What Is the Greatest Need in the Church Today — Alan Cairns

Knowing and Living the Gospel

The greatest need of the Church today is what it has always been. Times change, but men don't. The greatest need of the Church today is to know Christ as he's revealed in the Gospel, to know that Gospel, believe that Gospel, and live according to that Gospel.

Taking the Gospel Seriously

Now that's simple. In words, it has a profound effect upon life. What I'm saying is that the need of the Church of Jesus Christ is to take seriously the Gospel we pretend or profess to believe. And I'm not saying all profession is a pretense.

Some people only pretend to believe it. Some people profess to believe it with truth. You know where you come in there. But we've got to take the Gospel that we pretend or profess to believe, take it seriously, take it according to its own terms as revealed in the Scripture, live by it, and proclaim it.

Confronting Culture with the Unedited Gospel

There are too many churches and too many Christians who are wanting to cut away at the Gospel, edit the Gospel to bring it into line with modern so-called culture, whereas what they ought to be doing is be willing to confront the culture, the people of today, in the lifestyle they're living, with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone

Let us know the Gospel. Let us apply the Gospel. Particularly, I would say it's very, very important that we would get back to where our reforming forefathers were and grasp the full import of the biblical doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Gospel as the Church’s Motivating Power

If we understand that, and that becomes the motivating power of our lives, it would make a world of difference personally and also to the corporate life of the church. So broadly, I would say, get back to the Gospel.

The Church’s Neglect of Biblical Prayer

In some specific terms, one great need of the church is to learn the biblical art of prayer. That which the Bible speaks about constantly, it commands it, it calls for it, attaches great promises to it, we all pay lip service to it, and yet, how few churches really give themselves to prayer.

The Church Gathered to Pray

How few churches really have a prayer meeting where the church, as in Acts 12, meets to pray. These are the needs. Now, if these needs are met, that will mean that we have a church that's once again unashamed to be separated from the world and separated unto Christ.

Separation from the World and Devotion to Christ

Ultimately, that is the great need of the church.