“When the Cross Falls: More Than a Maintenance Issue”
Rooted or Just Religious?
Main Text:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”
— Matthew 7:21 (NASB)
“Take a look at this image for a moment…”
What do you see?
Maybe you see an old, weathered cross.
Maybe you see a quiet, country church.
Maybe you see something broken…
Maybe you see something forgotten.
But here’s what I saw this week—
A warning – this is more than a maintenance issue
A question – are you rooted or just religious
A cross that fell.
Not from wind.
Not from vandalism.
Not from an accident.
But from the slow, quiet rot at the base.
Outwardly, it looked strong. But beneath the surface… it was dying.
And that—right there—is a picture of so many lives today.
They carry the cross as jewelry, post verses on social media, show up some on Sundays, their “checking the boxes”…
But underneath… something’s crumbling and some are completely unaware what’s happening.
Let me tell you the story that shook me this week…
INTRODUCTION: THE FALLEN CROSS
What you just saw was real.
This week, I came across a story—and an image—that stopped me in my tracks.
A cross, once standing proudly outside a church, had fallen.
Not because of a storm.
Not because someone hit it.
Not because of lightning or vandalism.
It fell because the wood at the foundation—the part no one sees—had rotted away.
On the outside, it still looked strong. Still looked sacred. Still looked like faith.
But deep down… decay had been eating away for years.
And finally, what looked solid… collapsed.
Folks—that is a picture of “cultural Christianity”.
We live in a world where faith can be framed, posted, worn, and rehearsed—but not rooted.
It looks like belief.
It sounds like devotion.
But it’s all built on a foundation that’s slowly crumbling… and nobody sees it until it falls.
Jesus warned us about this.
In Matthew 7:21, He said:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”
That’s not about how we look. That’s about who we are.
Let’s go there today.
Let’s talk about real faith.
Let’s talk about not just checking the boxes but building a foundation.
Because the cross outside may have fallen…
But the Cross of Christ still stands—and it’s calling us deeper.
POINT 1: THE DANGER OF APPEARANCE WITHOUT SUBSTANCE
“Having a form of godliness, but denying its power; avoid such people as these.” — 2 Timothy 3:5 (NASB)
What Does It Mean to Have a Form of Godliness?
Paul describes people who “look godly” on the surface but deny the transforming power of the gospel in their lives.
That’s like wearing a jersey but never playing the game.
It’s showing up to the wedding but never saying “I do.”
It’s hanging a cross on your wall but never kneeling before it.
Scripture Examples of Hollow Religion:
- Isaiah 29:13 –
“This people approaches Me with their words and honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me...”
➤ God is not fooled by worship songs sung from cold hearts. - Matthew 23:27 –
“Woe to you...hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones…”
➤ Jesus called out religious people who looked holy but were spiritually decaying inside. - Revelation 3:1 –
“You have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead.”
➤ To everyone else, the church at Sardis looked alive. But Jesus saw the truth.
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES OF “CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY” TODAY:
- Social Media Christianity – “The Filtered Faith”
People post verses in their social media bio or share a meme that says “God is good”…
But they haven’t read their Bible, outside of church, in months, years, or never.
They’re more influenced by influencers than the Spirit of God.
They’ll repost “#blessed” on Sunday…
But curse someone out on Monday.
Looks like faith. Sounds like faith. But where’s the fruit?
They post like a believer but live like a follower of trends. Looks polished on the feed, but shallow in the heart.
“You will know them by their fruits… A good tree cannot bear bad fruit.”
— Matthew 7:16–18 (NASB)
- Holiday-Only Faith – “The Christmas and Candle Crowd”
Churches are packed on Christmas and Easter.
But for many, Jesus is a seasonal figure—just like mistletoe or pastel eggs.
He’s not Lord of their lives; He’s a holiday tradition.
They light a candle in December but live in darkness in January.
They show up on Easter and Christmas, but Jesus is more tradition than Lord. It’s sentimental, but not surrendered.
Jesus is the holiday… not the hope.
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
— Luke 6:46 (NASB)
- Generational Christianity Without Personal Faith – “The Hand Me Down Believer”
Some grew up in church, so they assume they’re saved.
“My parents tithed. My grandma prayed. I was baptized at 10.”
But there’s no current walk with Jesus. Just old memories.
They inherited church attendance but never met the Savior for themselves. Their faith is secondhand, not born-again.
Being near church doesn’t mean you’re near Christ.
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord…’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you.’”
— Matthew 7:22–23 (NASB)
- Busy but Barren – “The Hustling Hollow”
People volunteer, serve, tithe, and some even teach…
But their private life is dry.
They haven’t prayed in weeks. Haven’t repented in months.
They’re doing God’s work, but their hearts are far from Him.
They serve in every ministry but starve in private. Doing all the things… but missing the One who matters most.
They’re spiritually active but emotionally absent.
“Martha, Martha…you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary.”
— Luke 10:41–42 (NASB)
In this story, for example, of Martha and Mary, Jesus commended Mary—not for doing more—but for being with Him.
MODERN WARNING SIGNS OF HOLLOW RELIGION:
Ask your congregation:
- Do I know a lot about Jesus, but rarely talk to Him? Not just “pray” but really talk to Him?
- Am I more passionate about politics than the gospel?
- Do I post online like a Christian but react in situations of life like a heathen?
- Do I feel more convicted by missing a TV show or concert than skipping my Bible reading, my prayer time, or my church attendance?
KEY TAKEAWAY:
We don’t need more appearances of faith—we need more authentic followers of Jesus.
Let’s not mistake Christian habits for Christ-centered hearts.
Let’s not be satisfied with the look of the cross while ignoring the life it calls us to.
POINT 2: THE FOUNDATION THAT MATTERS
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24 (NASB)
A Strong Life Requires a Strong Foundation
Jesus gives us a sobering parable in Matthew 7. Two men build houses—one on the rock, one on the sand. Both houses look fine… until the storm hits. Then the truth is revealed.
Let’s be honest: storms always reveal what construction couldn’t hide.
A HIDDEN PROBLEM: FOUNDATIONS ROT IN SILENCE
When the cross outside the church fell, it wasn’t because of what was visible.
It was because of what was hidden—the base had rotted. That’s the story of too many lives today.
- You don’t usually see a marriage collapse overnight.
- People don’t just walk away from church randomly.
- Pastors don’t suddenly fall into moral failure.
Most of the time, the foundation has been quietly eroding for years.
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
— Psalm 11:3 (NASB)
TODAY’S FOUNDATION ISSUES
Here are just a few ways modern believers suffer from weak or compromised spiritual foundations:
- Biblical Illiteracy
People own five Bibles, yet barely know what's inside.
They scroll social media for an hour, or hours, but don’t spend ten minutes in the Word.
So, when trouble comes, they quote phrases like:
- “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” (Not in the Bible.) [1 Cor 10:13]
- “Follow your heart.” (Actually, the Bible says the heart is deceitful.) [Jer 17:9]
Without truth in your foundation, you build a spiritual house on lies.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” — Hosea 4:6 (NASB)
- Faith Built on Feelings
Many people today live by what “feels right” rather than what is right.
But feelings fluctuate.
One moment you're on fire for God…
The next you're doubting your salvation over a bad day/season.
Emotions are great windows. But they’re terrible foundations.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
— Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB)
“We walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB)
- Secondhand Spirituality
Too many believers are living off of other people’s faith—
- A parent’s walk with Jesus
- A spouse’s prayer life
- A pastor’s Sunday sermon
But secondhand faith can’t hold up first-hand storms.
“But the wise took oil in flasks with their lamps... and the door was shut.”
— Matthew 25:1–13 (NASB, Parable of the Ten Virgins)
Only the ones who had their own oil were ready.
MODERN ILLUSTRATION: THE FLAWED FOUNDATION
Imagine a young couple building their dream home. The framing looks good, the finishes are beautiful, the furniture is perfect. But the builder used cheap material for the foundation.
You can’t see the flaw.
It doesn’t squeak.
It doesn’t lean.
It doesn’t crack—yet.
But one flood, one shift in the ground, and the whole house is condemned.
That’s what happens when your walk with Jesus is built on culture, emotion, or convenience instead of His Word.
APPLICATION: HOW TO BUILD ON THE ROCK
If we want to stand strong when the pressure comes—and it will—we must:
- Anchor to Scripture
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
Not just when it's convenient. Every day. Let the Word of God form you, not just inspire you.
- Practice Obedience
“The one who hears My words and does them...” — Matthew 7:24
Not just knowing truth—but living it. That’s how your foundation is reinforced.
- Let God Inspect the Base
“Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23 (NASB)
Invite God to check the unseen corners of your life. The parts others don’t see but storms will test.
CHALLENGE: DO A FOUNDATION CHECK THIS WEEK
Ask:
- Is my faith built on God’s truth or my assumptions?
- Do I have a personal, daily time with the Lord—or am I spiritually outsourcing?
- If hardship hit today—would my faith stand, or snap?
You can’t fake a real foundation.
You can’t Instagram or FaceBook stability.
But you can build something that lasts—if you build it on the Rock.
POINT 3: THE INVITATION TO DIG DEEP
This fallen cross isn’t just a warning. It’s an invitation.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NASB)
THE FALLEN CROSS ISN’T JUST A WARNING—IT’S A CALL TO WAKE UP AND DIG DEEP
The cross falling outside the church could have been written off as a maintenance issue.
But spiritually, it’s a prophetic mirror. It invites us to go below the surface—to where things are often left unchecked. It asks a bold question:
"Is what’s holding up my life strong enough to hold during the storm?"
It’s easy to look the part on Sunday.
But the invitation of Jesus has never been about performance—it’s about depth.
DIGGING DEEP MEANS REFUSING TO SETTLE FOR SHALLOW FAITH
Let’s be honest—shallow roots are everywhere today.
- We’re overconnected but under-committed.
Constant social media, constant distraction. We skim devotionals instead of meditating on the Word. - We’re more interested in convenience than conviction.
We'll rearrange our schedule for Netflix or entertainment, but not for prayer, for church, or for the gospel. - We want revival… but not repentance.
We want God to move publicly but don’t want to humble ourselves privately.
But here’s the truth: You can’t go high in the Kingdom if you won’t go deep in your character.
“Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord… For he will be like a tree planted by the water… It will not fear when the heat comes, but its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought…”
— Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NASB)
The trees that stand in drought are the ones that dug down before the drought ever came.
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES OF DIGGING DEEP
- The Businessman Who Finally Stopped Faking It
He showed up to church every week.
He looked successful.
But when the pressure came—his marriage cracked, his peace shattered, and his private sin was exposed.
The fall didn’t happen overnight—it was a slow decay. But in that breaking, he finally dug deep.
He got into spiritual counseling.
He repented.
He rebuilt his life—not on appearance, but on Jesus.
- The Teen Who Discovered the Bible Wasn’t Boring
She grew up in church but always saw the Bible as a checklist.
Then, during a hard season—betrayal, anxiety, loneliness—she stopped just attending youth group and started really reading the Word for herself.
And the Word became alive.
Now, she’s the one helping others dig deep—not because she was perfect, but because she realized shallow faith doesn’t survive real storms.
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”
— Psalm 119:11 (NASB)
PRACTICAL WAYS TO DIG DEEP THIS WEEK
Here are actionable steps you can challenge your people to take:
- Unhurried Time in the Word
Not a rushed devotional. Not background noise.
Set a time. Open your Bible. Ask God to speak—and stay there until He does.
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130 (NASB)
- Brutally Honest Prayer
Drop the religious language. Stop pretending with God.
Pray like David: raw, real, repentant.
“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”
— Psalm 139:23–24 (NASB)
- Invite Accountability – Don’t Run From It
Tell someone what God is showing you.
Shallow faith hides. Deep faith confesses and grows.
“Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” — James 5:16 (NASB)
KEY CHALLENGE:
Ask your church:
- When’s the last time you really sat still with God?
- Are there places in your life where it looks strong—but the base is secretly weak?
- If Jesus inspected your life today, would He find a living relationship, or just spiritual residue?
GOOD NEWS: THE CROSS STILL STANDS—AND CHRIST STILL CALLS
Even though the wood of the cross fell, the work of the Cross stands forever.
Jesus doesn’t shame those who realize they’ve built on sand. He invites them to rebuild.
That’s grace.
If something’s rotting underneath, you don’t need to fake it. You just need to let the Master Carpenter start over.
ILLUSTRATION: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEARING A CROSS AND CARRYING IT
Anyone can wear a cross.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Put it around your neck.”
He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
To carry a cross means to die to self.
To crucify comfort.
To walk in obedience.
To love like Jesus.
To be transformed.
And that transformation starts beneath the surface.
CLOSING: WHEN THE CROSS FELL, CHRIST STILL STOOD
Let me leave you with this:
The cross outside that church may have fallen.
But the Christ of the Cross still stands.
He stands for you.
He stands with you.
He stands ready to rebuild what’s broken, to restore what’s rotting, and to renew what’s grown religious.
INVITATION / ALTAR CALL
Maybe today, God is showing you an area of quiet rot.
Don’t ignore it. Don’t cover it up.
Bring it to the cross—because that’s where dead things come alive.
Maybe you've looked like a Christian for a long time but have never truly surrendered.
Today is the day to stop looking the part and start living the power of the cross.
PRAYER:
“Lord Jesus,
Today I’m not asking You to just fix what’s broken.
I’m asking You to search my heart and reveal what’s rotting.
Remove every religious mask. Expose the hollow places.
And rebuild me—not with the appearance of faith,
But with a faith that is rooted, real, and ready to stand.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
