Jesus promised to build His church and declared that even the gates of Hades would not be able to stand against it (Matthew 16:18). Believers can rest assured that the church will exist in the world until the day Christ decides to retrieve His bride.
Nothing can stand against His work. We can see evidence of this truth in areas around the world where the church is growing despite intense persecution and suffering.
As much as we can find comfort in the continuation of Jesus’ work, local congregations of believers can lose focus and become ineffective. Christ offered strong warnings to many of the churches mentioned in Revelation.
The apostles also had to write letters to the churches in various locations to address problems and conflicts. The church has had issues since the beginning, and modern churches are not immune from similar problems or rebukes.
Many people have pointed out areas of trouble in the modern church. For instance, some congregations have turned inward and focus only on what goes on within the walls of a building.
In other churches, people advocate for specific political positions instead of following God’s Word. Furthermore, people are putting money into buildings and programs, while only a small percentage are being used to take the gospel to unreached areas.
Numerous other issues exist, such as the severe problem of sexual immorality among pastors and ministry leaders, as seen in the widely covered cases of sexual misconduct in recent years, and the sad reality of racism in some churches.
Throughout time, there have been issues in the church because it is comprised of sinful people, redeemed only by the grace of God.
We should not be surprised that there are problems in the modern church, but we do need to be aware of biblical warning signs of congregations that are not effective for Christ or not following Him.
Just as Jesus instructed the churches mentioned in Revelation to heed his warnings, we also need to heed the warning signs of church decline and unfaithfulness.
As we look at these biblical warning signs that the modern church needs to remember, let’s prayerfully examine our own lives with the goal of listening to the warnings and doing something in response to them.
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1. Forsaking Jesus, the Church’s First Love
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he explained how marriage between a man and woman should mirror the love that Christ has for His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25-27). He loves believers with an everlasting love that is strong and unbreakable.
However, believers can go astray and forsake their first love. In another epistle, the Apostle John wrote to the Ephesians, recording Jesus’ rebuke to the church for not loving Him as they had when they first believed (Revelation 2:4).
These believers had solid theology and could discern false teachings from false apostles (see Revelation 2:2). They also lived out their faith through works, enduring hardships for the sake of Christ (Revelation 2:3).
Despite their correct theology and living, they lacked love for the Lord. Believers are called to love God wholeheartedly, yet the Ephesians did not love their Savior as they did at first.
Modern churches can have correct theology and works, yet still lack love for their Lord. As Paul said, we can do many great things and have great knowledge, but if we do not have love, then we have nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Believers who have lost their love for the Lord need to turn back to the love they first had.
So, how do we know if a church has forsaken its love for Jesus?
One indication is that the church does not regularly reflect on God’s amazing grace in sending His Son to die for us (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-5).
We only love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Perhaps some believers have forsaken their first love because they have become cold to the Lord’s loving sacrifice.
Another reason a church has forsaken its love for Christ is that it focuses so much on doctrine to the detriment of a personal relationship with the living Savior.
Biblical doctrine and righteous living are essential in the Christian walk, but following Jesus is not about robotically following a set of rules or beliefs. God invites us into a vibrant and eternal relationship with Him (John 17:3).
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2. Conforming to the Pattern of This World
We are commanded in Scripture to not conform to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2). The worldly system is passing away, which is why it is foolish to follow the world instead of God’s Word (1 John 2:17).
As people set apart for the Lord, we should act and think differently than the ungodly ideologies that surround us (1 Peter 2:9).
We should never hate, hurt, or demonize those we do not agree with, but we should also never be afraid to declare the truth of God’s Word.
The modern church needs to remember that people cannot serve two masters, regardless of whether that is money or the world (Matthew 6:24). The choice is to follow the world or follow God. No one can have it both ways.
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3. Tolerating False Teaching
Just as the church needs to remember not to conform to the world, the modern church should not tolerate false teaching. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus rebuked the church in Thyatira for tolerating the false teaching of a woman prophet referred to as “Jezebel” (Revelation 2:20). She led people astray into sexual immorality and convinced them to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Christ gave her time to repent (Revelation 2:21). However since she did not respond, He warned: “I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” (Revelation 2:22-23).
The Lord warned the church in Thyatira not to tolerate false teaching, and the modern church should also heed His warning.
False teachers worming their way into the church is not a new phenomenon. The apostles experienced issues with unbiblical doctrine creeping into congregations and wrote letters to address these issues (2 Timothy 2:14-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
False teachers in the church are not new, but some modern churches are not vigorously contending for the faith as the Apostles did. Instead, unbiblical teachings are being widely accepted and embraced.
The list is long, but I will focus on only a few examples of false teaching that is increasingly accepted in some churches:
The prosperity gospel. Celebrity pastors and Bible teachers actively promote the wrong idea of salvation, teaching that God wants everyone to be healthy and wealthy.
In contrast to prosperity teachings, the Bible teaches that Jesus came to die for our sins to give us eternal life (Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17). He does not promise us perfect health or wealth.
New Age beliefs. In recent years, the modern church has become increasingly tolerant of teachings like manifestation, the power of positive thinking, and the law of attraction. Some congregations promote these New Age beliefs as being compatible with the Bible.
However, these beliefs contrast with Scripture, which teaches that God is in control and we can expect hardships as we follow Christ (Psalm 103:19; John 16:33).
Churches need to fight against false teaching by promoting biblical literacy among its members and engaging in biblical teaching in sermons and lessons. Instead of tolerating false teaching, we need to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).
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4. Spiritual Deadness
Another biblical warning sign that the modern church is ineffective and unfaithful is spiritual deadness. We can see a biblical example of this when the church in Sardis experienced a lapse into spiritual deadness.
Christ reminded them that although they had a reputation for being alive, they were actually dead (Revelation 3:1). Their deeds were lacking, and they needed to repent and hold fast to the truth (Revelation 3:2-3).
Likewise, modern churches can have the appearance of spiritual vitality. They may have large buildings and congregations, numerous programs, and a solid sum of money in the bank. Such things may seem like success from a worldly perspective, but it is not what Jesus focuses on.
Christ said that we would know people by the fruit of their lives (Matthew 7:16-17). If a congregation is spiritually alive, it will bear fruit.
Not only will they worship and fellowship with other members of the church, but they will be actively living out the truth of God’s Word in their lives and seeking to make Christ known in the world.
However, if a church is falling into spiritual lethargy and deadness, it will not exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.
Instead of actively living out their faith, members will be inward-focused and care more about music or worship styles than reaching people with the good news of Christ. The desire to live for the glory of God will be dampened or non-existent.
To reverse spiritual deadness in the modern church, believers need to wake up, as Jesus instructed the church in Sardis.
He said, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent” (Revelation 3:3). Taking time to repent of spiritual lethargy and disobedience is needed, as is a renewed commitment to following the Lord.
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5. Prioritizing Programs Instead of People
A fifth warning sign that the modern church needs to remember is prioritizing programs and buildings instead of people. Jesus promised He would build His church.
However, the church is not equal to a physical building. Our Lord is building His church through the spread of the gospel and discipleship of individuals. Believers, not buildings, are the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Jesus commanded His disciples to go out into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). When the church loses that focus on taking the gospel to all people and discipling them, teaching them to obey Christ, then the church becomes ineffective and dead. Our Lord’s focus was on people, not programs. Followers of Christ should have the same focus.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus focused on close discipleship of individuals. He chose 12 disciples, even though there were many more who followed Him (Matthew 10:2-4).
Also, He invested special time with three of His disciples, known as the inner three: Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 5:37).
Of course, these specific numbers of disciples are not magical numbers for discipleship. The example of Christ shows us that spending quality time with individuals, even only a few, to train and teach is more valuable than having crowds of “fans” who are not growing or walking with Jesus.
One of the problems with the modern church, especially in America, is the focus on high numbers of attendance, members, and programs, or a large church building. Many churches do not prioritize true relationships with people that promote strong discipleship and spiritual growth.
This does not mean that mega-churches are ineffective in creating disciples or that small churches are inherently better. Rather, we need to move away from the idea that high numbers indicate success.
Instead of focusing on creating more programs or large facilities, we need to invest our time in building up disciples for Christ, equipping them to make disciples and live out their faith in everyday life.
The modern church would be wise to heed these biblical warnings, repent, and seek to follow Jesus and His commands, even though doing so may be unpopular, countercultural, and risky.
For further reading:
7 Sneaky Idols Destroying the Church Today
What Does it Mean to Be in the World but Not of the World?
Why Should We Not Be Conformed to This World?
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Originally published Friday, 29 September 2023.