Articles
How We Talk About the Church
How We Talk About the Church
By Mark Roberts
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we talk about the church. Here’s something to consider… What if we:
* Were hopeful about the future of congregations instead of acting like most churches are failing?
* Called out the good -- the churches that are growing (spiritually and numerically), where the prodigals know they can come home (so they do), and thirsty women seeking living water find it?
* Were optimistic about what is going on instead of disheartening people by calling as much attention as possible to problems?
* Assumed the best of our brethren instead of spreading a steady stream of negativity?
* Could be real and admitted we don’t really know what’s happening in most churches -- there are hundreds across the country, and we’ve only visited a handful -- so broad criticisms aren’t fair or kind?
* Recognized the many churches where First Days are victory-revived as worship follows the New Testament pattern, glorifies God, and edifies the saints?
* Commended the hard-working preachers among us who connect the dots between truth-facts and life-application; sermons that accomplish a lot because they are based in scripture, not the latest evangelical best-seller, and speak to disciples’ lives today?
* Didn’t act like the small minority represent the majority?
* Spoke up for those who defend the truth rather than accommodate error, who respect Bible authority and refuse to compromise with institutionalism, and who preach biblical grace instead of Calvinism? What if, instead of labeling them “legalists” and “Pharisees,” we encouraged them?
* Tried to be balanced and fair—noting the good while still working to improve where needed?
It’s easy to criticize and complain. Ten men did that in Numbers 13. A lot of people “shared it” and “liked it” but God’s people suffered for it. What if we chose a better way? God is doing so much good among us. What if we opened our eyes and thanked Him for it?
Why Jesus Came
On seven occasions, Jesus announced the seven different reasons for why He came into the world. First, He came to bring light (John 12:46). The whole world lay in darkness - delusion, sin, and despair. He came as a healing light (Mal. 4:2), and as a guiding light (John 8:12).
Second, He came to judge willful blindness (John 9:39). He came to rebuke those who are willingly blind and lead them with divine truth.
Third, He came to kindle a fire (Luke 12:49). By the fire of His word, the Lord burns out the world's filth and rubbish. He burns out the evils in people hearts, and destroys the impurities in their lives.
Fourth, He came to cause division (Luke 12:51; Matt. 10:34). He came to start a warfare against the forces of evil. He is the Captain leading the forces of righteousness, and waging an unceasing fight against sin and error.
Fifth, He came to enthrone truth (John 8:37). At no time did He hesitate to speak the truth, even when it was unpopular. Those who loved the truth listened and received His word. (John 8:31-32).
Sixth, He came to bestow life (John 10:10). As the Lord of life, He came to give, enrich, and beautify life. Those who follow Him have the abundant life, and in the end, eternal life.
Seventh, He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). This seems to be the grand summation of all the purposes of the Lord in coming into the world. In all that He did and suffered, He had one objective - to seek and save the lost. His purpose was totally unselfish. All that He did was for our good and salvation.
Happy are those who learn the Lord's will and do it! Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
Cries for Help
The creative writing teacher asked the class to write about an unusual event that happened during the past week. Little Johnny got up and read his essay. It began, "Daddy fell into the well last week..."
"Oh, my!" the teacher exclaimed. "Is he all right?"
"He must be," said the boy. "He stopped yelling for help yesterday."
We are surrounded in the church, in the workplace, in our community with people in need crying out for help. Sometimes the cries stop and we assume they're now all right. The truth may well be that they have grown weary of seeing their pleas unanswered. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27). Do you hear the cries for help?
A Moments Wisdom
--Six important guidelines in life:
When you are alone, mind your thoughts.
When you are with friends, mind your tongue.
When you are angry, mind your temper.
When you are in a group, mind your behavior.
When you are in trouble, mind your emotions.
When you are blessed by God, mind your ego.
--When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers. (Fred Rogers)
--Three people you should never trust: a religious leader who tells you how to vote, a political leader who tells you how to pray, and a draft dodger who tells you how to serve your country.
--I do not get up every Sunday morning and decide whether or not I will go to church. I made that decision fifty years ago. (Gus Nichols)
--When the debate is lost, insults become the loser’s tool. (Socrates)
--Some of the most generous people have no money, some of the wisest people have no education, and some of the kindest people were hurt the most.
Upcoming Sermons
5/18/25 AM - “The Lord has Anointed Me”; PM - “And You Call That a Fast?!”
5/25/25 AM - “The Way”; PM - May I Speak to You as Your Servant?
6/1/25 AM - The Better Life; PM - Themed Worship in Song: Homeward Bound
6/8/25 AM - The Balanced Life; PM - The Vain and Vexed Life
6/15/25 AM - “In Everything Give Thanks”; PM - “My Heart is Broken Because of the Prophets”
6/22/25 AM - Ending the War; PM - Aaron the High Priest
6/29/25 AM - Majoring on Minors; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders
