A Coward Christianity
E.A. Johnston challenges the modern American church to overcome its fear and cowardice, urging believers to boldly proclaim the uncompromising truth of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.
In 'A Coward Christianity,' E.A. Johnston confronts the fearful and compromised state of the modern American church, drawing from Peter's denial to illustrate the need for boldness. He challenges believers to reclaim the uncompromising gospel message and stand firm against societal pressures. Through biblical examples, Johnston calls for a revival of courage and faithful proclamation of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.
Full Transcript
I want to read us chapter 26, friends, of Matthew's Gospel, beginning in verse 69. Now Peter sat without in the palace, and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee? But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth? And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him, they that stood by him, said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew, I will stop there, friends.
The title of my message today is A Coward Christianity, and I submit to you that the current posture of the American church is where Peter was when he was afraid of a maid. We've caved into society. We've caved into a politically correct atmosphere.
We watered down the gospel to make it more palatable to sinful man. We quit preaching against sin. We lost our boldness.
We lost our voice of authority. We are afraid to meet together for worship. We are afraid to offend anyone with our sermon.
We are afraid of our deacons. We are afraid to speak up against the sins of the world. We are afraid to cry out against homosexuality and transgender recognition.
We are cowards in the pulpit and cowards in the pew. Martin Luther would be ashamed of us today. As pastors, we have turned into either CEOs that run a business operation, or we're mamby-pambys who tremble at our own shadow.
God had to do a work in Peter to make him the bold preacher of Pentecost, to where he could declare that same Jesus whom ye have crucified. And God will have to do a work in the modern church in America if it ever wants to move past just being a laughingstock to the world. In the book of Acts, the church went in one direction, and pagan society went in the other.
And when they met, there was either a clash or a riot. Christianity has always been counter-cultural. Christianity has always been intolerant to the sinful society in which it exists.
Listen, friend. Jesus is the only way to heaven. He said so.
He said, I am the way. That means the only way. The truth.
That means the only truth. And the life. And that means he's the only way to eternal life.
No man cometh unto the Father but by me. The church in America needs to stop being tolerant towards sin and afraid of its own shadow, and it needs to stand boldly once again, proclaiming to a lost world of perishing sinners. Thus saith the Lord, flee from the wrath to come.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Peter's denial as an example of cowardice
- The American church's fearful posture today
- Comparison between Peter and modern believers
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II
- Consequences of watering down the gospel
- Loss of boldness and authority in preaching
- Fear of offending and confronting sin
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III
- God's transformative work in Peter
- The early church's boldness in Acts
- Need for a similar revival in the modern church
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IV
- Jesus as the only way to salvation
- Call to reject tolerance of sin
- Urgent proclamation to a lost world
Key Quotes
“We've caved into society. We've caved into a politically correct atmosphere.” — E.A. Johnston
“We are cowards in the pulpit and cowards in the pew.” — E.A. Johnston
“Jesus is the only way to heaven. He said so.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine personal fears that hinder bold gospel proclamation and seek God's strength to overcome them.
- Commit to preaching and living out the uncompromised truth of Jesus Christ regardless of societal pressures.
- Encourage and support fellow believers to stand courageously against sin and cultural compromise.