THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
A brand new pastor came out to his first church. As usually seems to be the case, several of the Great Old Saints had been hanging on for their new pastor, but then they began to die. Consequently in four weeks he did eight funerals.
He did not have time to write his regular Sunday Sermons. So he used the sermon from the Sunady before - 3 more times. The Council went to the Bishop complaining that this new pastor had used the same sermon 4 times in a row. The Bishop asked what the sermon was about. The Council couldn't remember, they scratched their heads and hemmed and hawed - but they really couldn't remember. The Bishop said, "Let him use it one more time."
*********************************************************************************************
Gen 29:1-9
1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
KJV
*********************************************************************************************
Rebekah had told Jacob to find her brother Laban. Jacob had diligently followed the instructions, and had been blessed to reach this community gathering place.
When he finally got to the city, he went to the well. The well of a city was like the local store of a small community. You could get a cold drink, hear a weather forecast, catch up on local gossip, find something to eat, find a place to sleep - or find someone you were looking for.
Notice that Jacob addressed them as "My brethren." He treated them with respect, and they showed him respect. As Jacob inquired about Laban, the local man pointed out Laban's daughter Rachel.
Jacob's statement about uncovering the well is more of an inquiry: "Why don't you go ahead and water your sheep?" But they told him they must wait until all were gathered together.
Wouldn't it be interesting for a local church to have the same philosophy? Why don't we go get ALL the members who can possibly attend and then get fed by the Word?
Too often, people gather at the church to hear a weather forecast, catch up on local gossip, and just "meet to meet." Most churches will find that their greatest evangelistic effort would be among MEMBERS ON THE ROLL!!
Let us gather at the well to encourage one another, welcome strangers and be fed by the "Living Waters."
Love ya,
Bruce