Beware of the deception that more is better. Today’s Madison Avenue culture of more-and-more has crept into almost every area of our life. If the waiter brings a large helping of food, then it must be good food. The bigger the house must mean better the home. The bigger the price tag the better the product. Of course all sensible people realize that this is not necessarily true. The big plate brought by the waiter can be bad food; and a bigger house does not make it a better home. Nevertheless, there remains this entrenched falsehood in our thought process and it has creep into the body of believers.
In the mist of the church failing to produce disciples and fewer people engaging in reproducing their faith, church leaders are looking to the “more” -- more services, longer worship, stronger preaching, more prayer, more super conferences, and more worship-entertainment centers for answers.
More services or more programs may not be the answer but better services and improved programs may be the answer. A twenty minute sermon that is packed full of useful material and delivered in the power of the spirit is better than any sixty minute lecture. Remember Peter preached for ten minutes and saw three thousand saved. Possibly what we need to seek is not more but better.
Perhaps our passion to “turn things around” needs to begin with an awaking to be better at the ministries we have. This can start with one simple principle found in Ephesians 5:1: “…be imitators of God, as beloved children.” The Apostle Paul made a great impact in a short period with little external help. Why? Because people saw Jesus in him! His life imitated his Lord’s life. It wasn’t more of Paul, or preaching, or programs. It was Paul being like Jesus. The fire that needs to be kindled is “better” imitators of our Lord. If we become better imitators of Christ, we might find that we have “more” imitators of Christ.
If you enjoy Pastor Jim's Wit and Wisdom, then you will love his book,
For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom. Take a peek inside and find out more by
CLICKING HERE.
.png)
Wonderful message! Thanks so much for sharing this on LinkedIn. I just wrote a similar message last week on my blog: http://www.sharingtruths.com/?p=439
ReplyDeleteGod must be speaking this to us. :)
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” If we are following Christ's example we won't have to try to get people into the church. They will be drawn in by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
Blessings to you and your ministry!
Amanda