Strength in Numbers…
Jesus spoke practical words when he taught everyone. His words were principled and systematic. He spoke simply so that the benefits of his teaching would make perfect sense and help his followers make their best decisions.
On one occasion, Jesus said, 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. Luke 14:31-32
There were no kings in his audience that day and probably no one who was an advisor for a king, but the practical wisdom was perfectly clear to the common people. There is strength in numbers.
On another occasion, he spoke about the difficulties of just living that would be in front of his followers as they moved forward in their lives. He didn’t specifically call out a covid Pandemic, or disintegrating family structures or racial tensions. He didn’t spell out high gas or food prices or a general loneliness that would be the malaise of a culture that had lived too long a time in ‘zoom meetings’ wearing masks. But he said with practical wisdom and understanding, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus practical words didn’t just stand alone but they blended with each other. His teachings were complimentary and wholistic. He kept in mind the biggest picture and urged his followers to grow up and benefit by doing what he said. In these two simple thoughts, he gave first a warning that ‘trouble is coming,’ but don’t fear I have a plan that includes my presence, you will find ‘there is strength in numbers.’
Jesus clarified this important truth when he said, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-21
Jesus’ simple plan was that his followers learn from his words, that as the trouble comes, they will do all better when they do life together. Because he, Jesus, will be with them.
This important lesson is for all of us who are at White Oak Christian Church. The last two years have been full of trouble. No one has had the privilege or opportunity to avoid it. Trouble has struck us all. As we finished the spring season and we are now experiencing the summer, there seems to be a spirit of rest and renewal that is all around us.
We know this brief respite will pick up as we move into the fall season. More trouble will come. But we can obey Jesus' plan and band together with one another with Jesus himself joining in our group. WOCC has an organized way to group together. It is for everyone. Life Groups meet together regularly, usually in someone’s home. They pray for each other, study Bible lessons, and help each other through the troubles of life.
The organizing happens this summer so that the groups can begin to function as the fall begins. With the growth we are experiencing on both campuses, we anticipate that we will need a number of new Life Groups to begin this fall. We want everyone to have a place to experience life together. That means we need many new leaders and group hosts.
Mark your calendars, you are invited to ‘Investigate Life Group leadership’ on August 10th at Ross or August 16th at Colerain. August will be perfect time to declare your agreement with Jesus and say, there is “strength in numbers.” You can say, “I have had enough of this trying to do everything alone. I am ready to be in a small group with others and let Jesus walk with us - together!”
Kent Odor
Adult Dischipleship Pastor
White Oak Christian Church