CHURCH PEOPLE VS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
by Alan Yusko Mar 1997

The topic of this tract deals with the subject of going to church instead of being saved. Many people who attend church are not saved. Just attending church does not provide salvation or any merit before God. Some people attend church regularly even though they believe in a false gospel and do not have the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. On the other hand, going to church is not a bad thing. In fact, after a person is saved he should seek out and find a good Bible believing church for ministry and growth. However church is not a substitute for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is the only Saviour and the only way a person can be saved.

In this tract we will look at three examples of 'types' of people who attend church but are not saved. Finally we will have a look at what God says in His Word about the subject. Then we conclude with the simple plan of salvation available to ALL who are interested and will receive it!

CHURCH PERSON NUMBER ONE

This person currently attends a church that once preached the Gospel. People used to get saved in this church many years ago. Back in previous days this church stood up for the Bible as the Word of God. The virgin birth, the Trinity, and salvation by faith apart from works was taught by this church. As a result people were saved and had a place to grow in Christ.

However as the years passed something happened. The virgin birth was no longer believed. The Trinity was no longer important and the entire plan of salvation was lost from the teachings of this church. In fact this church no longer taught that a person had to be born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Along with doctrinal apostasy sin came into this church. Women were ordained as pastors & the sin of sodomy was no longer looked down upon. Sodomites were even ordained as pastors in this church.

Church person number one is very active in this church. This person is heavily involved in social programs, youth groups, and volunteer work. When confronted with the Gospel of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, church person number one just isn't interested. When informed that sodomy is a sin before God and that people must be born again, church person number one just doesn't want to listen. However church person number one is quick to invite everyone to church events and social gatherings.

Church person one seems quite content to attend this church and be heavily involved right up until the time of death. At that time church person number on will die without the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. Hell and an eternity separated from God is quite a price to pay for loving 'church' and rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ. However many people do just that! Here is a question: is there a church like this in 'your' town? Could you, reader of this tract, have similar qualities as church person number one?

CHURCH PERSON NUMBER TWO

Church person number two attends a false religion that is Christian sounding in name only. In fact if someone told church person number two that they were not a Christian then person number two would be offended. Church person number two attends a church that openly denies the Trinity. They actually preach another Jesus and another Gospel than what is presented in the Bible. However the church refers to itself as a 'Christian' church and church members like to call themselves 'Christians'.

Just like Church person number one there are strong social ties to this church. Church person number two is very active socially and even has many family members involved in this church. They sing Christian songs and try to come across to others as another Christian denomination. Even Holy, Holy, Holy is sung in this congregation. However instead of the words 'blessed Trinity' the words 'blessed purity' is substituted. So even though this is a false religion, it certainly tries to look, act, and sound Christian. People who know this person consider number two as a real 'church person'. To the un-discerning some may even believe that church person number two is a Christian.

Church person number two always talks about their church. When people come back to work or school after a weekend, church person relates what happened in church over the weekend. Others talk about their weekend trips, friends, outings etc... but church person two always has something to say about their church.

When confronted with the Gospel and the fact that God is a Triune being, church person two is not interested. This person argues for the apostate doctrines of the church and plans to be loyal to the doctrines of the church. After all the 'church' is right and all others must be wrong. No need to search the Scriptures to see what God really says. The Bible is best understood when read using the doctrines of the 'church' as guidelines for understanding.

One day church person number two will die. Hell and eternity separated from God is a large price to pay for being loyal to a church and rejecting the God of the Bible. Here is a question: is there a church like this in 'your' town? Could you, reader of this tract, have similar qualities as church person number two?

CHURCHED PERSON NUMBER THREE

This person was born into their particular 'religion'. He has the attitude of: 'I was born into my religion and I will die in my religion!' Person number three is very glad he was born to that particular religion. After all with all the wrong 'religions' out there it is good be born into the 'right one'. When confronted with the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, person number three is not interested. Anything contrary to his 'religion' must be wrong and will be rejected. The mind is not even open to consider such a possibility. Person number three is totally unteachable. Sure he can learn more facts about his religion but he is totally immune to any teachings about Biblical salvation.

This person has been witnessed to several times about the Lord Jesus Christ. Even when he flips the dial on the radio occasionally a Christian Bible preacher is found. Rather than listening church person number three quickly continues changing the dial to move away from this Bible teacher.

One day church person number three will die. Hell and eternity separated from God is a large price to pay for being loyal to a religion and rejecting the God of the Bible. Here is a question: is there a religious person like this in 'your' town or family? Could you, reader of this tract, have similar qualities as church person number three?

CONCLUSION:

In this tract we have looked at three types of unsaved religious people. A person may belong to a religion and faithfully attend church each week and still be lost. Church does not save and it never has. Salvation is ONLY found in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are living in the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This tract only covered three examples of people who are faithful church-goers but are lost. There are other types of people who faithfully attend church but are not saved. Perhaps a church denies the Trinity, or salvation by faith apart from works, or the need to be born again. According to the Lord Jesus being born again is required in order to be saved. Salvation occurs when a person transfers his trust from himself to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. At that point when a person trusts the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation he is born again. Here is what the Bible says about being born again. At the end of this tract we will give information on the plan of salvation so you, the reader can accept the Lord Jesus as YOUR Saviour!....(if that is what you wish to do)

John 3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

If you, the reader, attends a church that does not teach Biblical salvation then why attend? Why go to a church that does not believe or teach God's Word, the Bible? There will be many troubles and deceptions in these last days before the return of the Lord Jesus. The Bible says men will not be interested in listening to sound doctrine. Its hard to believe but its true! Imagine rather than listening to the truth many will choose to have their ears tickled by some fast talking, smooth talking, deceiving false teacher. See the below Scripture:

2 Timothy 4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Deception will be everywhere and many will choose to reject God's plan of salvation found in the Lord Jesus. Instead lies and false religions will be accepted and prosper in this Christ rejecting world. But the Gospel is available to all. There is really no excuse for a person to reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Many hear the Gospel again and again ...and still reject. There is a warning in Scriptures about this type of person:

Proverbs 29
1. He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Going to church is a good thing and is something every Christian should do. However salvation is far more important than going to a church or belonging to a religion. A person is saved only by the Lord Jesus Christ and He is the only Saviour. The church does not save. Religion does not save. Only the Lord Jesus saves from sin. However after salvation a person should seek out and attend a good Bible believing church. To be unsaved and just routinely attend church is not a very bright thing to do. It is something that a lost and simple minded person would do.

Romans 16
17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Below is the plan of salvation as found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Right now if you do not know 100 percent that if you died today that you would go to heaven...this section is for YOU! If a person does not know 100 percent that he is going to heaven the there is a real possibility that he will go to hell. The good news of the Gospel is that it is possible to know that after this life is finished, there is a home in heaven. Read on if you are interested in the eternal destination of your soul!

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

1 Peter 1:23
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

WHAT IF I DIE AND I AM NOT BORN AGAIN?

John 8:24
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

John 3:36
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:11
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HELL?

Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 14:10
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

WHAT DID THE LORD JESUS DO FOR ME ON THE CROSS?

Isaiah 53:5
5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE BORN AGAIN?

Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

COME TO THE LORD JESUS AND RECEIVE THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE

Acts 16:30
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

SINNERS PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I ask You to come into my life to forgive and save me. I now receive You as my Saviour (trusting in You ALONE to save me) and my Lord (making You my Master and committing my life to You).

ASSURANCE

John 20:31
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

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