“User-Friendly Church”

1. “User-Friendly Church”

2. “User-Friendly Church” Any church that allows visitors to think they are saved, when they are not, is not user-friendly! Any congregations that allows members to remain in sin or in sinful relationship – is not user-friendly. Any church that does not teach people what the word of God truly says is not being user-friendly.

3. “User-Friendly Church” Any church that does not warn people about the reality of hell is not user-friendly. Any church that does not preach the whole counsel of God is not being user-friendly (Acts 20:27)

4. “User-Friendly Churches” Seeks to be in subjection to the Head on all matters and faithfully relates Jesus’ will to all who will hear Makes known God’s truth and defends it – 1 Timothy 3:15 Any church that presents a standard different from Jesus’ expectations is not being user-friendly- Galatians 1:6-9

5. “User-Friendly Churches” Make sure the lost find out, without much delay, that they are indeed lost and need a Savior – Acts 2:37; 8:36 Something is wrong if I can attend a congregation for years and be unaware that I am even lost.

6. “User-Friendly Churches” Avoiding doctrinal topics or discussions about sin or judgment as non-offensive preaching is FALSE! Isaiah 30:10 “prophesy deceits” Jeremiah 6:13,14 “peace, peace where there is no peace.” Romans 16:18 “smooth words & flattering speech” 2 Timothy 4:3 “because they have itching ears”

7. John, Apostles and Jesus John the Baptist – “REPENT!” Matthew 3:2; Matthew 3:12 Jesus preached the same message of repentance – Mark 1:15; Matthew 5-7 The apostles where uncompromising in their preaching: Crooked generation doomed – Acts 2:40 Drastic action needed – Acts 2:38 Rebuked rebellious generation – Acts 7:51 Jesus the only way to God – Acts 4:12 Judgment Day is a reality – Acts 17:30; 22

8. God Consulted with No one when He Authored the Bible No poll, marketing survey or attempt to find out what “the unchurched” thought they needed Jeremiah 10:23 “not in man who walks to direct his own steps” Proverbs 16:25 “way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” The gospel not designed to meet perceived needs – it was designed to address real spiritual deficiencies – James 4:1ff

9. “User-Friendly Churches” Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5 Immediate result was they were afraid – 5:11 Fear came upon everyone who heard about the event – 5:11 Some unbelievers did not want to be a part of them – 5:13

10. Lessons to be Learned Lots of insincere people give money under false pretenses Death penalty was God’s reaction Must love truth, even when it gives a personal or social disadvantage God’s people need to take God seriously, and treating Him as holy means obeying Him – sin in the camp will not be tolerated

11. Lessons to be Learned Acts 5:13 “but the people esteemed them highly” They admired the standards, expectations, and that sin was taken seriously Good and honest people expect a church to be strict and have high standards No apologies, no advertisements in the paper, no retractions and no clarifications

12. Lessons to be Learned Acts 5:14 “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” Events like this quickly weed out the curiosity seekers & focuses in on only those who are prepared to pay the cost of true, life changing, and rewards discipleship – Luke 14:26ff Let’s share the soul saving truth in season & out of season -2 Timothy 4:2