Presented June 7, 2009 Return to Community Church Main Page LISTEN TO THIS SERMON
THE COMMUNITY CHURCH MOVEMENT (3)
Why I Am Concerned!
Today we continue
and conclude our study on The Community Church movement.
We have identified what this movement is and we have noted some
errors associated with this movement including the fact that it is
driven by men, erodes the purpose of true worship, promotes a casual
attitude and softens or limits the message of the gospel through
compromise and catering to what is wanted (not what is needed).
Today I want to conclude this study by going a little deeper and
noticing some reasons we need to be concerned about this movement and
others similar to it.
I.
Good intentions
a.
Let it be understood, I
do NOT question the good intentions of these churches nor their leaders.
They believe they are doing a good work (and in reality they are)
and sincerely believe they are doing the right thing.
But is it the right thing?
Is it according to God’s pattern for the church?
Are good intentions enough in God’s eyes?
b.
Good intentions are not enough –
i.
Matthew
7:21-23 – it is not enough to say, ‘Lord, Lord…” you must DO the will of
the Father.
ii.
2 Samuel
6:1-8, Uzzah as he stilled the ark was struck dead.
The Ark of the Covenant was carried on a new cart created at
David’s instructions. I am
convinced that David thought God would be pleased with his efforts.
BUT he did NOT inquire of the Lord.
Further, there is no question Uzzah had the best of intentions when he
kept the Ark from falling to the ground, but he still disobeyed God and
was punished as a result.
iii.
Paul had
good intentions – Acts 23:1 where he said, “Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this
day.”
iv.
Romans
10:1-4, Paul notes that some of his Jewish brethren, who HATED the
Christian faith and did all they could to destroy it, had a zeal for
God. Could they have
reasoned that the end justifies the means?
Were their good intentions to preserve the Law of Moses
acceptable reason to act as they did?
Paul called it their own righteousness.
Is that NOT what we find in the watered down gospel of the Community
Church movement?
v.
“There
is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Prov. 14:12
c.
Quite
frequently, having good intentions is not good news. What it usually
means is that something was done wrong that needs to be corrected.
In this life, perhaps you have the chance to redo it and make it
right (like the mulligan in golf).
But when you stand before God in judgment, IF you are not right
you will have to answer and then it will be too late.
II.
The Success of Such Movements
a.
A
desire to be like everyone else.
Because of
the phenomenal success of the
community church/mega-church movement, members of various
denominations are asking, “How do they do it?”
We find that many denominational
congregations are rethinking the way they teach based on the community
church model.
Rick Warren’s approach based upon his book, The Purpose Driven Church,
has been adopted as a model by multitudes of churches as their website
describes, “those large and small, denominational and
non-denominational, charismatic and non-charismatic, new plant and
well-established, urban and rural.”
The website states that more than 400,000 leaders in 22 languages
have been directly trained to follow this model.
On another page of the website we find, “Purpose
driven dovetails easily into the polity of many denominations.”
http://www.purposedrivenchurch.com/en-US/AboutUs/WhatIsPD/What+is+PD.htm
http://www.purposedrivenchurch.com/en-US/AboutUs/WhatIsPD/7+Myths+of+PD.htm
My point is that this movement is having an influence among various
denominations.
b.
I wonder,
are some churches of Christ
asking these same questions? I am fearful they are!
Some congregations are seeking to incorporate whatever elements
they can justify in their own minds.
We are finding churches of Christ that are seeking to change
whatever they need to change to make them more acceptable to the
community. Some are
changing their name (removing ‘church of Christ’ from their identity for
the same reasons as Oak Hills in San Antonio, TX - because it is
offensive), making their worship services more contemporary and
appealing, rethinking moral issues (always toward being more
permissive), reinventing standards of authority and changing anything
they can. The problem with
this is that many of these congregations are losing their
distinctiveness and blending in more and more with the denominations
around them.
And IT IS WHAT THEY WANT!
c.
Such is desiring, “to be like the nations around us”.
Remember why Israel wanted a king?
1 Samuel 8:5 finds Israel approaching Samuel, after corruption
among his sons (8:2-3), the elders request, “Look
you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king
to judge us like all the nations.” When
Samuel warned them about what would happen if they made a king for
themselves, “nevertheless the
people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, ‘No, but we
will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and
that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.’”
(8:19-20)
These kings became the downfall of the nation – including division into
two nations and eventual removal from God’s sight and the people
followed after these men and their evil ways.
What was the proper solution to the corruption the people saw?
It was to go BACK to God’s law and restore what was lacking.
It was NOT to conform to the
ways of the world AND their false religions.
Are the trends we are seeing today
any different?
When we look at denominational or inter-denominational success
and wonder, “How do they do it?”
We better be careful!!!!
When we want to be like everyone else (or be more acceptable to
denominations and their errors) we are going to find ways to compromise,
or at the least, manipulate scriptures in our favor (see 2 Peter 3:16).
d.
God’s view of success is not the same as man’s view.
Don’t get caught up in the world view of success – how many people, how
fancy the building, how much money you have, how many ministries your
are managing, how well known you are in the community, etc.
Those are ALL superficial and MAN DRIVEN.
God looks at the heart and if you are obeying Him (Matt. 7:21-23).
Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “’For My
thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways’ says the
Lord. ‘For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts higher than your thoughts.’”
Hosea 14:9 says, “Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent? Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are RIGHT; the righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.”
Remember again Eph. 3:10-11, “to
the intent that the manifold
wisdom of God might be made known by the church…according to His
eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The church demonstrates God’s all encompassing wisdom.
e.
I
am not opposed to reexamination of the way we do things.
NOR am I opposed to innovations.
I know of sound churches that now broadcast their services live
over the internet. They
record lessons and post them for anyone who wants to hear.
And that is just the internet.
If such is expedient I believe it ought to be considered.
In fact, I believe that
reexamination is both scriptural and necessary.
2 Corinthians 13:5 calls for us to examine ourselves as to
whether we are in the faith.
The question, “What are we going to do to win more people?” is a valid
question that we OUGHT to be asking ourselves.
Furthermore, I am
concerned with churches that DON’T take time to see if they are doing
things properly or if they can be done in better ways (i.e. are
there other scriptural hymns available, is the Lord’s Supper treated as
a mere ritual or is adequate thought put into its purpose, and are the
sermons and classes that are taught as effective as possible, etc.) and
I am equally concerned with churches that have placed themselves into a
rut where they will not consider anything beyond, “that’s the way we
have always done it.”
Isn’t that what true restoration is about?
HOWEVER, I am very concerned when
the reason we “rethink” our beliefs is to become more appealing to
larger numbers in the community, whether it be doctrinal
tolerance or our organizational structure.
If you have to compromise the truth OR cater to the whims of
those who are not really interested in the truth – what have you
accomplished?
You cannot be “user-friendly” and fearlessly proclaim “the whole counsel
of God” at the same time.
The gospel offends some people – PERIOD!
III.
Are We Losing Our Distinction?
a.
“Thus
says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths,
where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your
souls.’ But they said, ‘We
will not walk in it.’”
(Jer. 6:16)
2 Kings 22:8-9, “Then
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the
Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.’
And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
So Shaphan the scribe went to the king (Josiah
- TT)…Now it happened, when
the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his
clothes”(11). The next
chapter (23) records Josiah restoring TRUE worship by applying what was
in the book.
Nehemiah 8:13-18 records the Israel returning after Babylonian captivity
that Ezra reads the book and the people discover that they had not
observed the Feast of Tabernacles.
So following the instructions of “The book of the Law of God”
(18) they reinstituted the feast.
We are told in vs. 17 that the feast had not been kept since the
days of Joshua (900-1000 years earlier) but with the Law of God they
restored TRUE WORSHIP!
b.
When the
restoration movement took hold a couple of hundred years ago, the desire
was to set aside all human creeds and return to the New Testament
pattern. It is a “most
wholesome doctrine” that can insure we are doing what God wants.
There has been and always will be much debate on some of the
finer points of restoring the New Testament pattern, but for the most
part scriptures are VERY clear on what we are to do, how we are saved,
what the purpose of the church is, etc.
Much of what they stood for caused them to be criticized by the
denominations for their doctrinal stands.
But they did not let that deter their goal to RESTORE the New
Testament church.
c.
For many decades churches of Christ,
such as this one, have been willing to set themselves apart from the
denominational world even though it meant being ostracized and
criticized in various ways.
We have been called a cult, Campbelites, elitist, and uncooperative.
BUT that didn’t matter!
Why? Because we know
the truth will bring a sword that will separate those who sincerely love
the truth from those who prefer the teachings of men (cf. Matthew
10:34-39, Heb. 4:12). You
might say it comes with the territory of standing for the truth of your
convictions. (Doesn’t such
put you in the same class as Jeremiah and Elijah, Joshua, Moses, and
don’t forget Jesus and Paul?)
BUT in the past few decades we
have been seeing an erosion of that distinction as many
congregations reexamine their purpose and look for ways to be “less
offensive” or “more accommodating.”
d.
I am
fearful that we are seeing some congregations now that are more
concerned about distancing themselves from their brethren in
“traditional churches” than they are about distinguishing themselves
from the denominational world.
They want to get as CLOSE to “the line” (between truth and error) as
they can without crossing over it.
What is the problem with this?
A couple of weeks ago I was talking with someone about that line
between right and wrong and what the problem is when we start seeing how
close to the line we can get without crossing over it. It was observed
that what often happens is that
we have a tendency to move the
line! And it is
NEVER for the better!
As Jeremiah condemned Judah, the Lord said, “Because
My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to worthless
idols. And they have caused
themselves to stumble in their ways, from
the ancient paths, to walk
in pathways and not on a highway…” (Jer. 18:15)
Proverbs 22:28 noted, “Do not
remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.”
e.
Have we lost our distinction?
We began this study with
1 Cor. 14:7-8 says, “Even
things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound,
unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be know what
is piped or played? For if
the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?”
2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore
come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”
Our Lord purchased His church which His own blood!
It is HIS church, not ours!
Ephesians 5:25-27 notes
that “Christ also loved the
church and gave Himself for her, that He
might sanctify and cleanse
her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to
Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
but that she should be holy and
without blemish.”
Titus 2:14 says that
Christ “gave Himself for us, that
He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His
own special people, zealous
for good works.” 1
Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people,…”
The KJV in both of these verses
uses the word,
peculiar which means we
are “God’s chosen people in whom
he has a special interest, one which exceeds His common concern for
mankind in general.” (WS Dictionary).
Does the world see that difference?
f.
BRETHREN, NEVER be ashamed of what sets you apart from the world!
NEVER be ashamed of our owner or His name!!!!
We ought to proudly call ourselves the church of Christ!
I do NOT understand why anyone would NOT want to be identified by
that name!!!
IV.
It is another assault on the everlasting gospel of Christ
a.
Revelation 14:6 makes reference to “the everlasting gospel” which was to
be preached to those dwelling upon the earth by an angel.
We KNOW that the gospel has been “once, for all, delivered to the
saints” (Jude 3).
1 Peter 1:24-25 tells us that while grass and flowers die, “the word of
the Lord endures forever.” AGAIN Galatians 1:6-9 warns us to NOT preach
a different gospel.
b.
Far too
many churches today are choosing to take a less “offensive” approach to
the Bible. As we have noted
they have watered down the gospel.
This is especially true in the Community Church movement and
similar movements (positive preaching, house-church, United Church of
Christ, etc.). Their main
services will NEVER broach certain subjects, i.e. the one’s that offend.
Consider this in contrast to what Paul told the Ephesian elders, “For
I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
(Acts 20:27) In vs. 20 he
said, “How I kept back nothing
that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and
from house to house.”
c.
To be
fair, many Community churches will have more in depth studies in smaller
and more specialized classes.
But they make a distinction between the “seeker service” and the
membership. In worship
services to God I do not find that distinction in the Bible.
d.
What is
wrong with preaching only portions of the gospel in public meetings and
saving the meat and controversy for more private occasions (Bible
classes, etc.)? The public
worship may be the ONLY chance you have to teach someone.
In my observations, those who are weak in the faith are usually
the ones who miss Bible classes regularly.
Therefore, if there is a chance they will hear what they need to
change it HAS to happen in the most public of assemblies.
Think about that.
Again notice 2 Tim. 4:2.
Note that is does not say, “Preach the word. Be instant in season
(publicly) and out of season (in more intimate sessions).
Exhort them when they are assembled together but reprove and
rebuke them in more private settings.”
NO, exposure of sin needs to be as open as the sin itself!
When we bury needed
truths, we are NOT doing God any favors.
In fact, we are hindering His word.
These a some of my concerns and WHY I have presented these
lessons. I do not intend to
be malicious, but I firmly believe the direction these churches have
chosen is in error and making its members worse off instead of better.
BUT even more, I am concerned about the direction many of my
brethren have been going as a result of such movement.
Let us ever and always give the Lord’s church the respect it is
due in our lives.
To be concluded - Continue to part 4 Return to Community Church Main Page