Jump Start # 1266

1 Timothy 4:6 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

In some applications size matters. When renting a hotel room, we like a large room. Size matters. When ordering a meal, we like plenty of food. Size matters. When trying on new clothes size matters. As much as we might try to squeeze into what we used to wear, if it’s not comfortable we won’t buy it. Size matters. When it comes to TV screens, size matters.

However, size isn’t everything, nor is size the only consideration in all applications. This is especially true when thinking about a congregation. When I travel, the most asked question is, “What is the size of the congregation back home?” How many people go there is what folks want to know. Why does size matter when it comes to a congregation? I think the American business model has affected our thinking. Growth is too often measured solely by numbers. A larger congregation is doing better than a smaller congregation, is how the thinking goes. A preacher is viewed as “moving up” as he leaves a small congregation for a large congregation. Filtering through this thinking may be one reason why every Sunday an attendance count is taken. We want to know how many are there. If the number isn’t right, the preacher will give a lesson about attendance. We need more people here. Then there is the counter thought that says if you are too big, you will get lost in the crowd and there is no way a congregation can be faithful to the Lord and be large. Somewhere between small and too large is the place where a church wants to be. No one really knows where that is, however.

It is interesting to me that the size of a congregation and the attendance count doesn’t really come up in the New Testament. I don’t see the early church being overly concerned about that. Preach, teach, convert is what they were doing. Of the seven churches named in Revelation, nothing is said about the size or their Sunday morning attendance count. There were other things much more important than that. Why is it that we put so much emphasis upon that? It’s rather similar to the way I play golf. It’s cold and winter here in Indiana. My clubs are in hibernation in the garage. I’ve been wanting to play golf but it will be months still before that happens. Often, I’ll go out an play a quick round of golf by myself. There are a couple of cow pasture golf courses that do not get much business near me. These are not fine courses. But it’s golf. When I play by myself, I don’t keep score. I know when I’m hitting well and I know when I should have stayed home. I don’t need a score card to tell me. This is how I look at church attendance. I know when the house is full. I know when it’s not.

More important than the size of the congregation is the spiritual strength and faith within that congregation. A better question to ask than, “How large is the church,” would be, “How strong is the church?” And this is where our verse today fits in so well.

Paul tells us three things:

First, the congregation needs to have things “pointed out” to them. In the context, Paul wanted Timothy to remind the brethren about an apostasy that many will get caught up in. It will lead to many falling away. It will be caused by brethren paying attention to false doctrines. They were to know these things. Timothy was to point these things out to them. Paul is looking at the spiritual health of the congregation.

Second, they were to be nourished upon the words of faith. Nourished. Nourishment. Food. I have a little granddaughter who is just starting to eat baby food. She is introduced to new foods. Her face says it all. Sometimes she doesn’t like some things. Other times, she can’t get enough. These foods are giving her the things she needs to grow and be strong. The words of faith, the Gospel, does the same thing. Spiritual strength comes from being fed the words of God. Spiritual strength. It is so important. This is how we resist Satan. This is how we stand up, stand up for Jesus. This is how we get our priorities in order. This is how we shed the light of Jesus Christ. Strong during the storms of life. Strong when things don’t go well. Strong when we get tired and want to quit. Strong, as in what Timothy was being told, to recognize what is helpful and what is poison to our souls. Spiritual strength will not tolerate false ideas and crooked words, and the spirit that wants to change God’s way. Nourishment is more than just one meal. It’s constantly being fed over a long period of time. The Bible, like life, often doesn’t seem as appealing as junk food. Junk food tastes good, looks good and is so easy to consume. A box of Twinkies, a few donuts, a can of Coke and we are full. But what are we full of? Junk. Sugar. Bad news for our bellies. You won’t find those things in your local gym. You won’t find that in the diet of Olympians. They know where strength and nourishment comes from. The same principle is true spiritually. Fruits and veggies are not as appealing as Twinkies, but they are better for us. They give us nourishment. The same is true spiritually when it comes to God’s word. Nourished upon the words of faith. This is how a congregation becomes strong. Teach that Bible. Over and over, teach and teach and teach. In time, this nourishment pays off. It builds faith. It gives confidence.

Thirdly, follow sound doctrine. Follow, means, know it, understand it, and obey it. Sound comes from a word that means healthy. Good doctrine. The first Christians continued on in the apostles doctrine. The word ‘doctrine’ is sour to some people. They don’t like doctrine. They like stories. They like fun. They like a  “lite Gospel.” This won’t develop strength. This won’t make a church strong. Follow sound doctrine. That doctrine needs to be taught. It needs to be in the spiritual DNA of the congregation. Doctrine is what defines what a group is all about. We must know where God stands. We must know what is right.

Three things. Point out. Nourished. Follow. This is God’s plan to make a strong church. The numbers will come if these are done and done right. If we chase after numbers, you can have a lot of people, but they will float about like little butterflies, believing anything and not standing for anything. Solid. Strong. Firm. Committed. Dedicated. Faithful. True. These are the things that God looks after. When folks are this way, attendance will not be an issue.

Maybe for too long we’ve looked at the wrong thing and emphasized the wrong thing. Maybe it’s time we started pointing out, nourishing and following what is really important. Can you imagine a church that didn’t count the attendance? It’s like playing golf without keeping the score. The game is actually enjoyed better that way!

Roger