Some and the Few

Mathew 28:16-17

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

The church Jesus started had the same problems that every church today has. Today’s problems are not any different from the past. Whether it is the church Jesus started or the churches in the book of Revelation, all churches have people in them who do the same things. Every church has five groups of people.

The first group is the group that comes for a short time and then leaves. It was Judas Iscariot who followed Jesus for three years and then left Him to join the enemies of Christ so that he could betray Him. Every church will have people who only come briefly and then leave. I would hate to be the one who leaves a good church for money or for being disgruntled. Judas left for both reasons, but his ending was a tragic one. You cannot leave the church and expect your ending to be good. If Judas’ ending was tragic, so will yours.

The second group is the group that doubts. The disciples went to meet Jesus in a mountain he appointed for them to meet at, but some doubted. The doubters are those who don't believe everything is as important as is presented. The doubters come to most of the services, but their doubt keeps them from getting involved. This crowd doubts the pastor’s vision, the importance of souls being saved and baptized weekly, and they doubt their church will hit a big goal. This doubting crowd often affects others to the detriment of the church’s growth.

The third crowd are the critics. When a woman poured oil from her alabaster box on the head of Jesus, the Scriptures record that the disciples had indignation, and felt what this woman did was a waste. The critics will always criticize what God is doing in a church, but never let the critics dictate the narrative of your life or church. Critics are simply losers who are too lazy to work, so their only success is to criticize the winners. Don’t give heed to critics; they may sound spiritual, but they are simply a voice Satan uses to try to discourage you as you attempt to reach the lost and build a church.

The fourth crowd are worldly-focused believers. This is the crowd that says, I go a fishing. This crowd is quick to miss church services and won't be involved in serving in the church because they are too busy with their worldly entertainment. This crowd often says they don't want to lose their children because they are “too busy in the church.” However, this crowd is not concerned about losing their children, they are concerned with their worldly living. This crowd will irritate the pastor because they have so much potential to help the church, but their worldly heart keeps them from serving in the church.

The fifth crowd are those who observe all things. This crowd is often a small percentage of the church, but it is this crowd that sees God work the miraculous through their efforts. This crowd is the few, but God has always used the few or the remnant to do His great works through.

My hope is that you are the fifth crowd. If you are the fifth crowd, don't run off the other four crowds, but pray for them. If you are part of the other four groups, I challenge you to become the fifth crowd, for it is this crowd that enjoys God’s blessings and miracles that come from serving Him by faith.