Well-Intentioned Dragons Series

“Well, what about the third hut?”

“Oh, there was a church split.”

Our churches are falling apart because of… people

As long as there are people - there will be problems. People are not spiritual enough - or they are too spiritual… Overbearing, or lazy. They are legalistic… or they are too liberal… too structured… too disorganized

They don’t meet up to our standards - so we take it upon ourselves to speak up… to help out… to help them become what God wants them to be… It’s our duty… our responsibility.

But we come across like a dragon… and we leave people devastated

DRAGON SPECIES (From Marshall Shelly, Well-Intentioned Dragons pg. 37)

1. THE BIRD DOG - They point at problems all the time

(Luke 17:3) watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. (YOU REBUKE HIM - don‘t send the preacher after him)

We need less pointers and more shooters (???)

2. THE WET BLANKET - (Romans 12:11) “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord“

Some people have no zeal at all, and the problem is it’s contagious…

Doom and gloom, and negativity

I saw an advertisement in the paper yesterday, criticizing Billy Graham’s crusade on several issues. I would tell you that I’m not in 100% agreement with Billy Graham. But I would also tell you that he has done more for the Lord then I believe I will ever be able to do. But the last part of the ad says, “The carnival atmosphere cheapens and corrupts the gospel. The original gospel message was preached on the merits of its claims to truth without entertainment, applause, selling novelties, asking hearers for donations, special effects, emotional testimonies, and celebrity appearances.”

Excuse me! But How many people have you brought to the Lord - You dragons!!!

3. THE ENTREPENEUR -

The person that uses the church to make a living. Me & Steph became members of a church. And within days we received a letter from a man welcoming us to the church. “By the way,“ he writes, “I sell insurance.“ And he had an application enclosed. We felt victimized!

4. THE STEAM ROLLER -

One man came to our church and told me that if he ever had a problem with anything I said from the pulpit - don’t be surprised if he stands up in the middle of my sermon and disagrees. I lived in terror until that man left

5. THE FICKLE FINANCIER -

The one who uses the offering to control the church. The guy who gives the most - and says he won’t give if he doesn’t get his way.

6. THE BUSY BODY -

1 Timothy 5:13 talks about people who... get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. (phone to phone) And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. (Things that are not wholesome)

7. THE SNIPER -

Makes accusations but avoids confrontation. Doesn’t give anyone a chance to respond… to defend themselves

8. THE BOOK KEEPER - (1Corinthians 13:5) Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.

1 Tim 5:24 The sins of some men are obvious, (Alcohol… drugs… sexual immorality) reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them