“Let the Church Be the Church” Ephesians 3:1-21

TRANSCRIPT

Date: June 14, 2026 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

In view of the theologically conservative resolutions that were passed this week at the Southern Baptist Convention, and the election of a true theologically conservative President, while there is much work to be done, I believe we have reached the end of the “cool-woke-church” era, for the movement failed to accomplish what the leaders dreamed it would. Christianity is declining in the U.S., while Islam is now growing most rapidly. In 1960, over 90% of American adults identified as Christian; today, about 60% do. Pastors are leaving the ministry in large numbers, and thousands of churches are closing each year. Therefore, I hope this sermon will raise your concern. Beloved, the bottom line is this. The time has come for churches to stop trying to market Jesus in ways they think make Him attractive to the lost, and start proclaiming Jesus as the Savior and Lord that He is; the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and the only hope of our eternal salvation. The title of this Sunday’s sermon is: “Let the Church be the Church.” Please review the attached study guide, reflect on its message, and share it with others who could benefit from it. We invite you to take this opportunity to engage more deeply with your faith. Thank you for your continued support. Please share these guides with anyone who may find them helpful.

In view of the theologically conservative resolutions that were passed this week at the Southern Baptist Convention, and the election of a true theologically conservative President, while there is much work to be done, I believe we have reached the end of the “cool-woke-church” era, for the movement failed to accomplish what the leaders dreamed it would.

Christianity is declining in the U.S., while Islam is now growing most rapidly. In 1960, over 90% of American adults identified as Christian; today, about 60% do. Pastors are leaving the ministry in large numbers, and thousands of churches are closing each year. Therefore, I hope this sermon will raise your concern.

Beloved, the bottom line is this. The time has come for churches to stop trying to market Jesus in ways they think make Him attractive to the lost, and start proclaiming Jesus as the Savior and Lord that He is; the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and the only hope of our eternal salvation.

The title of this Sunday’s sermon is: “Let the Church be the Church.”

Please review the attached study guide, reflect on its message, and share it with others who could benefit from it. We invite you to take this opportunity to engage more deeply with your faith.

Thank you for your continued support. Please share these guides with anyone who may find them helpful.

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

While using the Apostle’s Creed as our outline, the purpose of this series of sermons is to affirm and illuminate the essential doctrines of the Christian faith as defined in the lives and teachings of those who saw the resurrected Lord.

In Ephesians 3, God revealed a truth to the Apostle Paul that had been hidden for many generations; that God’s ultimate plan of redemption was to include both Jew and Gentile into one body.

The Greek word translated in our English Bibles as “church” is “ekklesia.”  It was not a religious term, as it was first used to describe those who were called to assemble for a town meeting.

Today’s church had its origin in the eternal purposes of God. Today’s church is the new covenant community of Jesus , rooted in Israel , but constructed by Jesus, and inaugurated by the Holy Spirit. The church is:

In his book, “Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church,” Paul Washer outlined the major issues plaguing today’s church, all of which stem from a departure from the essential doctrines of the Christian faith as defined in the Apostle’s Creed.

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