There is a new “Hot Thing” in the church. It’s not really that new, but I see it intensifying. It’s similar to bell-bottoms. Someone thought it was a good idea, and everyone else followed. What is the new “thing”? The new thing is the interest in churches full of people. Publishers often make it a point to note that the author of the book you’ve just purchased, if he is a pastor, has a vast and growing church. Speakers, if they are pastors, are often introduced in light of the size of their congregations. My wife and I were recently at a conference, and one of the first things asked me by one of the church leaders was, “So, how big is your church?” I answered him because the fruit of the Spirit is “kindness”, however, I was tempted to sin and ask him something like; “How big is your appendix?” Such a question would have been covered in sarcasm, yet the point is worth considering in light of John 14:8-14.
One of Jesus’ members, Philip, is concerned with supernatural enormity and miraculous visions. He says, “Show us the Father, and it is enough.” The implication is, what Jesus has been doing is not enough…we need more, bigger, grander….stuff. Jesus seems to think that His presentation of the Father is more than sufficient, so He mercifully addresses the thoughts of one of His members. What a great Friend. How many did Jesus have? As far as numbers, He may have had a few dozen solid ones, but He is addressing the thoughts of Philip. In light of Jesus’ response, as I think on the one-hundred and thirty or so persons who visit our church on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, I cannot see them as a big group of people. To love them, I must see them as individuals. Moreover, as I get to know them, I sense their individual pain, feel their individual struggles, rebuke their individual rebellion, ask which Scripture they are currently memorizing, concern myself with what they are reading, pray for their kids, grieve because they cannot find a mate, lose sleep because of the sin in their lives and work hard to train disciple-makers to walk with, and inspire health in them.
Over and above the numbers, Jesus concerned Himself with the thoughts of one of His sheep. What a great Shepherd He is. May we appreciate the entire flock, thank God for big numbers, try to reach as many souls as possible, yet learn to concern ourselves with one at a time. A few years ago, a man told me that he could see me having a big church someday. That may be the case, but today I am so thankful that one man shared his mind with me. The last major point is that this is done in unity. What is your one thinking?