Why does Johnny need church?
Some would say that its the other way around: the church needs Johnny – especially his cash!
However, the Bible says that Johnny desperately needs the church more that he thinks.
Why?
Because Johnny has a massive problem. Johnny is a sinner by default and is heeded towards an eternity separated from a Holy God.
The church’s central message is how Johnny can be friends with God – in this world and the next.
Johnny does not need church because he is sick, sad or structurally oppressed. He need the church because he is a sinner.
Don’t take my word for it, Jesus said it first.
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ healing ministry was super successful and going viral. Yet, Jesus was in a desolate place praying. (Cf. Mark 1:35)
The disciples find Jesus and say, “Everyone’s looking for you! Jesus, it’s time to get back to the people and start healing! Our ministry is a great success! The church is packed!” (Mark 1:37)
Jesus’ answer to his disciples is very sobering and reveals why Jesus came and why Johnny needs the church.
Jesus said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:38)
That is, Jesus did not come to heal the sick, but to preach the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)
Jesus knew that Johnny’s main problem is not that he is sick, sad or structurally oppressed, but that he is a sinner who will face the judgment of almighty God.
Johnny needs to repent of his sin and believe the gospel so that he may be saved. He may remain sick, sad and structurally oppressed, but he will be part of God’s new, eternal Kingdom with Jesus as his brilliant King.
Just to nail the point, Mark includes the account of a paralytic man being brought to Jesus. (Mark 2:1-12)
The paralytic had big problems. He couldn’t walk or function normally, and had to rely on friends to carry him around. When the paralytic and his friends heard a miracle worker was in town they made a bee-line to him. A once in a lifetime opportunity to walk again.
Again, Jesus response to the paralytic is very sobering and reveals why Jesus came and why Johnny needs the church.
Jesus did not heal the paralytic, but forgave his sins. (Mark 2:5)
Why?
Jesus dealt with his biggest problem. He thought his biggest problem was physical, but it was spiritual.
Let’s not misunderstand: Jesus cares for our physical needs. Jesus did heal many, including the paralytic. (Mark 2:11-12) But that is not why Jesus came. Jesus came to deal with our biggest need. He came to deal with our sin by dying on a cross to receive the judgment of God as our substitute. (Mark 10:45)
Johnny needs the church more than he thinks.
Unfortunately for Johnny, many churches have forgotten why Jesus came. Many churches prioritize physical needs over people’s spiritual needs. Many churches do not have the preaching of the gospel as their priority. Many churches focus on the temporary, not the eternal.
Of course, churches are called to love people and seek to care for their needs as a necessary implications of the gospel. But that is not our primary calling. Our primary calling to to preach the gospel.
You and I have many, many, many problems. Our biggest problem is that we are sinners estranged from a holy God. And once that problem is sorted, we find that we can cope with our other problems.
Let’s hope Johnny finds a good church.