---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Churches that should be talking about the…"
description: "\"Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are stuck on recycled pop psychology, moral exho..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png"
---

#  Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ…

![“Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are stuck on recycled pop psychology, moral exhortation, or entertainment. But these fail to speak to the eternal question that haunts all of us: 'How do I know that I'm OK?' We all want to know…” quote by Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png)

> “Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are stuck on recycled pop psychology, moral exhortation, or entertainment. But these fail to speak to the eternal question that haunts all of us: 'How do I know that I'm OK?' We all want to know we are justified.”

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote warns that churches focus on shallow topics instead of addressing deep spiritual assurance and the need for Christ’s work on the cross.

**In simple terms:** Churches ignore deep spiritual needs, focusing on superficial topics.

Key Takeaway

Seek Christ’s work on the cross for true assurance.

Themes

faith grace spiritual assurance church culture theology

Mood

reflective serious hopeful

Type

theological expository pastoral

When to use this quote

- personal crisis
- church teaching
- spiritual counseling
- preaching
- Bible study

Key Concepts

justification reconciliation eternal questions

Questions to Reflect On

- How can believers find assurance beyond emotional comfort?
- What role does community play in spiritual confidence?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook practical guidance for daily living and mental health concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/churches/) [Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Grace of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace-of-god/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pop/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Sinners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinners/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't want to put all the anger you caused me back on you. Though I know I'd be justified but I'm in another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-green/i-don-t-want-to-put-all-the-anger-you-caused-me-back-on-you-though-i/)

[Vivian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-green/)

> [To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/to-suppose-that-whatever-god-requireth-of-us-that-we-have-power-of/)

[John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/)

> [“Guilt should drive us to the cross, but grace must lead us from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-chapell/guilt-should-drive-us-to-the-cross-but-grace-must-lead-us-from-it/)

[Bryan Chapell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-chapell/)

> [If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-our-identity-is-in-our-work-rather-than-christ-success-will-go-to/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [When we work for Christ out of obligation, it feels like work. But when we truly love Christ, our work is a manifestation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/when-we-work-for-christ-out-of-obligation-it-feels-like-work-but-when/)

[Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/)

> [There are two main reasons why we may not be bringing forth the fruit we should. It may be because of ignorance, because we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/there-are-two-main-reasons-why-we-may-not-be-bringing-forth-the-fruit/)

[Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/)

> [Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done ... I go to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/until-my-work-on-this-earth-is-done-i-am-immortal-but-when-my-work/)

[John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/)

> [God has set up a high standard of righteousness. He has made plain a distinction between human and divine wisdom. All who work on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/god-has-set-up-a-high-standard-of-righteousness-he-has-made-plain-a/)

[Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/)

> [“The work of Christ on the cross did not influence God to love us, did not increase that love by one degree, did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross-did-not-influence-god-to-love-us-did/)

[A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/)

> [The pursuit of things robs me of investing more in the work of Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-hyles/the-pursuit-of-things-robs-me-of-investing-more-in-the-work-of-christ/)

[Jack Hyles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-hyles/)

> [ I \[will\] not go to heaven because I am a preacher. I am going to heaven entirely on the merit of the work of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-will-not-go-to-heaven-because-i-am-a-preacher-i-am-going-to-heaven/)

[Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/)

> [“The words of Christ bring comfort to all who are afflicted with their own sinfulness, “I am telling you the truth: whoever hears my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-daily/the-words-of-christ-bring-comfort-to-all-who-are-afflicted-with-their/)

[Steve Daily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-daily/)

> [We work because we have not seen the work of Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/we-work-because-we-have-not-seen-the-work-of-christ/)

[Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/)

> [What self-righteous persons take to themselves, is the same work that Christ was engaged in when He was in His agony and bloody sweat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/what-self-righteous-persons-take-to-themselves-is-the-same-work-that/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [“For me, the heart of Christianity is, a sincere respect of reality in God's creation, purpose and redemptive work in Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-o-ryan/for-me-the-heart-of-christianity-is-a-sincere-respect-of-reality-in/)

Barry O'Ryan

## More by Kevin DeYoung

> [“Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/worry-about-the-future-is-not-simply-a-character-tic-it-is-the-sin-of/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-nothing-gray-about-whether-a-follower-of-christ-should-see/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [A catechism is simply a tool for teaching the fundamentals of the faith. Unlike a creed or confession, a catechism uses questions and answers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/a-catechism-is-simply-a-tool-for-teaching-the-fundamentals-of-the/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/live-for-god-obey-the-scriptures-think-of-others-before-yourself-be/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-kills-more-christians-than-bullets/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Grace is free, but it's not cheap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/grace-is-free-but-it-s-not-cheap/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [If there really is a perfect will of God we are meant to discover, in which we will find tremendous freedom and fulfillment, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/if-there-really-is-a-perfect-will-of-god-we-are-meant-to-discover-in/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/seek-first-the-kingdom-of-god-and-then-trust-that-he-will-take-care/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [There is no sin so prevalent, so insidious, and so deep as the sin of fearing people more than we fear God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-no-sin-so-prevalent-so-insidious-and-so-deep-as-the-sin-of/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [“The pursuit of holiness is not a quixotic effort to do just what Jesus did. It’s the fight to live out the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-pursuit-of-holiness-is-not-a-quixotic-effort-to-do-just-what/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Offendedness is just about the last shared moral currency in our country. And, I'm sorry, but it's really annoying. We don't discuss ideas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/offendedness-is-just-about-the-last-shared-moral-currency-in-our/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [The finality of Christs redemption for us is intimately tied to the finality of his revelation to us. . . . If we say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-finality-of-christs-redemption-for-us-is-intimately-tied-to-the/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Everything before Jesus is preface. Everything after Jesus is appendix. Jesus is the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/everything-before-jesus-is-preface-everything-after-jesus-is-appendix/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [Sometimes feeling overwhelmed is part of what it means to be a Christian. You can't bear somebody else's burden unless you are taking something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/sometimes-feeling-overwhelmed-is-part-of-what-it-means-to-be-a/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

> [“Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/faith-and-good-works-are-both-necessary-but-one-is-the-root-and-the/)

[Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

[Explore all 295 Kevin DeYoung quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/)

## More About quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/)

[Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/)

> [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

Browse all 26,122 About quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are stuck on recycled pop psychology, moral exhortation, or entertainment. But these fail to speak to the eternal question that haunts all of us: 'How do I know that I'm OK?' We all want to know we are justified.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kevin DeYoung"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/churches-that-should-be-talking-about-the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "About"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/churches-that-should-be-talking-about-the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/kevin-deyoung-1086_about_churches-that-should-be-talking-about-th_219195.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Churches that should be talking about the work of Christ on the cross and the grace of God for sinners are…” — Kevin DeYoung",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Kevin DeYoung",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Churches that should be talking about...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/churches-that-should-be-talking-about-the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/churches-that-should-be-talking-about-the-work-of-christ-on-the-cross/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
