Saturday, October 28, 2006
Three Church Member Types
Type 3: Faithful Few
“So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.” (Judges 7:8 NIV)
I struggled with coming up with a title for this last group. Of Gideon’s original army, less than 1% would go out to fight the Midianites. Therefore, I will call this group The Faithful Few. One must be careful in interpreting numbers in the Bible. I do not believe, and hope that I am right, that the faithful in our churches today is less than 1%. However, I do believe the number is small.
Several characteristics of the 300 soldiers care over to my church analogy pretty well.
1. As seen in the above verse, the 300 “took over the provisions … of the others.” Often, the truly faithful Christians are the ones who do most of the work at church and commonly hold several positions. They understand, respect, and honor the idea of fellowship and worship; therefore, they work hard to keep these functions successful.
2. “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘… If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp … and listen to what the Midianites are saying.’ So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.” (Judges 7:10, 11)
One common misconception is that the Faithful Few are never afraid. We commonly refer to them as warriors or fighters. But the faithful do fear.
3. “They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands.” (Judges 7:19)
A second misconception is that the faithful are all gifted and talented. But all these 300 soldiers did was blow, yell, and break jars. I believe we all could do that. The faithful do not need degrees or years of experience.
4. “Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.” (Judges 8:4)
Doing the work of the LORD may be exhausting. And you may get little support. Gideon and his men requested food from the officials of Succoth and later Peniel. Neither town was willing to give up their resources.
Next Post: Conclusion
“So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.” (Judges 7:8 NIV)
I struggled with coming up with a title for this last group. Of Gideon’s original army, less than 1% would go out to fight the Midianites. Therefore, I will call this group The Faithful Few. One must be careful in interpreting numbers in the Bible. I do not believe, and hope that I am right, that the faithful in our churches today is less than 1%. However, I do believe the number is small.
Several characteristics of the 300 soldiers care over to my church analogy pretty well.
1. As seen in the above verse, the 300 “took over the provisions … of the others.” Often, the truly faithful Christians are the ones who do most of the work at church and commonly hold several positions. They understand, respect, and honor the idea of fellowship and worship; therefore, they work hard to keep these functions successful.
2. “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘… If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp … and listen to what the Midianites are saying.’ So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.” (Judges 7:10, 11)
One common misconception is that the Faithful Few are never afraid. We commonly refer to them as warriors or fighters. But the faithful do fear.
3. “They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands.” (Judges 7:19)
A second misconception is that the faithful are all gifted and talented. But all these 300 soldiers did was blow, yell, and break jars. I believe we all could do that. The faithful do not need degrees or years of experience.
4. “Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.” (Judges 8:4)
Doing the work of the LORD may be exhausting. And you may get little support. Gideon and his men requested food from the officials of Succoth and later Peniel. Neither town was willing to give up their resources.
Next Post: Conclusion
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Three Church Member Types
Type 2: The Half-Hearted
“And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, “This one shall go with you,” shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, “This one shall not go with you,” shall not go.’ So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.’ And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the LORD said, ‘With the 300 men who lapped I will give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.’” (Gideon 7:4-7 ESV)
The second group who are removed I call The Half-Hearted. They made up a little less than 30% of Gideon’s original army.
The Half-Hearted go to church more often then most. They believe it is important to go to church and try to go as often as they can. More than likely, most of this group was raised in church; their parents went to church, and, therefore, they must go to church. In Gideon’s original army, 10,000 stayed. But how many stayed just because they knew they had no other choice? By parental or peer pressure, they had to stay.
Many commentators suggest that God selected the men who lapped over those who knelt because those who lapped showed alertness and readiness. I personally cannot think of a better reason. Connecting with my analogy, the Half-Hearted rarely take leadership positions or avid following positions. They study their Bible off and on, and their prayer life is a once a day event. Therefore, they are not alert of the various corruptions in the world and not ready to stand up for Christ, the truth. This group might be what John in Revelation refers to as the lukewarm.
“And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, “This one shall go with you,” shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, “This one shall not go with you,” shall not go.’ So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.’ And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the LORD said, ‘With the 300 men who lapped I will give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.’” (Gideon 7:4-7 ESV)
The second group who are removed I call The Half-Hearted. They made up a little less than 30% of Gideon’s original army.
The Half-Hearted go to church more often then most. They believe it is important to go to church and try to go as often as they can. More than likely, most of this group was raised in church; their parents went to church, and, therefore, they must go to church. In Gideon’s original army, 10,000 stayed. But how many stayed just because they knew they had no other choice? By parental or peer pressure, they had to stay.
Many commentators suggest that God selected the men who lapped over those who knelt because those who lapped showed alertness and readiness. I personally cannot think of a better reason. Connecting with my analogy, the Half-Hearted rarely take leadership positions or avid following positions. They study their Bible off and on, and their prayer life is a once a day event. Therefore, they are not alert of the various corruptions in the world and not ready to stand up for Christ, the truth. This group might be what John in Revelation refers to as the lukewarm.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Three Church Member Types
Type 1: The Uncommitted
“Early in the morning, [Gideon] and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce to the people, “Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.”’ So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.” (Judges 7:1-3 NIV)
I believe the modern church can be compared to Gideon’s army. I classify the members of the modern congregations into three categories. The first type I call The Uncommitted. Sadly, this group is by far the largest in our churches today. Nearly 70% of Gideon’s army was uncommitted.
The Uncommitted go to church on most Sunday mornings and occasionally/rarely on Sunday nights. They often mean well but find themselves too busy or too tired to completely participate. Just as most young men in Gideon’s time were expected to join the military service, most church members feel they are expected to attend the worship service. However, those who see attendance as the most important aspect are better off going home.
“Early in the morning, [Gideon] and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce to the people, “Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.”’ So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.” (Judges 7:1-3 NIV)
I believe the modern church can be compared to Gideon’s army. I classify the members of the modern congregations into three categories. The first type I call The Uncommitted. Sadly, this group is by far the largest in our churches today. Nearly 70% of Gideon’s army was uncommitted.
The Uncommitted go to church on most Sunday mornings and occasionally/rarely on Sunday nights. They often mean well but find themselves too busy or too tired to completely participate. Just as most young men in Gideon’s time were expected to join the military service, most church members feel they are expected to attend the worship service. However, those who see attendance as the most important aspect are better off going home.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
? ? ? ?
“When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them …” (Exodus 12:26)
The above verse might appear to be an odd verse to quote. The context is God telling the Israelites how they were to perform the Passover celebration. One key aspect of the celebration was for the children to ask questions. This ritual carries over to the present. Today, devout Jews perform the Passover Seder. The ritual still has a focus on children. Questions and answers are a central device in the Seder ritual. By encouraging children to ask questions, they will be more open to hearing the answer.
About 1000 years after the first Passover meal, the great philosopher Socrates popularizes the Socratic Method. In this method, a series of questions are posed to help a person to determine his underlying beliefs and the extent of his knowledge.
I believe we have forgotten how to ask questions.
I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
--Rudyard Kipling
By the way, the answers yes and no can never answer these questions.
“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
The above verse might appear to be an odd verse to quote. The context is God telling the Israelites how they were to perform the Passover celebration. One key aspect of the celebration was for the children to ask questions. This ritual carries over to the present. Today, devout Jews perform the Passover Seder. The ritual still has a focus on children. Questions and answers are a central device in the Seder ritual. By encouraging children to ask questions, they will be more open to hearing the answer.
About 1000 years after the first Passover meal, the great philosopher Socrates popularizes the Socratic Method. In this method, a series of questions are posed to help a person to determine his underlying beliefs and the extent of his knowledge.
I believe we have forgotten how to ask questions.
I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
--Rudyard Kipling
By the way, the answers yes and no can never answer these questions.
“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Election Time
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. … For he is God’s servant to do you good. … He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. … for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:1, 4, 6 NIV)
The book of Romans was written around 57 A.D. Who was the authority at this time? None other than the famous Emperor Nero. In 57, Nero would have only been 20 years old. The political atmosphere was filled with sexual immorality, murder, thievery, and lasciviousness. Nero would be later connected with the burning of Rome and the killing of several Jews and Christians. Nero was God’s servant?
“Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: ‘Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,’ declares the LORD …” (Jeremiah 24:8, 9)
“Now I [the LORD] will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” (Jeremiah 27:6)
(see also Jeremiah 43:10)
Nebuchadnezzar was the king who destroyed Jerusalem. He also erected a ninety foot golden statue and forced the people to fall down and worship it. Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant?
In the United States we are allowed to vote for our authorities. However, we should not forget it is God in the end who actually establishes our authorities. Our politicians, Democrat or Republican, are God’s servants. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are God’s servants?
The book of Romans was written around 57 A.D. Who was the authority at this time? None other than the famous Emperor Nero. In 57, Nero would have only been 20 years old. The political atmosphere was filled with sexual immorality, murder, thievery, and lasciviousness. Nero would be later connected with the burning of Rome and the killing of several Jews and Christians. Nero was God’s servant?
“Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: ‘Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,’ declares the LORD …” (Jeremiah 24:8, 9)
“Now I [the LORD] will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” (Jeremiah 27:6)
(see also Jeremiah 43:10)
Nebuchadnezzar was the king who destroyed Jerusalem. He also erected a ninety foot golden statue and forced the people to fall down and worship it. Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant?
In the United States we are allowed to vote for our authorities. However, we should not forget it is God in the end who actually establishes our authorities. Our politicians, Democrat or Republican, are God’s servants. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are God’s servants?
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Esther's Response
"Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'" (Esther 4:15-16 NIV)
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Reminder to Esther
“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:12-14 NIV)
Beautiful! Just beautiful!
Beautiful! Just beautiful!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Esther's Task
“[Mordecai] told [the middle man] to urge [Esther] to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. [The middle man] went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, ‘All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life.’” (Esther 4:8-11 NIV)
“‘But,’ the LORD said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’” (Exodus 33:20)
Do you have the courage to approach the living God and plead for those who are lost? Or more convicting to me, do I even care enough about the lost to plead for them before the LORD?
“‘But,’ the LORD said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’” (Exodus 33:20)
Do you have the courage to approach the living God and plead for those who are lost? Or more convicting to me, do I even care enough about the lost to plead for them before the LORD?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Pass Me Not
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Let me at the throne of mercy Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief.
Trusting only in Thy merit, Would I seek Thy face.
Heal my wounded, broken spirit; Save me by Thy grace.
Thou, the Spring of all my comforts, More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in heav'n but Thee?
Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Fanny J. Crosby
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Let me at the throne of mercy Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief.
Trusting only in Thy merit, Would I seek Thy face.
Heal my wounded, broken spirit; Save me by Thy grace.
Thou, the Spring of all my comforts, More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in heav'n but Thee?
Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Fanny J. Crosby
Monday, October 09, 2006
5 Random Proverbs
- If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. Proverbs 26:27
- A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11
- Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. Proverbs 22:28
- There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30
- As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Noble* Peace Price
"Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
*: diliberate spelling
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
*: diliberate spelling
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
One Word
"A lone gunman walked into a one-room schoolhouse in a largely Amish community in southeastern Pennsylvania Monday and shot as many as 10 girls, killing three immediately before turning the gun on himself and dying at the scene, according to the state police." [NEW YORK TIMES]
One word:
EVIL
One word:
EVIL
