Recovering From Church Hurt
Pastor Victor Massey
Part of Recovering from Church Hurt
April 7, 2024

Church Hurt Defined:
Pain inflicted by a religious institution or by religious people.

2 Timothy 4:9-17, NKJV
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion.

1. When the Church Hurts Me…I Have Got to Acknowledge the Hurt

2 Timothy 4:9-10, NKJV
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

2 Timothy 4:16, NKJV
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

Key Thought: Acknowledging your wound is the first step toward healing your wound.

Psalm 142:1-2, NLT
I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles.

2. When the Church Hurts Me…I Have Got to Let the Lord Deal with Those Who Hurt Me

2 Timothy 4:14-15, NKJV
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

Romans 12:19, NIV
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

**Key Thought: **Let go and let God!

3. When the Church Hurts Me…I Don’t Give Up on All People Because of Some People

2 Timothy 4:9-11, NKJV
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is withme. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

Key Thought: People can cause hurt, but they’re also the ones God uses to offer help and bring healing.

4. When the Church Hurts Me…I Don’t Confuse God with the People of God

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ. (Ghandi)

2 Timothy 4:16-17, NKJV
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion.

Key Thought: People will disappoint you and let you down, but God never will.

5. When the Church Hurts Me…I Don’t Forfeit My Purpose Because of the Pain

2 Timothy 4:17, NKJV
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion.

Key Thought: Pain doesn’t stop your purpose, but the wrong reaction to pain will stop it.

Colossians 3:13, NLT
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the
Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Key Thought: My calling is too great, and my God is too good, for me to let the pain from people steal my purpose.