The New, the Pew, and the Few
"My very first job in the church was driving the church's VW bus on Sunday mornings and evenings to pick up a wheelchair bound widow. That doesn't sound like exciting work, but that lady had a profound influence on my life."
Introduction
Sometimes when people contemplate the New Year, perhaps remembering some of the events of the past year, their attitude is about like that of one of the characters in the comic strip, Frank and Earnest. He rips a page off the calendar for a brand new year and is greeted with the words; "Here we go again!"
I hope you're a bit more optimistic about the coming New Year. I hope you're not like Garfield in the comic strip that bears his name. In the first several frames he says, "This year I resolve to sleep no more than eight hours a day. So, let's see. . . eight hours a day times 365, divided by 24. . . is. . . 121 and 2/3 days. " In the next frame, Jon asks, "Going to bed?" Garfield replies, "Wake me up on May third!"
Of course, we are free to accept either philosophy. We can dread it or sleep through it. Or we can make this year a vital year in our personal growth as Christians. We can determine to do some things we haven't done yet.
I want your to consider three groups of people who make up the church and give you some ideas that you can use to make a difference in your life in the New Year. I want to address the New, the Pew, and the Few. I'll explain each one of these as I go. First let me speak to:
1. You Who Are New.
Some of you among us are a bit like the newly trained group of paratroops recruits who were about to take their first jump out of an airplane. The Sergeant was showing them how to use their parachutes. First, he showed them the cord to pull for the main chute. Then he showed them how to use the emergency reserve parachute, just in case the first one didn't open. At the close of the lecture, a trembling private piped up, "Sir, if the main parachute doesn't open, how much time will we have for opening the reserve?" Grimly, the Sergeant replied, "The rest of your life, kid, the rest of your life."
Those of you who made your peace with God in 2001 are the ones I refer to as the New. You have a whole adventure ahead of you! Nearly everything that happens to you from now on will be a new, first time thing. That being the case, as you might guess, I could say just about anything in speaking of things you haven't done in Christ yet. I'll limit myself to three very important ones.
Let me strongly encourage those of you who are new to:
A. Read the Bible from cover to cover in 2002.
I can't think of a more important thing that you might do to increase your faith and understanding of God than this.
Yes, if you continue in regular church attendance you will learn a lot about the Bible. A lot of teaching about Christ goes out from this church. You'll learn much about the Bible just by being here at each service. But there is simply no substitute for you putting your own eyes on the pages of the Bible.
Back when I was new, the year was 1973, one of the elders of the church bought me a copy of Haley's Bible Handbook. In the back of the book he had a chapter marked with the words, "Read this first." I did. In fact, I've read it a number of times since. Though it is too long for me to read to you in its entirety here, let me read a couple of paragraphs.
"Everybody ought to love the Bible. Everybody ought to Read the Bible. Everybody. It is God's Word. It holds the Solution of Life. It tells about the Best Friend mankind ever had, the Noblest, Kindest, Truest Man that ever trod this earth.
"It is the Most Beautiful Story ever told. It is the Best Guide to human conduct ever known. It gives a Meaning, and a Glow, and a Joy, and a Victory, and a Destiny, and a Glory, to Life elsewhere unknown. . .
" . . .How can any thoughtful person keep his heart from warming up to Christ, and to the Book that tells about Him? Everybody ought to love the Bible. Everybody. EVERYBODY."
The only thing that has changed in the meaning of those words given to me 28 years ago is that I understand their truth even more now than I did back then.
Set yourself up a plan to read the Bible. You can plan it yourself or get one of the many one-year reading plans. You can even get an edition of the Bible with the dates already in its pages. If you start on Tuesday of this week, you'll be right on time.
Another thing I urge those who are New to do is this:
B. Don't miss one communion service in 2002.
Jesus left the Lord's Supper as a memorial for us. He commanded his followers to partake. In John 6:53, which seems to pre-figure communion, He indicated that those who do not eat His flesh and drink His blood have no spiritual life in them. These are a couple of reasons why the early church "continued steadfastly in… the breaking of bread.." They did it every week, as church history verifies.
Meeting at the Lord's table each week with other Christians and partaking in a proper manner will keep you faithful to Christ. You might think that statement is too bold, but I don't think so. Note that I said, "partake in a proper manner." This includes a sober reflection on the death of Christ for you and an honest self-evaluation. If you haven't already started to make it a habit, decide to do it now.
Thirdly, I say to you who are the New, that you should:
C. Consider your talents and how you might use them for the Kingdom.
God didn't save us out of the world merely for our own benefit (though there is great benefit in being Christians.) We were saved to serve. Before you were born, God determined the talents that you would have with the intention of your using them in His service. Not one of us is talent-less. Sadly, far too many are service-less.
There are several lists of gifts or talents in the Bible to help you start finding which ones God has given you. Though not comprehensive, one such list (and a good place to start) is Romans 12:3-8. Due to our time limits, I'll leave you to consider that passage on your own for now. But write it down and check it out.
As you consider the talents you have to use for God, you might also begin considering such questions as:
What are my interests? What kind of work do I already do? What looks like it needs to be done? If you can't find something specific, start with something general. Jesus promised that if we would start being faithful with little things, He would move us on into bigger things.
My very first job in the church was driving the church's VW bus on Sunday mornings and evenings to pick up a wheelchair bound widow. That doesn't sound like exciting work, but that lady had a profound influence on my life.
If you're new, I encourage you to begin to do what you haven't done yet.
Next, I want to address:
2. You Who are In the Pew.
Calvin of CALVIN AND HOBBES fame is discussing the New Year with Hobbes. Hobbes asks, "Are you making any resolutions for the New Year?"
Calvin: "Nope. I want everything to stay the same as it was last year.
Hobbes: "Everything?"
Calvin: "Right. This year was lousy, but at least it was familiar. I hate change. It's too disruptive! When things are different, you have to think about change and deal with it. I like things to stay the same so I can take everything for granted. Besides, things keep changing for the worse. The longer I live, the more complicated everything gets. I say let's stop here before life gets any harder. From now on, no more changes." (1)
When I say "those in the Pew," I'm referring to those of us who have been here for awhile. We're not new, but we don't yet qualify for a senior discount. We're generally between the ages of 20 and 55, though there are notable exceptions to that. Our age category makes up the single largest group in the church. We've been here long enough to know our pew. Our greatest danger perhaps is that pews are usually the most comfortable places in the life of the church. The danger lies in the fact that if we get to comfortable, we become inert. We don't move.
If you're a part of the pew gang, let me share a few thoughts with you.
I urge you first to:
A. Reevaluate your personal devotional life as we enter the New Year.
You're in the busiest time of life, so this exhortation is especially important.
We become what we think about. The Bible says, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."
If we spend one day a week thinking about God and the other six thinking only about the world, what are be going to be like?
By devotional life, I mean taking some time each day to read Scripture, meditate on it, and pray. It need not take a long time, but it does need to be consistent. During this time sins are confessed and we renew our daily walk with God. Some of us might do well to join those who are New in reading the Bible through in 2002, even if we've read it before.
One of the sadder passages of the New Testament is 2 Timothy 4:10, where Paul reports to his friend, Timothy, about the fate of one of their companions. He wrote, "Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica . . ."
Here was a man who probably spent too much time thinking about the world and not enough thinking about God.
Take some time to reevaluate your devotional life, if you have one. If not, get started. Cut loose your past failures and get started right away.
Again, to those in the Pew, as you move into the new year:
B. Reevaluate your role in the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 was written to all of us. Remember what it says?
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'"
This is usually one of the areas where the "comfort zone" really takes its toll. If we're going to be pew potatoes, it will probably be in this area.
Yet, the work needs to be done. Those who are not reached will be lost for eternity in Hell. That is the true motivation for evangelism. Our primary aim isn't to pack pews so our building can be full. We want to save souls! Our friends, our relatives, our neighbors, and those in other lands are bound for a Christless hell if we don't tell them the good news of salvation in Jesus! That isn't a pretty thought, but it is the most common truth of the Bible. Is there someone you need to talk to about Jesus? Has God placed it on your heart to say something to them?
"Well, what should I say?" someone asks. I like what is said in the middle of the first chapter of John on this subject. After meeting Jesus, it tells us in verse 41 and 42, Andrew found his brother Simon, and said, "We have found the Messiah." Then it says, "he brought him to Jesus." Then in verse 45, Philip found Nathaniel and said, "We have found Him... come and see."
Probably the closest thing to that today would be inviting someone to come to church. It is a bit scary at first to speak up for Jesus, but it really isn't difficult.
I'm encouraging you in the Pew to do something you haven't yet done.
Finally, I want to address:
3. You Who Are Few.
You who are the Few are the seniors among us, saints who have been here a long time. Your hair has changed color, your steps are not as bouncy as they once were, but your heart is still on fire for God and His church! Your commitment and convictions are rock solid. You know it because they have withstood the wear of time. Nothing, not even aging, can diminish your love for Jesus!
You've seen a lot in your time. Many of your contemporaries who started with you are gone, either in the embrace of death or the tragedy of apostasy.
You are the former New.
You are the former ones in the Pew.
Now you're numbered among the Few.
"Been there, done that" could be your motto.
You were the wage earners who sacrificed to support the church. You were around when the ground was cleared and the nails were driven. It was your time and money that gave us many of the things we enjoy today. In many ways you set the tone of the congregation when you were younger.
You're so dear to all of us, how could I possibly have an exhortation for you? But I do. In fact, I have a couple.
In an episode of the comic strip NANCY, Nancy is sitting at a table writing: "9. Be nicer to people; 10. Eat only healthy food; 11. Share with friends." She was all the way down to number 28 which was, "Stop being so pushy." Sitting next to her is her friend Spike. Spike says, "New Year's resolutions?" Nancy replies, "It's that time of year again." Spike says, "I'm impressed. These are really good goals... but do you think you can keep all of them?" Nancy replies: "Why should I? These are for you." Then she hands the list to him!
Somehow, I just know that those of you who make up the Few aren't like Nancy. You don't expect everyone else to do it. You're still working on you. You don't arrive where you have come by shirking responsibility.
So what do I say to you? I say first:
A. Love the family of God with the love of a Senior.
Take the apostle John as your mentor. John was the last living Apostle, remember?
John saw a lot of change in his lifetime. He saw the church begin in Jerusalem. It was just Jews in those days. Before his death, he watched the church take in men and women of every color and nation and tongue. Gentiles - pagans - were coming to Jesus in droves! With them they brought their incredible differences, their habits to overcome. At times John must have felt like pulling his hair out! What's was happening to the church!
However, this old "Son of Thunder" - this once-young man who had wanted to call fire down from heaven to devour those critical of Jesus, now, in his later years, was known for his tender words, "My little children... love one another." Those words are five times repeated in First John and once duplicated in Second John.
To those who are the Few, I exhort you as a son would a father or a mother, be patient with the New and the ones in the Pew. Love them. Encourage them. Write them notes. Visit them. Pick up the phone and call them. Pray for them. Pray with them.
Remember, you are not of their generation. They don't talk or dress like you do. They're still forming their convictions. They're still struggling with habits you long ago either abandoned or grew out of.
Just like John the Apostle, let these be your "beloved children." Love the family of God with the love of a senior.
Secondly, I say to you:
B. Let us see your good example.
Show us how to remain faithful as we grow older. Show us how to serve when we're tired. Show us the importance of the assembly when we're tempted to be elsewhere. Show us how to smile when life is difficult. Show us how to prepare to meet Jesus.
Show us how to be peacemakers. Show us how to express concern without driving people away. Show us how to be hospitable. Show us how to be faithful to a spouse until death parts us. Tell us how to raise our children. Show us how to be gracious. Show us how to guard our tongues. Show us how to love the lost. Show us how to pray. Share with us what it is like to be closer to home.
Your example will speak far louder than words. But I think you already knew that.
I have a stereo in my truck that has quad sound. You turn it on and two speakers work. But there is this little button you push. When that happens the speakers under the seat kick in and you have surround sound! Your example is like surround sound compared to mine. I can only say certain things that you can tell about from experience. I believe God expects you to use that as an opportunity for him.
Above all, don't be like NANCY. Don't just dream up things for others to do. You're still in the game! Even if you can no longer run the bases, you can be our inspiration in the Hall of Fame!
Conclusion
I've been talking about doing what we haven't done yet. Have you seen some things you need to do? If you're already doing some of these things, I encourage you to excel still more.
And a final word to all of us...
To this congregation for 2002, I exhort you to:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Pray for your elders. Pray for the lost people around you. Be involved. Love your spouse. Love your kids. Love your family. Love the church. Maybe you can't do it all at once, but latch onto something and do it today for the sake of the Kingdom. Amen.
Footnotes: Use your back button to return to your place.
1. Dr. John Bardsley
Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.
Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.
All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.
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