Someone Else (8 of 9)
Series: Jesus Is Lord
Jeff Strite
Colossians 4:7-18
OPEN: A church once put this on the back page of their bulletin -
CHURCH MOURNS DEATH OF PROMINENT MEMBER
The church was saddened this past week to learn of the death of one of its most prominent members, ''Someone Else.''
''Someone's'' passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. ''Else'' has been with us for so many years. ''Someone'' did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list. Let ''someone else'' do it.
It was common knowledge that ''Someone Else'' was among the most generous givers in the church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that ''Someone Else'' would make up the difference. ''Someone Else'' was a wonderful person - sometimes appearing to be superhuman, but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone expected too much of ''Someone Else.''
Now ''Someone Else'' is gone. We wonder what we are going to do. ''Someone Else'' left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to do the things ''Someone Else'' did?
APPLY: I've been told that in the typical church, 90% of work is done by 10% of the people
ILLUS: I was talking once with a preacher who explained his frustration in not being able to get much of anyone to help out in the nursery. The congregation was made up principally of retired individuals and when asked to help they would complain ''I've done my share of work in this congregation. Get someone else to do it!''
There are many reasons why people don't help in church (here are just a few I could think of)
- Sometimes its because they feel they have done enough for the church in the past and now it's their turn to just sit in their pews
- Sometimes, because the preacher doesn't want the help. He enjoys doing ministry so much he doesn't want to share it.
- And then, sometime ...
Series: Jesus Is Lord
Jeff Strite
Colossians 4:7-18
OPEN: A church once put this on the back page of their bulletin -
CHURCH MOURNS DEATH OF PROMINENT MEMBER
The church was saddened this past week to learn of the death of one of its most prominent members, ''Someone Else.''
''Someone's'' passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. ''Else'' has been with us for so many years. ''Someone'' did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list. Let ''someone else'' do it.
It was common knowledge that ''Someone Else'' was among the most generous givers in the church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that ''Someone Else'' would make up the difference. ''Someone Else'' was a wonderful person - sometimes appearing to be superhuman, but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone expected too much of ''Someone Else.''
Now ''Someone Else'' is gone. We wonder what we are going to do. ''Someone Else'' left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to do the things ''Someone Else'' did?
APPLY: I've been told that in the typical church, 90% of work is done by 10% of the people
ILLUS: I was talking once with a preacher who explained his frustration in not being able to get much of anyone to help out in the nursery. The congregation was made up principally of retired individuals and when asked to help they would complain ''I've done my share of work in this congregation. Get someone else to do it!''
There are many reasons why people don't help in church (here are just a few I could think of)
- Sometimes its because they feel they have done enough for the church in the past and now it's their turn to just sit in their pews
- Sometimes, because the preacher doesn't want the help. He enjoys doing ministry so much he doesn't want to share it.
- And then, sometime ...
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