Whenever I am preparing to start
preaching through a book, after my usual study and break down of the book, I
listen to sermons on the entire book. This helps me to be ministered to through
the book, but it also helps me glean some insights from other preachers who have
gone before me. Last year I preached through the book of Nehemiah and listened
to Alistair Begg’s series on the book. In one of the sermons he surmises that
there are always five kinds of people wherever God’s work is being done. It was
true in Nehemiah’s day; it is true in our day as well.
The relaxers
The first group he calls the
relaxers. These are the people who have been around for a while and have become
comfortable with the status quo. They are convinced that they have arrived
because of what they did eons ago. This group is quick to tell you of their
escapades in the past and their contributions then. By and large the relaxers
have entered into semi-retirement. They do nothing; they are not burdened about
anything, and they do not serve anywhere. They have boarded the bus; they sit
in the back and watch as the driver takes them places, while occasionally
commenting on his competence to drive.
The investigators
The investigators are a curios
but cautious bunch. They wonder what is going on; they are not sold; even
though they are part, they really do not belong and do not participate in the
life of the church. But for some reason, they want to be in the know. So, they inquire
and question and wonder what’s going on and why it is going on that way.
The agitators
This group is never content with
what is going on, and they are a hard group to please. They will disagree,
complain and even mock whatever is happening. In the worst scenarios this group
soon becomes the opposition and will often become activists who incite others.
This critical group can take energy from you and leave you deflated if you do
not face them with a God dependent attitude.
The expectant
They are eager, zealous and
diligent. They have a heart of service and are ever expectant and excited at
what the Lord is doing in, through and among them. They are asking what is
coming and what can be done next and how they can get involved. They find joy
in spending and being spent. They also look for progress and growth and invariably
get frustrated with the lack of it.
The organizers
They thrive on structure and
order. They want to organize things and sort out things. Procedure and policy
are their middle names! They are often frustrated with disorganization and want
everything clearly laid out and thought through.
Alistair Begg charges that a
biblical leader who is doing God’s work, God’s way, will stir the relaxers,
answer the investigators, focus the agitators, guide the expectant and
structure the organizers. As long as we have breath and there is still work to
be done, we should never be content, and we should always strive to do more for
the Lord.
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