What Happens When Churches Forget the Gospel?
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received…”
The church in Corinth had massive issues. Division, disorder, doctrinal confusion, and moral compromise just to name a few. And yet, under all those surface-level issues, Paul identified one root cause: they had taken their eyes off the gospel.
That’s why he wrote 1 Corinthians—to call the church back to the foundation. Paul wasn’t introducing new techniques or trendy strategies. He was reminding them of the message they had received, the one they stood on, and the only one that could save them.
Because when a church forgets the gospel, everything begins to unravel.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:1–3 help us see five marks of what must be guarded, and what starts to fall apart when the gospel is no longer our focus.
When the Gospel Is Assumed
Paul begins 1 Corinthians 15 with these words: “I would remind you…” That phrase should stop us in our tracks. He’s speaking to Christians, to church members, and to believers who already know the gospel. But he reminds them anyway.
Why? Because assuming the gospel is the first step toward losing it.
Paul doesn't launch into a new teaching—he repeats the foundational one. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, just as the Scriptures foretold (vv. 3–4). This is the message of first importance.
Churches often drift not because they deny the gospel, but because they assume it. It becomes background noise rather than the soundtrack. They get preoccupied with programs, strategies, or social impact—and slowly, the core message fades.
But if the gospel isn’t the main thing, everything else will fall apart.
When the Gospel Is Replaced
Paul says that the gospel was something he “delivered” to the Corinthians (v. 3). It wasn’t his invention. It wasn’t open for revision. It was entrusted to him by God, and his job was to faithfully proclaim it.
That’s our job, too.
Sadly, many churches today have traded the role of gospel herald for the role of cultural entertainer. Instead of proclaiming good news, they perform. Instead of calling people to repentance, they keep people amused. Evangelism gives way to entertainment.
But a church that forgets its calling will lose its power. You can gather a crowd without preaching the gospel—but you can’t build a church without it.
Faithful churches don’t seek to impress. They seek to deliver the message they’ve received, without editing, softening, or reshaping it.
When the Gospel Is Forgotten in Daily Life
Paul reminds the Corinthians that the gospel was not only preached to them, but also “received.” That’s conversion language. But receiving the gospel isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily necessity.
Some believers think the gospel is only for unbelievers. But spiritually healthy Christians know they need it every day. The gospel isn’t just how we begin the Christian life; it’s how we grow, endure, and thrive.
When the gospel is forgotten in daily life, we begin measuring our worth by performance. We rely on effort instead of grace. We live as though God’s acceptance rises and falls with our behavior.
But when the gospel is remembered, it brings rest. It reminds us that our identity is secure in Christ—not in our achievements, not in our failures, but in the finished work of our crucified and risen Savior.
When the Gospel Is Not the Foundation
Paul says the gospel is that “in which you stand.” That’s a metaphor of stability and foundation.
Churches that forget the gospel begin to shift. They become defined by personalities, programs, or preferences. They might still use gospel language, but it’s no longer the driving force behind preaching, discipleship, missions, or worship.
But healthy churches stand firm. They build everything on the good news of Jesus.
That doesn’t mean they neglect other ministries. It means all their ministries are shaped by and saturated with gospel truth. Whether they’re counseling the struggling, sending missionaries, or discipling young believers, the gospel is the motivation, the method, and the goal.
When the Gospel Is Not Gripped
Finally, Paul says the gospel is that “by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word.” That’s not about earning salvation—it’s about showing that our faith is real.
Genuine believers hold fast to the gospel. They don’t trade it in when things get hard or when culture pushes back. They don’t upgrade it for something more “relevant.” They cling to Christ as their only hope.
Churches that lose the gospel don’t just become ineffective—they reveal that their foundation was never truly in Christ to begin with.
But churches that hold fast? They may not be flashy. They may not be popular. But they will be faithful.
Never Graduate from the Gospel
The gospel isn’t just an entry point. It’s the foundation we build on, the fuel we draw from, and the anchor that holds us fast. The moment a church assumes it, marginalizes it, or replaces it is the moment that church begins to drift. A church that forgets the gospel may still exist on paper; but it will wither spiritually.
Faithful churches keep the gospel front and center. They proclaim it boldly. They receive it daily. They stand on it firmly. And they cling to it no matter the cost.