𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛

SEVEN RED FLAGS IN THE CHURCH
When Christ Is No Longer the Center

1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

INTRODUCTION

Not every place called a “church” is building on the right foundation.
Paul warned that anything built beside or beyond Christ is unstable, dangerous, and ultimately destructive.

In this Dispensation of Grace, the true Church is the Body of Christ, built on Pauline revelation, centered on Christ alone, and governed by grace, not law.

Today we will examine SEVEN RED FLAGS that reveal when a church has drifted away from Christ as the center.

POWER-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP (Bossy Leaders)
1 Peter 5:3

A. Leaders Rule Instead of Serve
“Lording it over God’s heritage”
B. Authority Replaces Accountability
No Bereans allowed (Acts 17:11)
C. Control Replaces Care
Fear instead of faith
Dispensational Insight:
Grace leadership shepherds hearts—it does not dominate consciences.

PERVERTED DOCTRINE (Wrong Teaching)
Galatians 1:6–7

A. Grace Is Mixed with Law
Confusion replaces clarity
B. Israel’s Commands Applied to the Church
Wrong division (2 Timothy 2:15)
C. Paul Is Minimized or Ignored
Mystery truth rejected
Dispensational Insight:
Wrong doctrine is the root of every church problem.

PROFIT ABOVE PEOPLE (Money Above All)
1 Timothy 6:5

A. Giving Is Forced Through Fear
“God will curse you”
B. Ministry Becomes a Marketplace
Selling blessings
C. Gain Replaces Godliness
Covetous leadership
Dispensational Insight:
Grace giving is voluntary, cheerful, and never threatened (2 Corinthians 9:7).

PROFESSED LOVE WITHOUT PRACTICE (No Love in the Church)
1 Corinthians 13:2

A. Truth Spoken Without Charity
Harshness replaces grace
B. Favoritism Replaces Fellowship
Partiality exposed (James 2:1)
C. Programs Replace People
Numbers matter more than souls
Dispensational Insight:
Grace produces love, not cold orthodoxy.

PERMISSION WITHOUT PURITY (No Correction of Sin)
1 Corinthians 5:1–2

A. Sin Is Tolerated, Not Taught Against
Fear of offense
B. Holiness Is Labeled “Legalism”
False balance
C. Discipline Is Abandoned
Flesh is celebrated
Dispensational Insight:
Grace teaches holiness—it does not excuse sin (Titus 2:11–12).

PERFORMANCE-CENTERED WORSHIP (Worship Feels Like a Show)
2 Timothy 3:5

A. Entertainment Replaces Edification
Applause replaces “Amen”
B. Feelings Replace Faith
Emotional highs without truth
C. Spectators Replace Servants
Audience Christianity
Dispensational Insight:
True worship is spiritual understanding, not stage performance.

PROGRESS WITHOUT PROFIT (No Growth in Faith)
Ephesians 4:14–15

A. Believers Remain Spiritual Infants
No doctrinal stability
B. No Teaching of Identity in Christ
Ignorance of position
C. No Fruit of Grace Living
No transformation
Dispensational Insight:
Grace builds mature saints, not perpetual babies.

CONCLUSION

Bossy leaders
Wrong doctrine
Money-driven ministry
Loveless environment
No correction
Entertainment worship
No spiritual growth

All point to one central problem:
JESUS CHRIST IS NO LONGER THE CENTER.

CALL TO ACTION

Examine your church by Scripture
Rightly divide the Word of Truth
Stand for Christ-centered grace doctrine
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21

FINAL THOUGHTS

Christ alone is the foundation
Grace is the governing principle
Paul is our apostle today
Love must accompany truth
Holiness flows from grace
Worship must edify, not entertain
Growth proves health

The greatest red flag is not what a church does wrong—
but when Jesus Christ is no longer the center.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27