THE TATOR FAMILY

 Introduction:

a.  We have, in the church today, many different types of people. Single, married, rich, poor, teachers, farmers, etc.

b.  Therefore, the families in the church vary in size, occupation, and education.

c.  “It takes all kinds of people to make a world.”

d.  There is a certain family who thinks they are in the church — we pray you are not a member of this family known as “The Tator Family”.

e.  The first member is well known to all — we call him:

1.  ‘‘Spec——tator”

a.  One who looks on, he can’t do anything, can’t sing, pray, teach, etc.

b. We must work. (1 Cor. 15:58) Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 (Isa. 6:8)  8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

2.  “Agi---tator”

a.  Some thrive on contention, not satisfied with peace.

b. Consider Elymas in (Acts 13:8-11). 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."

3.  “Devas---tator”

a.  Always tearing down, never trying to build.

b. Leads people away with high sounding words. (2 Pet. 2:18-19)  18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity-for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

c.  We need to look to Christ, not men. (Heb. 11:1-2)

4.  “Lamen---tator”

a.  Church has its share of hypochondriacs — always mourning and depressed.

b. Peter wrote — (1 Peter 4:16)  16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

6.  “Commen---tator”

a.  Full of advice and comments.9

b. Always criticizing aloud, making shame of another. (Prov. 25:9)

c.  Our “all” sound brethren. (Matt. 23:3) So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

7.  ‘‘Imi———tator’’

a.  Copies after others, goes with the crowd.

b. Paul exhorted. (Eph. 4:14) 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

8.  “Medi———tator”

a.  Thinking, studying, but never doing anything.

b. It is best to first count the cost(Lk. 14:28), 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?

but we must remember—”Meditation precedes, and works follow”

9.  ‘‘Hesi———tator’’

a.  Never chooses, can’t decide.

b. Agrippa is a good example. (Acts 26:24-30)

CONCLUSION:

a.  The father of this family is “Satan”. (Jno. 8:44) 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.

b. Every member of this family hinders the growth of the church.

c.  We must be adopted into the family of God. (Jno. 3:3-5) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.