There’s no shortage of articles about the failure of the church in The United States. Churches are closing their doors at a record rate, and especially in small towns. The Christian Chronicle news publication has even been documenting the closings of small churches across the country in recent articles.
There is also the appearance of growing churches in bigger cities, but is this “growth” the result of more people making decisions to forsake their former lives to follow Jesus, or merely the result of people joining these churches after their smaller church has closed its doors? Or is it a combination of the two? Or is it something else?
Let’s set aside questions surrounding other churches for a moment and look at ourselves. I live my life in constant prayer for the success of our church. I try not to look too hard at other churches situations, mainly because without complete information, I can’t really see what issues caused other churches to fail. So, what do I do? Naturally, I look to the same place I look for every tough question I have, God’s Word.
Our church will fail IF we fail to obey the teaching of Jesus from Matthew 28:16-20.
16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This is the passage I’ll be preaching, so I won’t cover this text in detail here, but rather, give you just one additional point.
The key points of obedience within this text are the words make and teaching, and they are related. We make BY teaching. We make disciples who in turn are then supposed to make disciples. The commandment to teach in verse 20 is a command that applies to ALL disciples. Nobody is supposed to dodge the responsibilities of teaching and making disciples.
What will sink our church? The same thing that is sinking churches across the land – A lack of teachers and makers. What is the greatest need of our church and every other church I’ve ever been a part of? A lack of those willing to teach.
Someone will think that I’m trying to shame people into teaching with this article. I’m not. I’m trying to lovingly warn the church that without committed teachers, the church will certainly fail.
Jesus isn’t simply giving a set of suggestions that are beneficial. He’s giving a format of how the church will live and grow and prosper. The negative side of His teaching, you could say, is what results when the church doesn’t approach Matthew 28:16-20 with life-or-death seriousness.
My personal solution? Teach until, 1) The Lord returns, 2) I die, 3) You run me off or 4) The church fails due to a lack of making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.
Find a way to be a part of the solution. We don’t have to invent a new way. Jesus has given us instructions. We will follow them and follow Him or we won’t. It’s our choice.
Much Love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
