Acts 15:22-41 | Church Hurt预览

There is a certain kind of church hurt that’s different than most. These are the instances when someone has been the victim of extreme or systematic sin through no fault of their own. Sexual or physical abuse from a church leader. A predator in a church. Or involvement in a group with cult-like tendencies that seek to manipulate, control, or coerce for their own agenda or personal gain. Sometimes it’s not that extreme, but nearly as damaging, like teaching or counsel that is just plain wrong and contributes to a harmful end, or a local church practice that ignores or propagates evil situations.

That is not the kind of church hurt we’re focusing on in this plan. That is not the kind of church hurt we see with Paul and Barnabas. We lead with this today because while this is a plan on Acts 15, it’s also a plan on church hurt, and this kind of hurt is real. It’s out there. And you might have possibly experienced it. The pain and trauma it brings can be unimaginable and leave scars long after the wounds have been delivered. Never make light of that pain. You have endured. The good news is that even out of these experiences, Jesus can bring healing and hope.

In those instances, get safe, bring whatever is in the darkness into the light, and work with someone personally to process it all and start your rebuilding process.

Jesus says this: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God” (John 3:19-21).

Jesus also says this: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

While this level of church hurt is in the minority, it is a sad reality that Jesus’s church is sometimes distorted and infiltrated by sinful people intent on evil things.

It can be easy to go underground. Don’t. There is no shame. If something criminal has happened, report it. If something traumatic happened, share it with someone trusted. Bring darkness into light. It is the way of Jesus and may even have the positive effect of protecting others from similar hurt.

There’s a thirst for vindication in times like these. It’s right to have it. Wrong has been done and God has wired into us a need and desire for justice. The psalms are filled with cries for vindication. Today, we’ll read a few.

There’s no guarantee what will come of bringing the darkness into the light. It may lead to vindication. It may not. Bring it to light anyway. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to do what is right more than what is expedient. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t heal all wounds. It rarely does. That comes about through the long, hard work of rebuilding right thinking, processing feelings, learning to forgive enemies without justifying their behavior, and shifting from a mindset of a victim to a victor.

People of God have found themselves on the receiving end of this kind of hurt since the time of Cain and Abel. You are not alone. No matter what happens, know God sees, and will judge in the end.