How Can You Call Yourself a Church
E.A. Johnston challenges believers to examine the true nature of their church by contrasting biblical church life with modern superficial practices, urging a return to Spirit-led, authentic Christianity.
In this challenging sermon, E.A. Johnston calls believers to reflect on the true meaning of being a church by examining the vibrant early church in Acts 2. He contrasts this biblical model with many modern churches that lack spiritual power, holiness, and evangelistic zeal. Johnston urges a return to authentic Christianity marked by prayer, revival, and the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all aspects of church life.
Full Transcript
In Acts chapter 2, we read the following, Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, in breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved.
That begs the question, friend, how can you call yourself a church if everything is done by money and manpower, instead of by God and holy ghost power? How can you call yourself a church if there's no vital Christianity in your church? How can you call yourself a church if your members have no reality of God in their lives? How can you call yourself a church if you're self-satisfied, self-reliant, and self-ruled? How can you call yourself a church if you have no organized evangelistic outreach to your community? How can you call yourself a church if you don't even have a weekly prayer meeting? How can you call yourself a church if there's no holiness in the lives of your members? How can you call yourself a church if your membership is largely unconverted? How can you call yourself a church if you don't preach the great doctrines of the gospel, which are ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration? How can you call yourself a church if you see no need for revival and seldom pray for revival? How can you call yourselves a church if the carpet in your sanctuary isn't wet from the tears of broken-hearted saints crying out to God for the sins of the nation and the salvation of souls in your own town and in your own homes? How can you call yourself a church if there's no difference between your meetings and a social gathering? How can you call yourself a church if there's nothing but infighting and backbiting and jealousy? How can you call yourself a church if Jesus is not prominent in the lives of the members and preeminent in the sanctuary? And how can you call yourself a church if you're deader than the local mortuary?
Sermon Outline
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I
- Description of the early church in Acts 2
- Characteristics of true church life: doctrine, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers
- The Lord adding to the church daily
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II
- Challenges to modern churches lacking God’s power
- Questions exposing superficial church practices
- The absence of vital Christianity and revival
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III
- The need for holiness and genuine conversion
- Importance of evangelistic outreach and prayer meetings
- The prominence of Jesus in church life
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IV
- Warning against self-satisfaction and internal strife
- Call to repentance and spiritual renewal
- Encouragement to be a living, Spirit-filled church
Key Quotes
“How can you call yourself a church if everything is done by money and manpower, instead of by God and holy ghost power?” — E.A. Johnston
“How can you call yourself a church if there's no holiness in the lives of your members?” — E.A. Johnston
“How can you call yourselves a church if the carpet in your sanctuary isn't wet from the tears of broken-hearted saints crying out to God for the sins of the nation and the salvation of souls in your own town and in your own homes?” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Evaluate your church’s spiritual health by comparing it to the biblical model of the early church.
- Commit to regular prayer and seek revival both personally and corporately.
- Engage actively in evangelistic outreach and promote holiness in your daily life.