ATTITUDES OF CHRISTIANS THAT DESTROY THE CHURCH.

ATTITUDES OF CHRISTIANS THAT DESTROY THE CHURCH.

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 2:14-15; EPHESIANS 4:29-32.

AIMS OF THE LESSON:

Brethren, as we study this sermon today, my aim is threefold:

1. That we may identify the attitudes among Christians that weaken and destroy the church.

2. That we may explain the biblical dangers of these attitudes.

3. And that we may apply the practical remedies that lead to repentance, unity, and spiritual maturity.

INTRODUCTION:

“Beloved, the church is not just a building; the church is the family of God. Paul calls it the household of God in 1 Timothy 3:15, and it was purchased with the precious blood of Christ in Acts 20:28.

Let this truth sink into our hearts: The church does not die because of persecution from the outside. The church dies because of destructive attitudes from the inside.

What destroys a congregation is not the storm outside, but the sickness within. In this lesson, we will expose these attitudes, define them, and learn God’s remedies that keep the church alive, healthy, and united.”

DEFINITION SECTION WITH GREEK & HEBREW TERMS

“Before we go further, let us define our key terms clearly, using biblical Greek and Hebrew so we understand the depth of this subject.

1. Attitude

The word attitude means a settled way of thinking, feeling, or behaving.

In Greek, the closest New Testament term is φρόνημα (phrónēma); meaning:

Mindset. Inner disposition. The heart’s spiritual posture. (Romans 8:5-6)

In Hebrew, the Old Testament expresses this with the word לֵב (lev); meaning:

Heart. Intention. Will. Inner character (Proverbs 4:23)

So biblically, attitude is the inward mindset of the heart that produces outward behavior.

2. Destroy

To destroy means to weaken, corrupt, scatter, or render useless.

In Greek, we have two important words:

καταλύω (katalyō); To tear down, to dissolve, to break apart (Matthew 5:17)

φθείρω (phtheirō); To corrupt from within, to spoil morally (1 Corinthians 3:17)

This second word, phtheirō, fits our topic because it describes internal destruction, not external attack.

In Hebrew, the key word is שָׁחַת (shachath); meaning:

To ruin. To decay. To morally corrupt (Genesis 6:12)

So to “destroy the church” means allowing internal corruption and wrong attitudes to weaken the unity, holiness, and mission of God’s people.

3. Church

The church is not the building, it is the saved people of God.

In Greek, the word is ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia); meaning:

the called-out ones

a gathered assembly united in Christ

(Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22-23)

In Hebrew, the equivalent is קָהָל (qahal); meaning:

Congregation. Assembly (Deuteronomy 31:30)

Thus, the church is the people God has called out of darkness into Christ, united in worship, work, and holy living.

TEACHING BODY:

1. A CRITICAL AND COMPLAINING SPIRIT

Number one: a critical and complaining spirit.

Philippians 2:14. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings."

Some Christians specialize in complaining. Instead of contributing, they criticize. Instead of encouraging, they discourage.

Murmuring killed thousands of Israelites, and it still kills churches today.

It kills joy.

It divides brethren.

It wears down leaders.

The remedy is thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

2. PRIDE AND AN UNTEACHABLE SPIRIT

“Number two: pride.

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction."

Pride makes a Christian unteachable. Pride blocks repentance. Pride destroys unity.

Beloved, a proud Christian is a danger to a humble church.

The remedy is humility. 1 Peter 5:5.

3. GOSSIP AND SLANDER

Number three: gossip and slander.

Proverbs 6 says God hates a lying tongue.

Gossip destroys reputations.

Gossip breaks trust.

Gossip weakens evangelism because outsiders lose respect.

James 3 says the tongue is a fire. One gossiping member can burn down an entire congregation.

The remedy is control of the tongue. Psalm 141:3.

4. UNFORGIVING SPIRIT / MALICE

“Number four: an unforgiving spirit.

Jesus said your Father will not forgive you if you do not forgive others (Matt. 6:14-15).

When Christians hold grudges…

When they keep malice…

When they nurture bitterness. Satan is given a place to work.

The remedy is forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32.

5. LACK OF COMMITMENT TO WORSHIP AND WORK

Number five: lack of commitment.

Hebrews 10:25 warns us not to forsake the assembly.

Some come only when convenient.

Some never participate.

Some leave the work for a faithful few.

This attitude weakens the whole church.

The remedy is faithful stewardship. 1 Corinthians 4:2.

6. WORLDLINESS

Number six is worldliness.

1 John 2:15. "Love not the world."

A worldly church loses its spiritual power.

When Christians copy the world’s lifestyle, dressing, entertainment, language, and behavior, their influence dies.

The remedy is transformation. Romans 12:2.

7. DIVISIVE SPIRIT (FACTIONALISM)

Number seven: a divisive spirit.

Paul commands us to ‘speak the same thing’ in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Division is cancer.

Division kills growth.

Division destroys credibility.

The remedy is unity. Ephesians 4:3.

8. HYPOCRISY

Number eight: hypocrisy.

Jesus says hypocrites are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful outside but dead inside.

Hypocrisy destroys the faith of young believers.

It destroys trust.

It destroys worship.

The remedy is sincerity. Romans 12:9.

9. ENVY AND JEALOUSY

Number nine is envy.

Envy creates competition instead of cooperation.

Envy produces bitterness.

Envy kills love.

Galatians 5 lists it as a work of the flesh.

The remedy is contentment.

10. SPIRITUAL LAZINESS

Number ten: spiritual laziness.

Hebrews 5 describes Christians who should be teachers but remain babies.

When Christians refuse to grow, the church becomes weak.

The remedy is spiritual discipline: prayer, study, and practice.

11. THE “I DON’T CARE” SPIRIT (INDIFFERENCE)

Number eleven: the ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

Revelation 3:15-16 calls this lukewarmness.

Indifferent Christians destroy churches quietly and quickly.

The remedy is zeal and repentance.

12. REFUSING TO WORK WITH OTHERS

Number twelve: refusing to work with others.

1 Corinthians 12 teaches that we are one body with many parts.

If the body parts refuse to cooperate, the whole body suffers.

The remedy is teamwork.

13. NEGLECT OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Number thirteen: neglecting evangelism.

Matthew 28:19 commands every Christian to win souls.

A church that stops evangelizing starts dying.

The remedy is a soul-winning spirit.

14. FAILURE TO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP

Number fourteen: failure to support leadership.

Hebrews 13:17 commands us to obey our leaders.

When members attack leaders…

When they refuse cooperation…

When they undermine decisions; the church suffers.

The remedy is encouragement, prayer, and righteous submission.

CONCLUSION:

Beloved, the strength of the church is not found in the building or in the finances.

The strength of the church is found in the hearts of the members.

Let us examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Let us remove every attitude that destroys the church.

And let us build the church with humility, love, and obedience.

May God in His infinite mercy guide and secure our hearts to serve Him accordingly to His glory in Jesus Christ's mighty name. Amen.

Thank you all for your time.

Brother Isaac Joseph Ukpong

Church Of Christ, Agbede, Ikorodu Lagos.

isaacjukpong@gmail.com, +2348110332119