Spectator Christianity
E.A. Johnston challenges the church to abandon complacent 'spectator Christianity' and return to a God-centered, Christ-centered gospel that wields divine authority and power.
In 'Spectator Christianity,' E.A. Johnston confronts the modern church’s complacency and calls believers to reclaim the power and authority lost through worldly alliances. He emphasizes the necessity of returning to a God-centered and Christ-centered gospel that boldly proclaims the truth with the power of the Holy Spirit. This sermon challenges Christians to move from passive spectatorship to active, Spirit-empowered living that impacts the world.
Full Transcript
When the church formed an alliance with the world, we not only lost our testimony to the world, but we lost our authority and power. A worldly church places its emphasis on building campaigns and bigger buildings while catering to man and his happiness. When the church loses its flame, it fails to ignite the world to Christ and the gospel.
The gospel record of a crucified Christ and the acts of the apostles is an antithesis to today's modern message of elevating man, tolerating sin, and lowering God. The preaching of the biblical gospel and the full counsel of God is sidelined for a more popular message of self-love. The real gospel proclaims a holy God, a broken law, a guilty sinner, and a bloodstained Christ.
The prophet Jeremiah declared, Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. And so the modern church found themselves shepherds who would merely feed and comfort them, but not protect them from the danger of dying in their sins and being cast into devil's hell.
Let us return to the old paths of a God-centered life and a Christ-centered gospel, for this is the only way to recapture the vital Christianity that altered society and turned the world upside down. We need power from on high to live crucified lives as we follow a crucified Christ. We live in desperate days where the devil roams the land, devouring whom he may, while an impotent church sits on the sidelines in spectator Christianity.
But we must regain our reality of a risen Christ and our fear of a holy God and speak in the power of the Holy Ghost, so we may stand fearless before men and kings to boldly proclaim with divine authority, Thus saith the Lord. Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Church's Alliance with the World
- Loss of testimony and power
- Focus on buildings and man’s happiness
- Failure to ignite the world to Christ
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II. The True Gospel Versus Modern Messages
- Biblical gospel proclaims a holy God and a guilty sinner
- Modern messages elevate man and tolerate sin
- The gospel of self-love sidelines full counsel of God
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III. The Call to Return to the Old Paths
- Jeremiah’s exhortation to find rest in God’s way
- Shepherds failing to protect from spiritual danger
- Necessity of a God-centered, Christ-centered life
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IV. Regaining Power and Boldness
- Living crucified lives following Christ
- Fear of a holy God and reality of risen Christ
- Proclaiming with divine authority and Holy Ghost power
Key Quotes
“When the church formed an alliance with the world, we not only lost our testimony to the world, but we lost our authority and power.” — E.A. Johnston
“The real gospel proclaims a holy God, a broken law, a guilty sinner, and a bloodstained Christ.” — E.A. Johnston
“Let us return to the old paths of a God-centered life and a Christ-centered gospel, for this is the only way to recapture the vital Christianity that altered society and turned the world upside down.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Evaluate your personal faith to ensure it is active and Spirit-empowered rather than passive.
- Commit to preaching and living out the full biblical gospel centered on Christ’s sacrifice and holiness.
- Reject worldly influences that dilute the church’s testimony and seek to restore God’s authority in your life and community.