Hope or Hype?

When the church is working right it is the Hope of the world.

When the church is not working right it fails the world. It’s just a lot of hype.

Many churches ceased being the “Hope of the world” years ago. What’s sad is that most of the members didn’t realize it. These churches gradually became “Christian Clubs” with songs, rituals and gatherings that focus inward instead of outward. They served themselves, not others.

Hold it right there for just a minute! What does a church that’s “working right” look like?

To answer that we must turn to the Bible, the only authoritative Word of God. There, in the New Testament book of Acts, we find the answer. It’s a vibrant growing group of people focused on worship, God’s Word, fellowship and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed.

The result was that “everyone was filled with awe” and the church grew incredibly fast.

What a church! It was the “happening place” in Jerusalem. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of it? Broken lives were put together, desperate people found help, the fearful found peace, empty people were filled with purpose and those overcome with sorrow found joy. Wow.

Sadly, most Christians have settled for a church that is so much less. In some the worship service is the most boring hour of the week. Where is the awe and excitement? What happened?

What happened is that man tried to “improve” on God’s plan for the church.

Some just stopped taking the gospel message to others and focused on fellowship.

Other groups strayed from the simple gospel of Christ. Instead of teaching forgiveness for all our sins is a gift of God, they taught you must believe in Jesus Christ AND follow all their laws, ordinances and rituals. Rather than salvation by GRACE, it was by “Good Works.”

Some even went so far as to say, “The most damnable, heretical doctrine ever proclaimed by man is 'saved by grace.’” Amazing--since that’s how God’s Word says we are saved from sin!

The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Once we understand that forgiveness and a new life are a gift from God, everything changes. The joy and freedom that result from faith in Christ are indescribable! Money and things, while still necessary, lose their luster. They are no longer the main reason for living.

People whose lives are truly changed by the gospel want everyone to have the same joy and freedom they have in Christ. The love of God in their heart gives them a compassion and love for others—just like Jesus. Life is no longer just about them and the desire for things.

A Church, with leaders and people like that, is an oasis of hope in a hopeless world.

When a church is “working right” lives are changed forever, prejudice is overcome, failures are forgiven, selfishness is reduced, compassion grows, and real hope becomes a reality.

The solution is for people to return to the message and mission of the church in the Bible.

If you are not a part of a church like the Bible describes, change yours or find one that is!

The church I pastor is not, nor is any church, “perfect.” But we do have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin. We have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to provide, protect and lead us. All of that, plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s hope!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!