Reflections on the Church and the Gospel Message, Part 2: Speaking Truth in Love

A Down-to-Earth Post for Every Believer

Let’s be real: the world is full of noise, and the Church is no exception. We’re surrounded by messages about faith, hope, and the gospel. These messages come from passionate sermons. They also come from polished church broadcasts and even the sea of Christian content online. I sit back and take it all in. Sometimes, I wonder—are we actually getting the heart of the gospel right? Are we just going through the motions or truly letting this message change us from the inside out?

What’s Really at the Center?

The gospel message, at its core, is simple and profound. God’s love for us, shown through Jesus, brings hope. It offers new life to anyone who believes. It’s supposed to be the heartbeat of the Christian faith—a message of redemption that turns lives around. But when I listen to some sermons or read certain posts, I sometimes cringe. It’s not because people don’t know the basics. It’s because I’m not sure we all see just how powerful and life-changing this message truly is.

Let’s break it down. In every congregation, there’s a mix. There are brand-new believers excited to learn. There are long-time Christians who’ve walked many miles with God. There are even folks who are just curious or maybe skeptical about all this Jesus stuff. That’s a lot of different people to reach! Sharing the gospel comes with a huge challenge. How do you stay true to what really matters? How do you still connect with everyone in the room?

Is It Wrong to Be Critical?

I’ll admit, there have been times I’ve been pretty critical of what I hear from pulpits or see online. At first, I felt guilty—was I just being picky? Was I judging? But as I kept thinking and praying about it, I realized my discomfort wasn’t about nitpicking. It came from a real love for the truth of the gospel. I want to support my church and my pastors, but more than that, I want to be faithful to Jesus. That means caring about what’s actually being taught. I need to make sure that it aligns with what Jesus Himself would want us to say.

Are We Sharing the Real Gospel?

Here’s a tough question: what if the message we’re used to hearing isn’t the real gospel at all? What if, little by little, we’ve drifted away and started preaching “another” gospel without even noticing?

This isn’t just a hypothetical—Paul brought it up when he wrote to the Galatians. He expressed his surprise. He was astonished that they were quickly deserting the one who called them to live in the grace of Christ. You are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all” (Galatians 1:6-7). If people in the early church get off track, shouldn’t we be on guard, too? Are we sometimes more interested in being entertaining, clever, or popular than in telling the truth that changes lives?

Getting Back to the Basics: Handling God’s Word

Paul had some advice for Timothy. He was a young leader in the early Church. This advice still rings true: “Study to show yourself approved by God. Be a workman who need not be ashamed. Rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). In other words, take God’s Word seriously. It’s not about impressing people or putting on a good show. It’s about handling the message with care, so people get the truth they really need.

Charles Spurgeon, a famous old-school preacher, talked about this a lot. He said our job isn’t to entertain or dazzle. Instead, we should convict. This helps people see their need for God and leads them to Jesus. That means digging deep, not just skimming the surface or settling for easy answers. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 checked everything against Scripture. Similarly, we should always be asking: “Is this really God’s truth?”

The Risk of Watered-Down Teaching

Scripture warns us. This warning feels especially relevant today: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather around them a great number of teachers. They do this to suit their own desires. These teachers will say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Let’s be honest. Sometimes we’d rather hear messages about how to be successful, happy, or fulfilled. We shy away from the hard stuff about repentance, obedience, or sacrifice. But if we only hear what we want, we miss out on the real power of the gospel. The good news isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about being changed, called to love, and living with purpose for God.

Staying Awake in Our Faith

Romans 13:11 puts it plainly: now is the time to wake up. “For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” We can’t afford to get lazy or distracted when it comes to what we believe and share. Like the sons of Issachar from the Old Testament, we need to pay attention. They were praised for understanding the times. They knew what to do. We should ask tough questions and be wise about how we lead and serve.

Are we really meeting people’s needs? Are we preparing them to live out their faith in a world full of conflicting voices and temptations? Are we giving them the tools to stand strong when challenges come?

Some Personal Thoughts

I’ve had my share of doubts. Sometimes I worry that I’m being too hard on the Church or too intense about what’s preached from the front. But after a lot of reflection, prayer, and honest conversations, I’ve realized something important: this isn’t about being negative. It’s about caring deeply for the Church and wanting God’s best for everyone.

Humility is key. None of us—no matter how long we’ve been Christians or how much Bible we know—are immune from making mistakes. That’s why community matters. We all need people in our lives. They should love us enough to tell us the truth. They keep us grounded in God’s Word.

Encouragement for Everyone

My hope for the Church is straightforward. Let’s not be afraid to ask hard questions about what we believe and teach. Let’s dig deep into Scripture, have honest and loving conversations, and make changes when we need to. God’s not out to shame us—He wants to renew and transform us.

If you’re a pastor, teacher, or just someone who cares about your church family, keep pouring your heart into your work. Continue dedicating yourself fully to your role. Continue to dedicate yourself fully. But also be willing to pause and ask: are we staying true to the message of grace? Are we pointing people to Jesus—or just making them feel good for a while? Our calling isn’t to entertain, but to lead people to the real source of hope.

Wrapping It Up

The gospel isn’t just a story or a tradition—it’s the power of God to change lives. It’s too important to water down or twist just to make it easier or more popular. As we think about our place in the Church, let’s recommit to the basics. We should love truth and speak honestly, even when it’s tough. Let’s also encourage each other to keep growing.

Jesus is the One we ultimately answer to. May we be found faithful—studying His Word, loving our neighbors, and living out the message that truly saves. The world is watching, and what we do matters. Let’s give them a glimpse of the real hope and love that only Jesus can of