Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew

Bad Church, No Church, Good Church –

THEIR DANGERS!

When Israel rejected Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, i.e. the Messiah, God rejected Israel as His witness on earth. This was despite Israel's long record of being God's only witness on earth since Israel came out of Egypt in Moses' time in 1445 BC. Israel, as God's witness, was a national witness. God replaced her with the local church witness comprising of Jews and Gentiles. This global witness started in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost about 50 days after Jesus had the Last Supper with the disciples before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The church witness has spread across the face of the earth after a period of nearly 2,000 years!

What is a church? A "church" refers to "the called out ones." Believers are "the called out ones." The One who has called them out is God. The manner in which they have been called out is by salvation in Jesus Christ! They are called out of the world and sin even though they remain in the world. They are called out by God after salvation in Christ in order to live holy lives on earth to point sinners to the Saviour and to encourage other children of God to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God's holy and perfect Word. The word "church" can also be used to describe the building in today's usage. But in the Bible it refers to the assembly of believers who have been called out of the world and have been entrusted with the Great Commission to fulfil (cf. Matthew 28:18-20).

The church is both local and invisible, or catholic, i.e. universal. The universal or catholic church is made up of only truly born again believers and it is invisible to the naked eyes and it is not seen or found on earth! It is made up of all born again believers both in heaven and on earth and from both the Old and New Testaments. All have to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved by God's grace in order to be part of the invisible church. The Old Testament believers believed in Christ to be saved when they offered the animal sacrifices by faith, looking forward to what Christ would do in the future by dying on Calvary’s cross for them. The animal sacrifices, when offered by faith in obedience to God's teaching, helped them to look forward to Christ's perfect sacrifice of His sinless body. The New Testament saints also believe in Christ to be saved; they look back to what Christ has already done on Calvary's cross. All believers must believe in Christ to be saved. There are no exceptions!

The local church is made up of both believers and unbelievers. It is visible to the naked eyes. It is the visible witness of God's grace and mercies. Satan hates this witness. The local church is under the assault of Satan today more than in all the periods of church history combined together. The reason is that we are living in the last days. God has prophesied that the local church will fall away. The falling away of the local church has begun. The prophecy states clearly that this will occur prior to the rapture of believers. The passage of the Bible that warns of a falling away of the local church is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (KJV), "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." The context is the doctrine of the Rapture as verse 1 teaches. Jesus says that certain signs have to be fulfilled first before the Rapture takes place. False teachers had crept into the church in Thessalonica teaching that the Rapture had taken place. The disciples thought that they had been left behind and had missed the Rapture! The apostle Paul wrote to comfort them, that before the Rapture occurs, some signs have to happen first. One of these signs is the apostasy of the local church. It will become apostate! The Greek word for "falling away" is "apostasy"! The face of Christianity that the world sees today is the face of the devil and no longer the face of Christ! This means that in the last days there will be more bad churches than good ones. The focus of this elder's page is on the dangers of attending local churches.

We shall examine the dangers of not attending and attending a bad and a good church. The local church is supposed to be the defender of Christ, the Bible and the Christian faith and to be the spiritual light that will point sinners to the Saviour. However, that spiritual light is diminishing and is about to be switched off completely!

It is very dangerous to not attend and to attend church nowadays! What are some of the dangers?

1. Do Not Attend Any Church – Many sinners in the world do not attend church at all. They have no interest or desire to do so for many carnal reasons. Tragically and sadly they will die in their sins and find themselves in hell, never having heard the gospel all their days on earth. There is no other way to save them outside of Christ. The reality is that all are born in sin and will die in sin if they do not have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Romans 3:23 (KJV), "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Everyone is born in sin. It makes no difference whether one is born in the most expensive and cleanest hospital or the dirtiest slum on earth. All are born in sin and will die in sin unless they are given the gospel of Jesus Christ and repent in order to be saved. Romans 5:12-14 (KJV), "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." They need the gospel. The church is the place to see the power of the gospel working in the lives of God's children.

The danger of not attending church is that they will not be exposed to what life in heaven is like because the local church is meant to be home away from home to all believers. By attending church they would see the lives of children of God on earth who are citizens of heaven with a new mind and heart. They are a peculiar treasure to God as their speech is seasoned with salt and holiness characterises their way of life. They forgive and they love sacrificially. They share all that they have with those who lack because of the love they have for their Saviour Jesus Christ. They see each other as family sealed for eternity by the priceless blood of Christ their common Lord and Saviour! The ones who do not attend church will miss an amazing sight on earth that is truly a glimpse of eternity! Acts 2:42-47 (KJV) "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

There are genuine born again believers who also do not attend church, not because they do not want to, but because there is no good and sound church for them to attend. They know that it is better not to attend church than to attend a bad and unsound church that will poison them with her false teachings and carnal manner of worship. They do not want to be associated with a bad church as this will compromise their holy witness for Christ!

2. Attend a Bad and Unsound Church – As mentioned earlier, there are more bad and unsound churches today that ever before. The reason is that we are living in the last days of man's rule on earth. These last days of man's rule will climax in the rule of the Antichrist who will rule the world with an iron fist of evil and wanton wickedness. He will deceive the world into worshipping him as if he is the Messiah! The only thing on earth that stands in his evil way is the good local churches that earnestly defend the faith and preach the sincere gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore Satan must kill off these good churches, and he is succeeding. Satan has never stopped attacking God's witnesses. He attacked the nation of Israel in the Old Testament when she was God's witnesses. Since the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he has turned his evil attention to the local church in the New Testament!

After the 16th century Reformation and the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, the local church was revived. The Word of God was freely translated into the languages of the world. It could be read by millions of believers worldwide. The Word of God could be easily and affordably printed and purchased by almost everyone who believes. It appeared as if Satan was retreating and the church was marching onward. Sadly, this is not true. Satan knows the effectiveness and potency of the Word of God in the hands of the believers of the world. He raised false teachers who attacked the Bible at its source. He orchestrated his attack on the whole Bible by saying that the Bible is only perfect in things spiritual but not things factual. The cry of these false teachers is that there are mistakes in the names of places and people and numbers in the Old and New Testaments. This has resounded throughout the seminaries and Bible Colleges of the world and has permeated into churches all over the world through the graduates of these infected seminaries and Bible Colleges. The cry "that the Bible has mistakes but don’t worry for the mistakes are minor" has been effectively used by Satan to deceive the gullible ones in the pews. The truth that the Bible is perfect is rejected by many as the evil one has labelled this doctrine a heresy and those who believe it . . . heretics! This was already prophesied by God some 2000 years ago. God knows that one day there will be a generation that will believe a lie to be true and the truth will be called a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (KJV), "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." [Emphasis added]

Into this mix of attacking the perfect Bible, Satan attacks the truth even more by turning Christianity into a religion of carnality. The Roman Catholic Church has changed its tactics – from being a ferocious lion of the 4th century AD she has projected herself to be a mild mannered fox from the 20th century till today. This was made much easier when the local church began to die one by one through the influence of a new movement called Charismatism. The Charismatic movement was born at the turn of the 20th century. The emphasis of the Charismatic movement on experience has displaced the Bible. Adding to the completed Bible is the new norm. The Bible is nothing but a tool used by this end time movement to deceive the many goats into thinking that they can become sheep by "bleating" like sheep. Millions all over the world are being deceived including seminary professors and pastors. The local churches are now citadels of carnality whereby they have made the way of the flesh to become the way of God. They promote that the broad road of health and wealth leads to the kingdom of heaven and no longer leads to damnation! Matthew 7:13-23 (KJV) "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." [Emphasis added]

The danger of attending these bad and unsound churches is that all who enter in are spiritually poisoned. They do not know it for they think that they know Christ simply because the name of Christ is uttered. The reality is that Christ does not know them for these are workers of iniquity! They sincerely think that they are going to heaven but in reality, based upon Gods perfect Truth, they are still heading toward hell. The only way to be saved is to get out immediately. Make sure that the gospel that you believe in is the gospel of Jesus Christ, ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURES!

3. Attend a Good and Sound Church – One would rightfully think that it is safe to worship in a good and sound church. There ought not to be any dangers at all! Yet of all the dangers presented so far, the danger of attending a good and sound church is the most deadly of all!

God has provided a haven of rest and fellowship inside every good and sound church. It is a gathering of God's children on earth. A good and sound church helps every believer to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. He can worship God faithfully with all of God's children every Lord's Day. They serve together, being labourers and co-labourers with God as they build up each other's faith. As a result they become better believers. They are recharged and ready for another week of fighting for lost souls when they go back into the world. Six days out of seven they serve the LORD in the world but the Lord's Day is a day of spiritual refreshing with God's people! A day where they keep it holy unto the LORD! To a child of God, the good and sound church is the best place on earth for his spiritual well being to improve and grow. It is second only to heaven itself! He loves to attend church. He delights in attending all the church activities like prayer meeting, Sunday School, worship service, mid-week Bible studies, church camps and retreats, and all things spiritual provided for his soul that will give him all the strength he needs to fight God's battle in the world. The high point of every week is always coming to church on the Lord's Day to worship God with God's people! These are just some of the great blessings from attending a good and sound church!

However, what happens when a professing Christian who attends a good and sound church finds all these spiritual activities boring and dreadful? He has no taste for Christian fellowship. Attending church is a ritual or just an avenue to show off his wealth or to enlarge his business contacts. He does not understand the Bible. Once his carnal agenda is fulfilled, he leaves the church. To him the good church is no different from a community centre. He goes to church expecting to be entertained. When the Lord's Day worship is reverential, he calls it dull and boring. When godly hymns are sung, he is silent. His mouth opens and meaningless words come forth. There is no joy in worship. When the Word of God is preached, he sleeps. The Bible is a closed Book to him. He does not understand the Bible at all. The "meat" of the Bible chokes him and he cannot swallow it. He says he is satisfied with only milk but in reality he is dead in Christ because he does not grow and has no desire to grow! He disobeys the Bible and does not feel remorseful. He hides behind phrases like "it is only his interpretation" or "it is merely the teaching of man!" in his disobedience. He picks and chooses what is convenient from God's Word to obey and rejects what is not. The Christian faith is like a fashion statement rather than the reality of a transformed life. He goes through the motion of coming to church week after week until a hurt to the ego arises and he leaves huffing and puffing. He is self righteous, thinking that he can do no wrong. Anyone who differs from him is obviously wrong and he is always right! After attending the good church for a season, he leaves, never to return. Some might stay on until the pride is wounded and they will leave with a wounded pride and much sullen talk and a bitter spirit! These are some experiences found in those who attend a good church. The Word of God is meant to sanctify i.e. to make clean a "dirty" i.e. carnal life because of the influences of the world. Loving mammon more than God is a great sin! When the Word of God convicts such a carnal heart, the response could be repentance and turn to Christ or sadly, harden his heart and ignore!

The danger of attending a good church to such people is that they are charged with turning their backs on Christ and God. They have seen God's people's lives which is a glimpse of heaven. They have heard the voice of God when the Word of God is faithfully and accurately preached and taught. But it has fallen on deaf ears! They do not realize that the Word that they reject is not the words of man but the very Word of God and Christ! When they turn their backs on all things true and spiritual they spurn the only One Jesus Christ who can save them from sin, death and hell! Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV), "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." There is no other Saviour out there in the world who can save them. They are like the many enemies of Christ when He was on earth who heard and saw His miracles, and then they turned their backs on Him!

A person who does not attend church can still be saved if he is given the gospel. A person in a bad church can still hear the truth and be saved if he leaves the bad church and enters a good church. But when a person rejects the Word preached in a good church, he rejects the only One who can save him!

Conclusion – The local church is a visible witness of the presence of God and His love for all mankind. To reject it and not attend a good church is to reject God. A bad church is a citadel of Satan and must be avoided like the plague. It will kill and poison the souls of all who attend. A good church is a place where God's people thrive as they live and witness for Christ on earth. If a person is in a good church, he must never turn his back and leave, for it is the same as turning his back on Christ! Do not despise the good local church. Find a good church and defend and love it and do your part to not let it turn bad! Amen.