May 05, 2024

"Doubting the Church Due to Church Hurt"

Matthew 23:1-4 (NLT) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. ³ So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. ⁴ They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

Facts on the De-churched:

1. People don’t want to be inconvenienced.

2. Most de-churched people still believe.

3. Politics & religion haven’t mixed well.

4. Some have been hurt.

5. Most of the de-churched people are willing to come back.

Church Hurt Comes From:

- Dictators

Daniel 4:30 (NLT) ³⁰ As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’

- Instigators

- Imitators

How To Handle Church Hurt:

1. Realize it’s been an issue for a long time.

Matthew 23:1-4 (NLT) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. ³ So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. ⁴ They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

2. Know you’re not alone.

3. God has a plan and a purpose in your pain.

4. Let God fight your battle.

Romans 12:19-21 (NLT) ¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.  If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” ²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.