cared for the sick, prayed for and encouraged the hurting. Throughout history Christians were known as people who helped the widows, orphans, the sick, prisoners and victims of natural catastrophes. Christians established schools and orphanages, medical centers and hospitals all over the world. These institutions had virtually not existed before the church age.

When we sincerely worship our LORD, we will increasingly REFLECT who HE is in our lives by actions such as: being honest in a world of dishonesty, forgiving in a world of unforgiveness, being gracious in a world of anger and resentment, being peaceful in a world of conflict, and being generous in a world of greed.

That kind of church matters!