HAVE YOU GOT THE GOODS?
(... or Four Kinds of People in he Church)
(A Biblical Perspective by Al Thomas)

A lion met a tiger as they drank by the pool, said the tiger to the lion,
“Why are you roaring like a fool?”
“That, not foolish” said the lion with a twinkle in his eyes,
“I’m the king of the jungle because I advertise.”
A rabbit heard them talking and ran home like a steak. He thought he’d try the lion’s plan but his roar was just a squeak.
A fox came to investigate and had a luncheon in the woods. So when you advertise, my friends, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE GOODS.

In Acts chapter 8, verses 8 - 20 we find the story of one Simon the sorcerer. Phillip had come down from Jerusalem preaching the Gospel with signs and wonders following (see vs. 5-7). Simon, also believed but apparently it didn’t completely take because (after Peter & John had showed up) he saw people being filled with the Holy Spirit and was so impressed he offered those Apostles money for the power to be able to do this (vs. 19). Now, here is what I want you to see: This man, Simon, having previously practiced sorcery (vs. 9), fooling the people with his deeds of darkness, was the ideal candidate to know the difference between the real stuff and the phony. What power really changed people and what simply fooled them. He knew (having previously been a professional dealer in darkness) what the real goods were. He had now come into contact with real power and was so enamored by it that he wanted to buy it. Of course he was severely rebuked and urged to repent (vs. 22). Here’s the point we want to get at: Simon recognized the real thing. Can you? Can you so discern the people in your circle of influence that you can minister to them effectively? Do you have the goods?

Here are four kinds of people in the church. Can you effectively minister to each one of them? Read Mark 2:1-12

THE HUNGRY Mark 12: 1-2 “...many were gathered together, so much so there was no room to receive them..” Hungry people everywhere. Jesus said “Blessed are those who hunger & thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). Are you hungry? Or are you satisfied where you are with God? Do you want more? This kind of person is never satisfied. No, they aren’t unhappy or discontented, they just want more of the Father. They refuse to get to a certain level and get comfortable. They refuse to be average. They keep their feet on the ground but their heart keeps soaring for more of Him. David said “One thing have I desired, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…” (Ps. 27). Paul said “One thing I do…” (Phil. 3:13-14). Moody said “Give me a man who says, ‘This one thing I do,’ and not ‘These fifty things I dabble in.’ “ Is this you? Are you a hungry person?

THE HINDERER Mark 2:6-8 “..There were certain of the scribes reasoning in their hearts…”

There are many ways we can be a hinderer. When we carnally reason in our heart it is usually revealed in how we speak with our mouth. Proverbs 26:20 says, “ Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth”. All of us occasionally need to bridle or hush our tongue (James 1:26). Henry Beecher said “He who loves flowers will find flowers; and he who loves weeds will find weeds.” Did you ever notice that nothing stops a conversation quicker than the arrival of the person you happen to be talking about? The secret of a gracious tongue is not self-control but Christ-control. The One whose words were described as gracious (Luke 4:22) also said, “… That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37). Is this you? Are you a hinderer?

THE HELPLESS Mark 2: 3 “…and they came unto Him bringing one sick of the palsy…”

You’ve seen them in the church…helpless people. I’m not just talking physically. I mean emotionally also. They are high maintenance, low impact people. Sometimes we wonder if they will ever come around and begin to grow. Be careful here. Never give up on people. Remember before you came to Christ? Remember not responding to His love at first? Resisting His touch? Aren’t you glad God never gave up on you? What troubles some people is that they are in a hurry, but God isn’t. What’s worse is that we want other people to hurry & grow up (or get well) etc. but we don’t put the same standards on ourselves. Be patient with the helpless. (We are all helpless in one way or the other, didn’t you know?) Jude 22 says, ‘And of some have compassion, making a difference...’ Is this you? Are you helpless?

THE HELPER Mark 12:3-5 “ They came unto him…they uncovered the roof where he was…they had broken it up…” The word ‘they’ is mentioned 6 times in these 3 verses. The ‘they’ are those four helpers who brought the ‘helpless’ one to Jesus. Notice it says in verse 5, “When Jesus saw their faith…he said to the sick of the palsy, Son thy sins be forgiven thee.” Those four were responsible for that fellow’s healing! Are you involved in the body of Christ? As we grow spiritually our capacity for caring for one another should be on the increase (1 John 3:16)…if it isn’t we are not growing. Martin Vanbee said, “The best place to find a good helping hand is at the end of your arm.” Are you doing something for someone? Is the love of Christ being practically applied? Is this you? Are you a helper?

Which of the above are you? And do you have the goods to help each one? We, the church, are different from the world. As the world sees the church in action: HUNGRY people wanting more of God. HINDERING people being corrected and lovingly taught the value and power of their words. HELPLESS people being ministered to by being brought to Jesus for healing. HELPERS abounding with compassion and energy to minister to any and all in need. When this happens then the world will say (in verse 12): “This is amazing, let’s praise God because, We have never seen anything like this!”

THE WORLD IS WAITING TO SEE IF THE CHURCH HAS THE GOODS…