Sanctified Excuses For Non-Growth (Part 2)

March 24, 2010

Excuse #2 – Our size is simply a sign of the times.

Without a doubt there will be a time of great apostasy before Jesus returns. The Bible warns of this great falling away at the end of time. 1 Thess 2:3 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…”. So, we should expect nothing different. However, never was this statement, by Paul to the church of Thessalonica, intended to be a used as an excuse to sit back on our laurels and simply accept as a matter of fact, “this is the way it is.” Nor should we quote Matt 7:14 “broad is the road to destruction and narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” as a justification for inactivity.

Some, well-meaning leaders have used 2 Tim 2:2-4 “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” as an excuse for poor functional systems, bad planning and no evangelistic direction. Make no mistake, the scripture is clear that many will not receive God’s word regardless what we say, but that fact cannot be a justification for our smallness or lack of growth. We must not use scriptures of this nature to “proof text” our behavior.

Who knew the condition of mankind better than Jesus? He understood the hardness of men’s hearts and what the end of time would hold. Yet, he was urgently driven to share the Kingdom of God with all who would listen. Jesus told the truth every time he opened his mouth. What was the response? “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.” Matt 4:25. Did many reject him? YES! But many also followed.

Bottom line is this: We can never, and should never accept that fact that our church is not growing as a “sing of the times.” As people of grace, we should be compelled by love and driven to share with all, whenever and wherever we can. Will we be rejected? YES! But every no brings us closer to a “YES” for the glory of God’s kingdom.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal 6:9

Posted 3/24/2010 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment