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Kyle Matthews Gives A Sermon in Song
by Matt Welch
On stage in Moore Auditorium, March 21
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He was told from day one that less is more in the music business. If he wanted to sell chart-topping songs, he would have to condense his ideas into short, snappy lyrics that would stick. But song-writer and performer Kyle Matthews just couldn't do this; he wanted something different. He wanted to give people more.
"There are no new stories to tell," said Matthews, "because Christ cornered the market." All he tries to do is fill in the gaps of Christ's message with everyday applications. "Christ's life was so remarkable that it demands a huge response. The church is not where it should be. I try to bring light to our dark regions so we can better represent Christ and bring people into his glorious salvation."
In his concert at Mars Hill College on March 21, Matthews boldly shared with the crowd of around 150 people exactly what was on his heart. It is his mission to do this: to help people see an authentic walk with Christ. "You can get far in life by making things sound happy and good, but that doesn't help me. Our faith, Christianity, must be transformational." His lyrics sparked deep thought and conviction about a religion that is stagnant in such a needy world.
"The problem with Americans is that we love when it feels good. Most of the way we love others is usually another way to love ourselves. That's why Christians must wake up and see Christ as He truly is. Jesus brings a rebellious message to our culture."
Matthews said that when Christians embrace violence and patriotism and the accumulation of wealth, they are just following the current of mainline culture. "When we confront the reality of who Christ is, we cannot stay the same...
"I have given up on a church where good people go to make good people contacts, and where only perfect people identify with each other. I've given up on a religion that doesn't change anybody's life. I've given up on one that isn't honest about how hard it is to follow Christ. I'm done with religion that doesn't meet people where they are; religion that doesn't do anybody any good." His message to the church can be summed up in one of his song lyrics: "The door that Christ has opened is not for me to close."
He said the church has left out a major part of its foundation: confession. "Confession is the first thing we left out when we began to modernize the church. There has been zero statistical growth in the church, and we spend trillions. Where is our fruit? Confession is the criteria for membership into Christianity. We've taken it out of the church for the convenience of everyone when Christ did nothing out of convenience and comfort. There are so many secular organizations that put us to shame."
Throughout the night Matthews spoke and sang about Christ's love. "All religions offer something, but the thing that makes Christianity different is that Jesus was motivated by love. Human decency demands that people make room." After saying this, he sang, "The richest people I have found choose to make room. Love can make room."
Matthews ended the night by singing a song that goes like this: "My heart knows my home is You." His message portrayed an intelligent, deliberate pursuit of Jesus Christ. "If Jesus is not the Christ, what messiah would you trade for Him? I'll take my chances with Christ."
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