'Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.' - Luke 12:6-7

'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.' - Matthew 10:29-31
 

In most Baptist churches of our day, there is much emphasis placed on trying to evangelize the multitudes. Much honor is bestowed upon the churches which have the greatest number of professions of faith and baptisms. Convention and Fellowship publications will often publicize prominently the names of the churches which lead in such additions. Consequently, there is great pressure placed upon the other churches in that Convention or Fellowship to overtake, or at least keep pace with the top producers.

The pastors of the fastest growing churches are much sought after to speak at other churches to motivate members and provide insight into how their results have been achieved. Often, these men are asked to give seminars and courses, which are booked to capacity, generally for a fee. Books are published which give step by step guidance on how to obtain the same results, and these carry a price tag as well.

While it is true that multitudes are made up of individuals, the sad truth is that the individual gets overlooked and lost in the crowd. It is hard to see the individual when looking at a photograph of a sporting event, or the sidewalks of a large city. It is equally hard to really come to know the individual in a mega-church environment.

It sounds noble to voice concerns over the world, or even our own community, and narrow minded and uncaring to seek out the one. The pastor and church which emphasize the one, are said to be 'unevangelistic.' Critics accuse them of wanting 'their four and no more,' or of having no concern for souls. With the peer pressure to conform to the aggressive soul winning tactics on one hand, and the accusations of being uncaring and unevangelistic on the other, few churches will be able to avoid conforming to the established practices of the day.

One might ask the question, "Should it not be the desire of all churches and their members to see individuals come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?" The answer is obviously, "Yes," and there must be a genuine concern in the area of evangelism. The problem lies in the fact that there is a subtle and often overlooked danger that such pressure can lead to practices that are not scriptural, or not ordered by the Spirit of God.

Even in instances where these practices lead to getting individuals into the church, they are often left behind in the push to get more in. Instead of spending time with them to help them mature, the emphasis is on the 'unchurched,' rather than the members already in the assembly.

If we look to the Scriptures, we find that God is interested in the world, to be sure, but His emphasis is on the individual. The verses quoted above show that God sees individuals, even when He looks at the world. Birds are insignificant in comparison to mankind, but Jesus said that not 'one' of them is forgotten by God, and God sees when 'one' of these dies. Jesus then tells the disciples that they are worth far more than the sparrows.

It is significant to note that the words Jesus spoke in Luke, were at a time 'when there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another..,' according to verse 1 of Chapter 12. Out of that great mass of people, Jesus was concerned about the individual!

In Acts 9:25-39, God sent Philip to a single individual many miles from where he had been preaching to multitudes. The Ethiopian eunuch was so important to God that He sent him a preacher just for him.

In John 4:3-26, Jesus went out His way to help a woman of Samaria find salvation. The wonder of this is the fact that the Jews would go out of their way to avoid going through Samaria. The woman even spoke of this in verse 9, '...the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.'

In Mark 5:1-17, and Luke 8:26-37, we find the account of Jesus going into the land of the Gadarenes to help one man possessed of devils. After casting out the demons, Jesus is forced to leave by the rest of the inhabitants.

Jesus even alienated the multitudes to find the individuals who really wanted Him and not just what He had to offer. In John 6:1-66, Jesus feeds the multitude, but then offends them with the truth that they really don't want His Person, they seek His provision of material things.

The Scriptures clearly teach that there is what is referred to as a 'remnant' that truly want God, and that 'many are called, but few [are] chosen.' The Bible also teaches that in the last days, there would be a 'falling away,' even though there would be multitudes in church. According to II Timothy 3:1-4:4, there would be a group who would be deceived and who would deceive others as well. These people would be 'ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth,' because of this deception. They would have 'a form of godliness,' but no power associated with it.

While it is true that this certainly applies to false doctrines and teachings, it also applies to the prevailing mind set with regards to evangelism in many circles today. Baptists of old never believed that vast numbers of people would be converted in the last days, but that fewer and fewer would seek God.

We would do well to remember that the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in Luke 15:7 were not implying that the ninety-nine were saved, but that they did not see themselves as sinners. He was referring to the Pharisees and scribes. The multitudes have never received repentance preaching, but there are some individuals who will. It is these 'ones' that God desires to lead to salvation and a relationship with Him.

Let us seek them out and help them on to Christ and salvation.

- JMGrapp Oldpaths Baptist