09/01/20 DLG FB NOTE... BE CAREFUL HOW YOU JUDGE 09/14/10

09/01/20 DLG FB NOTE... BE CAREFUL HOW YOU JUDGE 09/14/10 

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU JUDGE

GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA APPROVED MINISTRIES
The US Government and the media ridiculed the legitimacy of Jones and his congregation in Florida, based on the size of his group. Since I have not taken the time to investigate Jones and his relationship with God, I don't know what his status is with God or whether his beliefs are Biblical, but smallness does not disqualify anyone. Ask Noah and untold numbers of missionaries throughout Church history. I miss and I would like to pastor a larger church again, but numbers do not validate a ministry or a man. Be careful how you judge. Remember, GOD GIVES THE INCREASE. 

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU BLAME
I do not doubt that some will call this "sour grapes," on my part, since I have a very small church at this time. I am sure there are people who will judge me as either incompetent or disqualified. Fine.

However, there have been in the past and there are presently, many good men and ministries that have not enjoyed numerical growth or have suffered numerical setbacks. In the days ahead we are liable to see more of them than ever before. We should not discount a man or his ministry because of small numbers, any more than we should laud it because it is large.

ADVANTAGES TO LARGER CHURCHES
I have enjoyed flourishing ministries in the past and I have also been pastor of a very small group. I prefer the larger numbers for a couple of reasons, provided there is no difference in the message or faithfulness of the people involved.

First, when a faithful minister, preaching the truth of God in love, has a flourishing ministry, it means that greater numbers of people are getting saved. As an Arminian I believe that sinners are enabled to believe on Christ, rather than the false notion that God unilaterally and unconditionally chooses who will be saved. I like numbers when they represent redeemed Christ followers. The larger church draws more people than the small church. Nothing succeeds like success, they say.

Second, when a ministry has larger numbers, the congregation enjoys greater empowerment to do more work for Christ. They have more money, more spiritual gifts, more workers, more vision, more impact on society. "Many hands make light work" is the old saying.

I AM CONCERNED
I am concerned that Spirit-less ministries get great support, because they LOOK GOOD, and the true work of God sometimes gets ignored or chided because it does not look successful. I am concerned that young ministers gauge their success based on material, carnal, temporal values, such as income, numbers, public popularity.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM PAUL
I believe what Paul said in First Corinthians 4 applies to this subject.

1 Corinthians 4:1-14
(1)  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(2)  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
(3)  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
(4)  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
(5)  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
(6)  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
(7)  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
(8)  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
(9)  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
(10)  We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised.
(11)  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
(12)  And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
(13)  Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
(14)  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL AND LEAVE THE RESULTS WITH GOD
God calls us to be faithful. Be not weary in doing good, for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not. 

Actually, I did not write this about me; in fact I wrote it in spite of me. I am seeing more people get involved with worldly groups than with Biblical ministries. They give themselves, their money, time, talents, influence and family to the shallow or carnal rather than the serious ministries. They want a "feel good" church rather than a "do right" relationship.

In the days ahead this mentality will basically cause people to despise and attack faithful ministries, making it difficult for people to follow Christ.