A Tale of Two (Matthew 12:33; James 3:11-12; Mathew 9:36-38; John 4:35; Mark 9:33-36; 10:43-45)

The Proof is in the Pudding

The old English expression is derived from an even older proverb that states, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'. In other words, whether something has value, or is good, is based on the results experienced by the person or persons tasting or experiencing it. You can tell whether the pudding tastes good or not, by trying it, and no matter what anyone says about it, the quality, or lack thereof, is in how it actually, literally tastes.

Intrinsic Need

There seems to be intrinsic in people the need for affirmation, which is not a bad thing, because people need to know that they are valuable; that their lives have worth; that there is meaning to what they do, and who they are, however, sometimes, and probably much more common than we care to admit, people want credit and affirmation, when their behavior is not worthy of such distinction.

What Kind of Fruit?

Jesus said, "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit" (Matt.12:33). James, by the Spirit of God states, "Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain yield both saltwater and fresh" (James 3:11-12).

In other words, whatever is coming out of the life of an individual, or whatever leadership is producing, that's exactly the type of person and leadership that it is; it isn't anything else. Years ago, there was a pastor of a small church, in a very small town, that was constantly speaking from the pulpit, about all the great things that their church was doing; to the dumbfoundment of the congregation, who, like the town, was small, limited in impact, and producing very minimal results in the community, with little or no outreach in the area, to actually win people to Christ. The words expressed a total detachment from the reality of the actual results.

Church Size

The average church size, in attendance, in North America, is around 65 people. The average Evangelical, Pentecostal [with a belief in praying in tongues, healing, and gifts of the Spirit] church, in Canada, is around 145 people. Obviously, the average Pentecostal church attendees seem to be over twice as many as other denominations.

The Harvest

The scripture says, "But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were faint, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then said He to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. You pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest" (Matt.9:36-38).[see Lk.10:2]. Again, Jesus said, don't say, "There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? Behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (Jn.4:35).

If the need was great when Jesus walked the earth, with a hugely diminished population, compared to now; how much more is the harvest plenteous and ready to be harvested? The need is even greater and the urgency more eminent.

A Tale of Two Churches

There is one church where the leader has been there for approximately 35 years; he is a fairly dynamic preacher, but sadly, his congregation has ebbed and flowed from 40-60 people over that period of time.

There is another church, in that same community, where the leader has been there for half a dozen years; not a good speaker, let alone a good preacher. In fact, during his messages it is often difficult to follow and once complete, sometimes it is difficult to discern what the message was about, or what practical application it may have to an individual's life. However, the congregation has grown from over a 100 attendees, to over 200; to over 300; and is now pushing towards 400 persons in attendance.

Discovering the Difference

Jesus was facing the cross; extreme torture, humiliation, and death, and his disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest (Mk.9:33-36). Jesus said, "If any man desires to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mk.9:35). Again, Jesus said, "...whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant [(diakonos), 1249] and whoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be slave [(doulos), 1401] of all" (Mk.10:43-44). Jesus said, He didn't come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mk.10:45).

The Principle of Prosperity

In the business community, it is an established fact that those businesses that provide the greatest service to their community, also experience the greatest growth, expansion, development, and prosperity. This is the age-old principle that Jesus espoused, not in a negative fashion, but as a positive statement of fact. If you want a growing, prosperous business, provide the greatest amount of service in the product or commodity that you are supplying. If you want a growing, prosperous, successful church, serve your people and the community, and don't expect them to serve you.

Insanity

Einstein is credited with saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results". If your business isn't growing; change. If your church isn't growing; change.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours