Ephesians 5:23-30
Introduction
Grady Stanford said disgustingly, “Things down at the church are Catty-Whompus!”
Etymology of Catty-Whompus: Catty, cats rarely walk straight; they walk in a cock-eyed manner. Whompus describes the result of whomping something hard, being lop-sided.
What Mr. Stanford meant is: things at church are cock-eyed, not right, because the devil has whooped us into his demonic mold, convinced us to do church according to his rules, instead of allowing Jesus to be Head of the Church.
What makes a church “catty-whompus”?
- Koinonitis, a sick fellowship. Miss Jo visited a church where she heard about a “super-friendly” Sunday School class. Out of curiosity, she decided to arrive on time and sit on the front row. At exactly the time the class was to begin, Jo was the only one present! Over the next 30 minutes, 35 people walked into the class, but no one spoke to her or acknowledged her presence. Friendly class? In the eyes of the class members, they were friendly. The problem is that they restricted their friendliness to those within their group.
- Power groups. They usually mean well, but they have difficulty believing that a newer person could know and love the church as much as they do.
- Majoring on the Minors. When a traditional church loses its outward focus, relatively small things grow in importance to the detriment of the real important needs. Budgets and bills become more important than souls and eternity. The order of worship becomes more important than hours of prayer. The style of music becomes more important than reaching the lost. And constitutions and bylaws provide more leadership than the Holy Spirit.
- Institutional Survival. When a church is more concerned about survival than its purpose and mission, an inward focus develops. Decisions are made on the basis of financial feasibility rather than God’s direction. While good stewardship should guide our decision-making, the key question is: What would God have us to do?
So what is the church and its purpose?
The Church Is People.
A. Definition: “The church is a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ who come together to carry out the commission of Jesus Christ.”
B. The Mission of the Church is to reach people and disciple them, so they can reach other people and disciple them, Matthew 28:19-20.
The Church Is the Bride of Christ.
A. Jesus loves His Church.
Some people say, “I love Jesus, but I don’t have any use for the church.” One cannot love Jesus without loving what Jesus loves. If we love Jesus, we will love what Jesus loves. Jesus loves His church. Those who claim to believe in Jesus but attack His church must take warning. You do not attack a man’s bride without incurring His wrath. Jesus will not long tolerate a person’s attack against His bride.
B. Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His Church
How can the church become a glistening white instead of a drab, dingy grey? How can the church be presented without wrinkle? A garment washed clean through agitation. The wrinkles are pressed out through heat and pressure. The church of our Lord is under the agitation of attack. From every direction there is turmoil and opposition stirred by Satan. It is under the pressure and heat of the attack of Satan and his followers. Jesus is preparing the church for Himself without spot or wrinkle.
The Church Is the Body of Christ.
A. Where is the church–When?
B. The Body of Christ gathered.
When many are gathered, Christ moves to strengthen, energize, guide, and direct through the instruction of His Word. He inspires and fills His people. God’s people come together to encourage one another. We are told in Hebrews 10 to consider one another, to provoke one another to love and good works. Every Christian needs that. Every Christian needs to be admonished and encouraged, prodded and provoked to love and good works.
C. The Body of Christ scattered, Acts 8.
The church gathers for strengthening; it scatters for service.
The church gathers for worship; it scatters for witness.
The church gathers for praise; it scatters in power.
The church gathers in fellowship; it scatters in faith following the Lord.
The church gathers to equip the saints; it scatters to evangelize the sinner.
D. The Function of the Church is:
- Exalt the Savior
- Equip the Saints
- Evangelize the Sinner
Conclusion:
How do we correct the “catty-whompicity” of the church?
A. Let Jesus be the Boss of the Church.
B. Let the Holy Spirit have complete freedom in the Church.