DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CHURCH (7 Important Directives)

DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CHURCH

(7 Important Directives)

Years ago a group of teenagers got together for a meeting. They were all from the same church. They watched their Christian parents war against one another. During their meeting one teenager said this to the group. “We get along fine. Why can't our parents get along?” The teenagers were deeply disappointed with their church.

I regularly meet Christians who are disappointed with their church. Some are disappointed that they are not allowed to use their gifts and talents in the church. Others are disappointed in the moral failure of church leaders. Still others are disappointed at their church's lack of Biblical teaching.

We could probably make a long list of things which disappoint Christians about their church. But this is the main reason why Christians are disappointment in their church. People are disappointed with their church because they see how Christians sometimes treat one another.

What should we do when we feel disappointed in the church?

First, when we are disappointed in the church we need to look at the cross. When we look at the cross we are reminded of an important truth. I am a sinner saved by grace. Since I am a sinner saved by grace, I should walk in humility before God and with my fellow believers.

But there's something else. When a Christian disappoints us we need to remember Christ also died on the cross for them. They are therefore important to Jesus. And since they are important to Jesus they should also be important to us.

Second, when we are disappointed in the church we need to look at ourselves. It is possible that someone has deeply hurt us, and we are innocent of wrong doing. But we need to raise this question to ourselves. “Have I done anything to help cause this problem.

Remember Jesus made this declaration in Luke 6:42. “How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.”

Third, when we are disappoint in the church we need to ask God for wisdom. We need wisdom from God on how to handle a church or family conflict. (Jas.1:5) Should I overlook an offense? (Prov. 19:11) Or should I follow the steps found in Matthew 18:15-17? We need wisdom to know what is the best course of action.

Sad to say, most Christians misunderstand the purpose of Matthew 18. The purpose of Matthew 18 is not to prove my point. The purpose of Matthew 18 is to seek reconciliation. What a difference it makes if I go to a meeting seeking reconciliation.

Fifth, when you are disappointed in the church we need to guard against bitterness. Both the Apostle Paul and the writer to the Hebrews warn us about bitterness. (Eph. 4:31 & Heb. 12:15) Bitterness will take you down the road of vindictiveness, and bitterness will rob you of Christian joy.

Ask God for the grace not to allow bitterness to fill your heart. The antidote for bitterness is always forgiveness. So we also need to ask God for the grace to forgive. Our willingness to forgive is a sign that we truly belong to God.

Sixth, when we are disappointed in the church we need to use our hurt for God's glory. I am sure you remember this old saying. “If the world gives you lemons then make lemon aid.” Now this is how you can use your situation for God's glory. Ask God to use your hurt as a platform for ministry.

You can turn your anger, hurt, and disappointment into something positive by focusing your life on helping those with the same problem. You can practice the words found in II Cor.1:3&4. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction...”

Seventh, when we are disappointed in the church we need to pray for everyone involved. Jesus gave this instruction in Matthew 6:27&28. "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

How do we pray for those who disappoint us.” If they are not believers we need to pray for their salvation. But if they are true believers we need to pray that they will experience God's grace in their own lives. We also need to pray for reconciliation.

Conclusion

When our children were young it was easy to hide church problems from them. As they grew older they began to see the problems with their own eyes. The very people they admired in the church would sometimes produce the greatest disappointment in their lives.

When they were disappointed in the church a wise woman (their mother) would say this to them. “Don't judge Jesus by the wrong behavior of a few Christians.” In other words, don't allow the behavior of few to color how you look at Jesus and His church.

You may have been deeply hurt by the church. If this is true, then my heart goes out to you. But please remember this important truth. Jesus loves the church. We see our Lord's love for the church on the cross. It was on the cross that Jesus died for the church.

So lest me give this final word. In the mist of your hurt and pain, ask God for the grace to love the church. Ask God to give you the same love Jesus has for the church. To love the church the way Jesus loves the church means to love God's people even when they disappoint us. But always remember this important truth. God can give you the grace to love those who have disappointed us.