Numbers q Numbers do not Determine what is

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right

Exodus 23: 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. . .

Matthew 7: 13 -14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval

Genesis 6: 5 -8 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. . . But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Daniel 3: 7. . . all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Vs 16 -18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king. . . we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. . . our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success

2 Kings 6: 15 -17. . . when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success q Should we be concerned about numbers at all? • No, if we mistakenly think this is our #1 goal

John 6: 60 -68 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? . . . From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 5: 1 -6 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. . . deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaveneth the whole lump?

Galatians 1: 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success q Should we be concerned about numbers at all? • No, if we mistakenly think this is our #1 goal • Yes, if they indicate our failure or neglect

James 2: 2 -4 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

1 Corinthians 8: 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success q Should we be concerned about numbers at all? • No, if we mistakenly think this is our #1 goal • Yes, if they indicate our failure or neglect q Where should our emphasis be? • Faithfully do our best

Phil 1: 27 - NASV. . . conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success q Should we be concerned about numbers at all? • No, if we mistakenly think this is our #1 goal • Yes, if they indicate our failure or neglect q Where should our emphasis be? • Faithfully do our best • Leave the rest to God

1 Corinthians 3: 6 -7 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Numbers q Numbers do not: • Determine what is right • Indicate God’s approval • Ensure success q Should we be concerned about numbers at all? • No, if we mistakenly think this is our #1 goal • Yes, if they indicate our failure or neglect q Where should our emphasis be? • Faithfully do our best • Leave the rest to God