Wake Up Church!

Introduction
That He might present her to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
—Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV)

Is the twenty-first century church demonstrating the truth of God’s Word rightly? A question often contemplated in the minds of many believers and nonbelievers. With the perplexing behaviors and practices displayed by churches today, many believers and nonbelievers are pondering: Where is the church? What is the purpose of the church? What is their viewpoint on current issues? These valid questions need answers. If the church intends to impact a lost and broken society and bring relief to bewildered souls, it has some answering to do. The church must cease hiding behind closed doors or taking sides with a fallen, dark culture. It is time for the church to be the church, operating in the fullness of the gospel truth: “Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). This scripture emphasizes that Jesus, the Bridegroom, is soon to come. He is coming for His bride—the church. Will the church be ready to meet the Bridegroom? Although there may be doubt or doubters concerning His coming, rest assure, Jesus is returning. The wedding feast will take place with or without you. Matthew’s gospel states: “for many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14). Will your church or you be presence at the banquet … and seated at the wedding table?

Jesus is looking for a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. In other words, Jesus seeks a church that has kept the course, fought the good fight, kept the faith, obeyed God’s commands, and is pictured as the bride of Christ—a church that is living up to all that God has purposed and destined for them. Is your church ready to activate the kingdom building agenda and commit to making it happen? In the natural world, the bride prepares for her wedding day through steps of preparations, planning, and praying. This concept holds true in the spiritual realm for the church. The church should also prepare, plan, and pray with the leading of the Holy Spirit to have the church ready for the Bridegroom.

Where is the church? The church should be working in the vineyard reaping the harvest of souls and adding to the kingdom. The church is purposed to be the light and salt of the earth introducing the lost to Jesus. To answer the question on what the church stands for, it stands for righteousness, truth, obedience, holiness, faith, peace, and most importantly, love toward others. Unfortunately, the twenty-first century church is failing to live up to the standards and expectations established by the Word of God. The church has fallen away from God and appears to be in a dangerous predicament. When the church falls from grace, society fall along with it. Many churches have been guilty of questionable and unacceptable behavior bringing grief to the Holy Spirit. It would be tragic to imagine that the Bridegroom may not find a spotless church on His return. Even more compelling: if the church is not prepared to meet Him, like the five virgins with no oil for their lamps, will you be the church that is left behind?

Within the last two decades, there is evidence the church appears to be declining and/or dying out. Fewer people are attending church than ever before. It may be attributed to Christianity having acquired an unhealthy reputation because the culture has shifted the church toward a more pluralistic attitude in the sense of having many forms of beliefs, opinions, and needs. People have a propensity to live the life they elect and do their own thing whether right or wrong. The pluralistic culture thrives off self-gratification and their own moral code of behavior. Their motto is, “If you feel it, go with it.” There is no shame in their game! For them, it is all about self-gratification and a messenger who meets their needs. If what is preached today does not satisfy their desired need, it is rejected. This is most likely due to a stony heart and a stubborn will. You find people today (young and old), who have little knowledge of the Bible, let alone read it. They lack understanding of key Bible principles, are unfamiliar of kingdom authority, and fail to have a personal relationship with God. This is regrettable because through God’s gift of great grace they can have authority, power, and relationship with Him at no cost. All made possible through His son, Jesus Christ. Instead, we have a culture of people within our society searching for the truth while groping around in the dark for it. People will perish for lack of knowledge, truth, and direction.

There once was a time in our nation when people could freely speak about prayer, Jesus, or sin without criticism or debate. Nowadays a person is ostracized, despised, and persecuted for his or her convictions and beliefs. Society would have you believe being a Christian is degrading and unpopular. How and why did the church come to such a low point of disrespect in our society? Why did the church fail our youth? On the flip side, why did the youth lose interest in the church?