I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      This series of lessons based on 2Timothy 3:1-9 is intended to improve our understanding and our service to God during these current times that make it difficult for us to save souls.

                                                             1.      In the first lesson, we recognized certain problems, acknowledged our need for understanding these problems, and emphasized the necessity for each Christian to be involved in the solutions.

                                                             2.      In the second lesson, we considered some of the difficulties of the modern culture that Christians face as we live and teach in the name of Jesus Christ.

B.      In this lesson, let us consider how the local church should change to meet the modern challenges.

                                                             1.      Changes in the church may be needed, but they must be the right changes that are in line with the church’s God-given purpose, which is to be “the pillar and support of the truth” (1Tim. 3:15).

                                                             2.      These changes are not to be determined by the modern culture, but rather by the pattern given in the ancient word of God.  Therefore, let us go back to the Bible to determine the future of this church.

II.      RENOVATION, NOT INNOVATION

A.      In the previous lessons, we have considered the difficulties that churches and Christians face during these difficult times.  Now we must consider how to address these difficulties.

                                                             1.      Should we make wholesale changes in the local church in an attempt to reach out to the world?

                                                             2.      Should we continue just as we are and hope that the problems go away?

                                                             3.      Is there another approach?

B.      Before we make any changes to the local church, it is paramount that we understand what we are trying to achieve as a church of Jesus Christ.

                                                             1.      Let us recall that “church” is from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning a “called out” assembly.  The church of Christ is the assembly of persons whom Christ has called out through His gospel (2Thess. 2:14).

a.       All persons whom Christ has called out of the world are saved and added by Christ to His church (Acts 2:41-47).

b.       Within the various communities throughout the world, members of Christ’s church (Christians, Acts 11:26) assemble together to form local churches.

                                                             2.      Local churches are given extensive instructions and examples by Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament to demonstrate their purpose, work, and organization.

a.       Christ is “head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22-23) and has revealed to us His will for His church through the word of God.  He alone tells us how to achieve the work of the church.

b.       No other source of direction is needed.  Our focus must be completely on Christ’s will for His church as set forth through His word.

                                                             3.      Therefore, as a local church, we are seeking to be a church that believes, practices, and teaches the truth according to Christ’s word in the New Testament.

C.      With this understanding, any changes that are made in the local church should be in an effort to renew the church to the New Testament’s pattern rather than to shape the church to a new pattern.

                                                             1.      The goal of these changes must be renovation rather than innovation.

a.       To renovate is to return to an original condition.  The condition that we seek to achieve in the church is defined by the New Testament’s instructions and examples.

b.       To innovate is to change to a new condition.  Modern culture demands that the church continuously innovate in order to conform to the culture, but the New Testament pattern for the church does not change from culture to culture.

                                                             2.      The advice that Paul gave Timothy regarding the difficult times (2Tim. 3:1-4:5) was not to make radical changes, but rather to stay the same course and “retain the standard of sound words” (2Tim. 1:13).

                                                             3.      If there is any way in which the modern local church does not comply with the standard of sound words revealed in the Bible for Christ’s church, then the appropriate changes should be made to renovate the local church.

D.      So then, what renovation does the local church need?  Let us consider some areas that every church should inspect to see if they match the pattern.

                                                             1.      Love for Christ is crucial for the success of a church because it is the motivation for every sincere effort of the Lord’s church collectively and true Christians individually.

a.       The Lord said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

b.       If the church has left its “first love” (Rev. 2:4), then it must repent and restore its love for Christ.

                                                             2.      Love for one another is a natural result of a church’s love for the Lord, for we are all members of His body.

a.       Christ said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

b.       The first Christians loved one another in the likeness of Christ, and their love was evident by their deeds (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37).

c.        The application of brotherly love will end all division, strife, backbiting, gossip, and other forms of evil that destroy churches from the inside out.

                                                             3.      Knowledge of God’s word is essential for a church to believe, practice, and teach the truth.

a.       All members of the church must be committed to learning the truth for themselves in order for the entire church to be knowledgeable (Acts 2:42, “devoting themselves to the apostles’ doctrine”).

b.       The internal edification of the church depends on its members being knowledgeable of the truth (Eph. 4:11-16).

c.        The church’s work of evangelism is dependent on its members being able to tell others the word of the Lord (Acts 8:4).

                                                             4.      Zeal is a characteristic that we desperately need during these troubled times.

a.       A church can never succeed if its members are not zealous and active in doing what is right.

b.       Apathy and indifference can be as destructive to a church as persecution, false teaching, and strife (Rev. 3:14-19).

                                                             5.      The holiness of the church must be upheld against the culture which threatens to overwhelm it.

a.       The church is the holy temple of God, and it must be preserved from corruption (1Cor. 3:16-17).

b.       The holiness of the local church depends on its members, so every member must strive to live a holy life (1Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 4:17-6:9; 1Pet. 1:14-16).

i.         Churches are plagued today with worldliness in their members (unholy conduct, filthy language, immodest clothing, drinking, smoking, gambling, etc.)

ii.        The Lord said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?  It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matt. 5:13).

c.        There must be a radical difference between the local church and the world around it (2Cor. 6:14-18).  The distinction should be clear and defined.

E.       Perhaps these renovations are not what most Christians want or expect, but they are what we need.

                                                             1.      When we consider making changes in the local church to meet modern challenges, we usually think of how we should change the assemblies, worship services, and Bible classes.  Mostly, such changes are just window-dressing, packaging, and gimmicks that have no substance.

                                                             2.      The truly effective changes (renovations) that we have considered require each individual Christian to focus all of his or her energy and effort upon Jesus Christ and His church.  This is what we really need in order to succeed in these difficult times (see Lesson 4 – “What Do You Do More Than Others?”).

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      Can the ancient ways of the Lord’s church reach a modern world?

                                                             1.      The faithless will say “no” and propose that we change our beliefs, practices, and teachings to conform to the modern culture.

                                                             2.      However, the faithful will trust that the Lord knows best, and they will cling even closer to the standard of sound words given in the Bible.

B.      Let us be faithful to walk in the ancient paths, and we will see just how effective the Lord’s ways really can be – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).