Sermon Cloud

There is cause for concern in the church today. An emerging generation is losing more and more interest in the church because they think it doesn’t emulate what Jesus stood for. To them, the body of Christ stinks. In this series we will address the perceptions that the world around us holds about the church and open a dialogue for healthy discussion. Join us as we answer the question “are we doing what Jesus told us to do” and look at what we do next to address these concerns.

The emerging generation views Christians as prideful and quick to judge others.  They doubt we really love people as we say we do.

Here is how one outsider describes us: “Christians like to hear themselves talk.  They are arrogant about their beliefs, but they never bother figuring out what other people actually think.  They don’t seem to be very compassionate, especially when they feel strongly about something.”  Nearly 9 out of 10 young outsiders say judgmental accurately describes present-day Christianity.  (unChristian, p. 182)

A better perception to hope would be that we show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.

Judgment is central to the Bible’s message, but it relentlessly warns us against being judgmental.  (Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; 7:36-47; Romans 2:1-4; 14:4, 10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 5:12; James 4:11-12).  Judgment is 100% God’s job.

This message will seek to expose some of the ways Christians reinforce the stereotype of being judgmental, and offer practical ways to rid ourselves of this stench.