Gospel Centered & Confrontational: The Shepherd’s Church Distinctives (Part 8)
In this series, Pastor Kendall Lankford and Deacon Dan Hult elaborate on the distinctives of The Shepherd’s Church, so everyone who worships with us, visits us, or lands on our webpage will know who we are, how we are, what we are, why we are, and what they can expect.
As we dive into another installment in our distinctives series, it's important to mention that this blog is for anyone curious about our Church, whether you're a long-time member, a first-time visitor, or considering visiting The Shepherd's Church. In this series, we're laying everything out on the table, showing all our cards, and pulling back all the curtains so you can see clearly who we are, what we believe, and how we got there. May the Lord bless you as you learn more about us and your God!
THE CASE FOR A GOSPEL-CENTERED CHURCH
A church should be Gospel-centered in the truest, biblical sense because the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The Gospel is not merely the entry point into the Christian life but the very foundation and sustenance of all Christian living. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, where he reminds the believers of the Gospel he preached, which they received, in which they stand, and by which they are being saved if they hold fast to the word preached. The Gospel encompasses the whole of the Biblical story, from the bad news of our fall into sin and misery, our redemption through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to our final restoration in glory when Christ ushers in eternity. The Gospel is the story of God taking rogue miscreants and rebels and turning them into family and friends through Christ.
With that, a truly Gospel-centered church understands that everything it does flows from the finished work of Jesus Christ. Worship, preaching, teaching, Bible studies, psalm-singing, counseling, and everything we do must be rooted in the Gospel. In Galatians 2:20, Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This life of faith, empowered by the Gospel, is the hallmark of a church that rightly understands its mission.
However, many so-called "Gospel-centered" movements today, like The Gospel Coalition or Christianity Today, have strayed from this robust, biblical understanding of the Gospel. Instead of everything flowing from Christ, they have elevated an emasculated version of winsomeness that should be called Christian wimpiness. They have prioritized cultural acceptance as the maxim of whether their ministry has been faithful. Under squishy marshmallows like Russell Moore, they have become the handmaidens for the left, who will use and abuse them but never respect them. In their quest to be relevant and engaging, they have often lost their backbone, lost their witness, and dishonored God, who never told them to do that. This delusional diluting of the Gospel message is obviously quite dangerous, as it can dissolution believers on what the mission is and immunize the culture from hearing the truth. By being overly sweet, they have made the culture "Gospel diabetics," who can no longer tolerate the Gospel and are more intolerant of it than ever before.
Jesus warned against such compromise in Revelation 3:15-16, where He rebuked the Church in Laodicea for being lukewarm. He actually tells them that He will spew them out of His mouth because they have become so bitterly unpalatable to Him all He can do with them is vomit. He calls the Church to be either hot or cold, fully committed to the truth of the Gospel and its implications for life. A Gospel-centered church must not shy away from speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), even when it is unpopular or countercultural. This is why we believe our "Gospel-centeredness" must also be paired with our willingness to be confrontational; these are two sides of the same coin.
One of the chief sins among many in the "gospel-centered camp" is cowardice to call out sin in the Church, society, and the world. It is this kind of cowardice that liberally pours sugar on the cavity but never gets around to a good bristly brushing. The Bible is replete with examples of God's people being called to confront sin. This confrontation is not born out of a desire to condemn but to call people to repentance and restoration. In Ezekiel 3:18-19, God commands the prophet to warn the wicked of their ways, stating that failure to do so would result in their blood being on his hands. This demonstrates the seriousness with which God views the responsibility of His people to confront sin.
Jesus Himself was confrontational in His ministry. He called out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Matthew 23), rebuked His disciples when they were wrong (Mark 8:33), and drove out the money changers from the temple (John 2:13-16). His approach was not to coddle sin but to address it head-on, calling people to repentance and a transformed life.
The apostles continued this pattern. Paul, for instance, confronted Peter when he was not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:11-14). He instructed Timothy to preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). This mandate to confront sin extends to the Church today, as it is called to be the pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Confronting sin is not limited to personal piety but extends to addressing systemic sin in the Church, culture, and government. John the Baptist confronted Herod's adultery (Mark 6:18), and the early Christians were known for their countercultural stance on issues like infanticide and sexual morality. In Romans 13, Paul outlines the role of governing authorities to punish evil and promote good, implying that the Church must hold these authorities accountable to God's standards.
A church that shirks from confronting sin in any sphere fails in its prophetic witness. It is not enough to merely proclaim the Gospel; the Church must also call out sin and injustice, pointing people to the holiness and righteousness of God.
THE GOSPEL: A TWO SIDED COIN
The Gospel is a two-sided coin. On one side, the good news of what Jesus has done: His life, death, and resurrection bring salvation to those who believe. On the other side, it is the bad news of what we have done: our sin that made Jesus' work necessary. If we only give the bad and confrontational news, we are wielding a weapon intended to hurt people. But if we only provide the good news and never remind people of the bad news and why we needed the good news in the first place, we are giving them spiritual hypoglycemia.
In essence, a confrontational church must balance both sides of the Gospel. We must boldly address sin and call for repentance but also proclaim the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. By doing so, we fulfill our mission to lead people to a deeper understanding of their need for a Savior and the transformative power of His Gospel.
CONFRONTATIONAL AND GOSPEL-CENTERED AT TSC
At The Shepherd's Church (TSC), we are unapologetically Gospel-centered and confrontational. We do not sugarcoat the truth or shy away from controversy. We are here to proclaim the full counsel of God boldly and without compromise.
GOSPEL-CENTERED
Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation. This isn't a feel-good message; it's a radical, life-changing truth. We emphasize Christ's finished work on the cross, declaring that salvation is found in Him alone. Everything we do—our worship, sermons, and ministries—is drenched in the Gospel, leading people into a deep, transformative relationship with Christ.
Worship and Sermons: Our worship services are not about entertaining you or making you comfortable; they are about glorifying God and proclaiming His truth. Our sermons are not watered down to avoid offending people. We preach the unfiltered Gospel, exposing sin and pointing to the hope found in Jesus.
Celebration of Pardon: Grace is not cheap. We rejoice in the costly grace of God, celebrating the pardon and redemption offered through Christ's atoning work. This is not just a ritual; it's a profound declaration of our need for a Savior and the amazing grace He provides.
Communion Homily: Weekly communion is a powerful reminder of the Gospel. It's not just a religious act; it's a celebration of the sacrament that points us to Christ's finished work, reminding us of His sacrifice and our redemption.
CONFRONTATIONAL
Law Homilies: We don't tiptoe around sin. Our law homilies confront our sinful nature head-on, calling us to repentance. These messages are not for the faint-hearted; they are designed to challenge and convict, pushing us toward genuine transformation and holiness.
Cultural Issues: Unlike many churches that avoid controversial topics, we boldly address the sins of our age. The LGBTQ movement is an abomination before God; abortion is murder, and pornography is adultery. We call sin what it is without flinching or apologizing. Our sermons do not shy away from these issues; we declare God's truth boldly and clearly.
Church Discipline: As emphasized in Belgic Confession Chapter 29, church discipline is essential for a healthy church. We practice it not because it's easy but because it's necessary. Maintaining the purity and integrity of the body of Christ requires confronting sin and holding each other accountable to biblical standards.
Counseling: Our counseling is not about making you feel good in your sin; it's about prodding you toward righteousness. We provide guidance that encourages spiritual growth and obedience to God's commands. We challenge you to repent and live according to God's Word.
Social Media and Podcast: Our online presence is intentionally "salty." We are here to provoke God's people to holy living and to stand firm against false teachings. We don't shy away from confrontation; we embrace it, knowing that sometimes the truth is hard to hear but necessary for growth and sanctification.
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up this installment of our distinctives series, we extend a heartfelt invitation to everyone—whether you're visiting for the first time, a committed member, or a friend from another church. The Shepherd's Church is passionately committed to living out the Gospel in every aspect of life.
Our dedication to proclaiming the uncompromised truth of Jesus Christ and our resolve to confront sin with love is at the core of who we are. We pray that as you learn more about us, you will be inspired and blessed in your walk with God. Join us in our mission to glorify God, stand firm in His truth, and share His glorious Gospel with the world. May the grace and peace of Christ be with you always.
