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Why Church Didn’t Work

Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on him, if you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed.John 8:31

Thursday, September, 2014

Hope for Today

A detailed look at why people leave the church

Even Jesus Got Put Out

Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were

amazed…..And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them “Only in

his hometown and in his own

Even Jesus Got Put Out

house is a profit without honor.” And he did not do many miracles

there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13:54-58

Three Reasons

1. Existing Sin in the Church

2. Unrealistic expectations

3. False Doctrine

Unconverted LeadersJesus said to them, if you continue

in my word, then you are my disciples.

You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.

John 8:31-32

Unconverted LeadersThe church leaders answered “We

come from a long line of church people reaching all the way back to Abraham.

We were never in bondage”

John 8:33

Unconverted Leaders

Jesus replied “Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. When I make you free,

you’ll be free indeed.”

John 8:34, 36

Did You Catch That?Jesus went to the leaders of the church and told them that they

needed to grow in truth.

Their response claimed that there was nothing wrong.

Did You Catch That?Jesus pointed out that they had sin in

their lives.

They claimed salvation by default (being Abraham’s seed)

Jesus claimed that their works should show it.

3 Keys to Salvation1. Justification

2. Sanctification

3. Glorification

JustificationMost churches teach justification just as the

Bible describes.

Romans 3:24

JustificationBeing justified freely by

grace that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:24

JustificationIf I confess with mouth the Lord

Jesus and believe in my heart that God raised him from the

dead, I shall be saved.

Romans 10:9

Is This Really All?What happens after the

confession? What happens when the

emotions settle and we go home?

Is This Really All?What shall we say then? Shall we

continue in sin so that grace may abound?

God forbid! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom. 6:1-2

Is This Really All?To be fair, most churches say

“You’ve got to live right”

But it’s confusing when they also teach that God

understands if you don’t.

It’s a Faith IssueDo you really want a doctor treating

you who doesn’t believe that you can get better?

Then why go to a church that doesn’t believe God can heal

you?

So, What Happens?After people make a stand for Christ,

they try to will themselves to get better.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

So, What Happens?Sooner or later, the pressure

mounts and they either leave the church or

pretend to be delivered when they are really in

deeper bondage.

It’s a Faith IssueThose controlled by the sinful

nature cannot please God.

You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature, but by

the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. Romans 8:8-9

It’s a Faith IssueTherefore, brothers, we have

an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature to

live according to it.

It’s a Faith IssueFor if you live according to the sinful

nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the

misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:12-13

So, How Do We Grow?

3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor

1 Thes. 4

So, How Do We Grow?

15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 

So, How Do We Grow?

• 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2 Timothy 2:16 

So, How Do We Grow?

 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:29-30 

So, How Do We Grow?

 If you love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15 

So, How Do We Grow?

  3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1 John 5:3 

So, How Do We Grow?

  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4 

So, How Do We Grow?

  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him”1 John 3:1 

Faith and Works

20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:20

Faith and Works 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:14

Why Church Didn’t Work