Six Kinds Of Men In Every Church 2 Of 2

• Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.

• I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

• I am to do all this and you expect me NOT TO PRAY IN CLASS ????"

The JUDGEMENTAL MAN expects a lot from others but very little from himself. He makes improper judgments. God’s Word says he is FOOLISH!

We have looked at THE JUDGMENTAL MAN.

But we need to also look at the -

V. THE SELFISH MAN

Look at verse 17, we read, “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just…”

There are a lot of things in life that can rob you of your joy, but nothing robs us of our joy like selfishness.

Illus: The selfish man operates on the toddler law, that is:

• If I like it, it's mine.

• If it's in my hand, it's mine.

• If I can take it from you, it's mine.

• If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

• If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

• If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

• If it looks just like mine, it's mine.

• If I think it's mine, it's mine.

• If it's yours and I steal it, it's mine.

The most miserable people on earth are those with the attitude of, “My way or the highway!”

Illus: A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake; I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” (Source unknown)

The selfish man is not someone the church needs.

We have looked at five different kinds of men that Proverbs 18 reveals we do not need in the church.

We have looked at MEN the church doesn’t need. Now let’s look at one kind of man that the church desperately needs.

VI. THE FRIENDLY MAN

This is the man every church needs. Look at verse 24, we read, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Friendship is a wonderful thing. In life:

• We have no choice about who will be our parents

• We have no choice about who will be our siblings

When it comes to friends we have a choice. That is what makes friendship so special.

Illus: H.K. Downie tells about a large newspaper that offered a substantial amount of cash for the best answer to the question, “What is the shortest way to London?” The entry that won the prize read: “The shortest way to London is good company!”

We all need good company in life; good friends as we walk along life’s highway. The thing that will make the trip better, more enjoyable, easier, and shorter is to have some good friends.

When a church full of God's people comes together, the friendship in a church can be overwhelming.