The Gospel

We went to a great church recently and heard an excellent message on the hot topic of anxiety – mental health.  It was well delivered, employed scripture, and hit the spot with many people struggling post covid.  Whether we really are post covid is another matter, but that thought is only likely to cause more anxiety.  

Upon reflection, and this despite our enjoyment of the church, I wondered if we are focusing more on the fruit rather than the root.  Anxiety is a result of other things; it doesn’t have a life of its own.  Like sin it is derivative, not original, and like sin it requires the power of the cross of Jesus to expose and deal with it.

I don’t wish to minimise anxiety.  It cripples many people.  Speaking of the symptoms, unearthing common triggers, is not unhelpful.  Yet could it be that describing things, giving tips to control or mollify anxiety, is simply not enough?

Whilst we preach relevant topics, giving tips to modern man, using scriptures to make a case for self-improvement, and promising a better life employing Proverbs, we are not inculcating our people with the wonder of Christ, the power of the cross and resurrection, the overwhelming love of God, the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  (We just don’t have the time, after all our practical preaching.)  These great and defining topics end up being filler, a tip of the hat to scripture, rather than them being the core, the rationale, of God’s church.

If our people can catch a vision of the crucified and risen one then the issues faced, whilst not being ignored, will take on a new look, in which Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, will assume Lordship and redeeming love will begin to sustain and heal the crippled soul.  To do this requires people to hear the reading of scripture – spoken and exegeted, rather than sparingly employed as a springboard for our favourite topic/s. 

All this while they are vitally connected to the “pillar and ground of the truth” – the church.  Sever that connection and there is less likelihood of the benefits of Jesus Christ being actualised in our lives, precisely because they are often mediated by the communion of community.

Our danger is that church becomes a place life and relational skills, important though they are, are paramount, rather than a gathering in which “Christ and him crucified” takes centre stage.  There is a vast difference between teaching people to observe and obey everything Jesus said (the Great Commission) and what we are seeing dominating our pulpits.

We need to be transparent – the gospel does not promise the good life.  It promises real life.  We may have mistaken happiness for holiness, and promotions and personal power for God’s eschatological promises.  Just saying.