"There's a story behind every number"

29 Feb 2008 05:36 pm

A few weeks ago, Dr. Troxel handed me a compilation of videos entitled "There's a story behind every number." I've just now had the chance to sit and watch it.

Occasionally, I'll see or hear the comment that we're too "focused" on numbers. While I understand the point, I think there's a bit of errancy involved in the reasoning. After all, our God is interested in numbers. Let me tell you what I mean; what these videos so vividly portrayed.

The videos point out that "We live in a world of numbers. Numbers tell us things about life. Numbers count our days. Numbers always tell us a story." In Acts 2:47, we see our Lord's concern with numbers; numbers of people that know Him. "And the Lord added to their NUMBER daily those who were being saved." Don't you think that He's counting? He's is interested in 100%. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:1-4) In Matthew 18:2, He is concerned with the number "1" when He said, "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?"

The video goes on. "Some numbers are good. Some numbers are terrifying...some break our hearts." Let's look at some numbers in our world from the videos.

~"In 1960, 75% of all Americans believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God AND went to church."
~"Since 1991, the number of adults who DO NOT attend church has (almost) doubled; rising from 39 million to 75 million - up 92%"
~In "2007, 75% of Americans believe there is a God. 40% believe in Jesus but say He is NOT the only way."

If you took "The Truth Project," you'll remember the Barna study that discoverd only 4% of Americans have a Christian worldview. Sadly, only 9% of Christians had a Christian worldview.

George Barna wrote the following. "Christianity is losing its grip on American culture. Christians are more attuned to matters of culture and entertainment that to matters of faith." You may remember when John Lennon, speaking about the Beatles, said "We're more popular than Jesus." I would say that there may be a number of entertainment vehicles that may make the same claim today. Christians need to note the words of CS Lewis when he wrote, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

We live in a world today that "the only absolute allowed is the absolute insistence that there is no absolute." (Francis Schaeffer) That is a scary thought for our nation because as believers we know that there is one absolute truth. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep forever."

As Christians, "we are ambassadors for Christ, as though He were making His appeal through us." (2 Cor. 5:20) Do we remember this? Do we act on it? Do we realize that time is short; that "2 people die every second" and most will not be going to heaven. Does it concern us? Do we look on the crowds and have compassion on them as Jesus did in Matthew 9? Or are we what is written in Revelation3:17; "You say, 'I'm rich, I have become wealthy and need nothing' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."

Here's another couple of numbers from the videos. There are "44000 Southern Baptist Churches and America is home to the 4th largest number of lost people on the planet."

Does that shock you? It shocked me. So what do we do?

WE GO! Luke 14:23 says, "...Go out...and compel them to come in." Matthew 28 says, "Go and make disciples..."

The video noted "They are not coming to us. We live in the mission field. We have to go to them."

Praise the Lord that we serve in a church that is going! That we have a pastor who goes! We go overseas! We go in our neighborhoods! Here's a number for you; we've had 31 salvations because of Jesus Christ going though our FAITH teams! That's 31 people going to heaven and not to hell. 31 people becoming disciples. 31 people to lead more people to saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ!

In a time when things can look so bad, praise His Holy Name that He is using us, this church, to impact His kingdom in such a mighty way! - KD

(If you have not been FAITH trained, please consider taking part as we go into summer visitation and prepare for a new semester in August!)

By : Kevin | Category: IMPACT - Evangelism/Apologetics/BFG's | Comments [2]