10. People who get worked up about a shoe that supposedly doesn’t fit. Ever heard the saying, “If the shoe fits—wear it?” Well the same should go for the shoe that doesn’t fit—If it doesn’t, don’t worry about it. Unless it does. Maybe it does. Does it?
9. Deal breakers that aren’t. “I’m leaving such and such church because they (fill in the blank). But then the pious church hopper goes to another church where the purportedly offensive issue is a hallmark. Can you say, ‘hypocrite?’
8. Waiting to Pounce. Luke 14:1 says,
“1One Sabbath,(A) when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were(B) watching him carefully.” — Isn’t that nice of the Pharisees to watch out for Jesus like that? Oh wait, they weren’t watching out for Him, they were watching out to trap him. They wanted to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.
Did you catch that? If Jesus would what? HEAL! Miraculously, supernaturally, mercifully, lovingly restore hope and vitality to a hurting human being. Jesus healed on the Sabbath all the time—incredible miracles—but the religious leaders discarded the supernatural in favor of the man made rules and regulations.
People do this in churches all the time—200 people can get saved and they want to know why you didn’t use the King James version! The Holy Spirit can descend upon the place and a movement of God ensue yet there’s always one or two who want to know if you have the proper level of accountability (translation? Why don’t I get to call the shots?!).
These are the same people who—when Jesus returns will probably miss it because they’ll be arguing about whether it’s the rapture or the 2nd coming. Like the Pharisees of old, they’re always ready to pounce, but never stop to ask themselves why.
Nough said.
7. People Pleasing. Hey pastors? If you haven’t figured this one out yet—hopefully you will. You can’t please everyone. Anytime you make a move there will be those for it and those against. Just make sure you’re following Jesus and this will cease to matter.
6. Disdain for the Bride Imagine if someone said to me, “I like you, pastor Rob–It’s your wife I can’t stand! Can we still be great friends?” Um, NO! Michelle is my bride. Say something bad about her and you might get the right hand of fellowship–to the throat.
But people act this way all the time toward the Bride of Christ–maybe they like a pastor, but hate the music. Like the worship but hate the pastor–like the people and warmth, but despise the vision… Guess what? For me, dissing Southbrook–trashing my church, is a deal-breaker. It’s like saying derogatory things about my wife. It’s a package deal. Nough said.
5. A Lack of Reverence. I’m sure this one breaks the heart of God. But not only do we see young people and adults alike taking the Lord’s name in vain—but we also see almost no difference between those who claim the name of Christ and those who do not. Christians have even come up with there own imitation irreverence. Sure, we don’t say the same four letter words, but we have a stand in for every one of the gosh, darn, gees, freakin things—don’t we?
4. A Lack of Honor. Hey listen, I’m familiar with Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard, and a whole slew of others. I get it. They didn’t represent well. But does that mean we swing the pendulum all the way to the other side and start treating pastors like the dog poop we clean off the bottom of our shoes? When I was growing up I had such a reverence for pastors—missionaries—and anyone else who gave their whole life to the Lord’s work I could hardly talk to them without stammering. I understood the sacrifice and difficulties of their lives even as a kid. Today, to hear the way some people talk to or about pastors makes me cringe. I Tim. 5:17-18 says, “17Give double honor to spiritual leaders[a] who handle their duties well. This is especially true if they work hard at teaching the word of God. 18After all, Scripture says, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing[b] grain,” and “The worker deserves his pay.”
3. Group Think
A pastor friend of mine was lamenting the fact that several hundred people had followed someone out the back door who was causing division and slandering the church. He felt helpless even though he knew things about the individual that should have disqualified him for the ministry altogether. Bottom-line? The man was a criminal and leading an unsuspecting flock of sheep. This in and of itself infuriates me. Listen to what God’s Word says about this,
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 This “pastor” shouldn’t even be in ministry at all! As I said, He’s disqualified–yet my friend felt helpless to do anything about it. In fact, he told me to accept one painful truth—“relationships trump everything.”
I’m happy to say I’ve yet to accept this. You know what trumps everything? God’s Word!
Do you have “friends” that have told you to follow them but seem to have no good reason? God’s truth needs to trump that friendship.
2. People who won’t share the gospel. Oh I’ve heard every excuse on this one—non biblical excuses–that is.
* I don’t know enough about the Bible
* Evangelism just isn’t my gift
* I’ll let my pastor handle that one
* God already knows who is going to be saved. I’ll trust His sovereignty.
1. People Followers
I Cor. 1:10-17 says, “10I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no(Q) divisions among you, but that you be united(R) in the same mind and the same judgment. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is(S) quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that(T) each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow(U) Apollos,” or “I follow(V) Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13(W) Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you(X) baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except(Y) Crispus and(Z) Gaius, 15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also(AA) the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and(AB) not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Bottom-line, if we follow a man—we will be disappointed. If we follow Christ—we will be set free!
1a. Top 10 Lists! LOL!