THE MAJORITY

Introduction:
   1. Luke 13:22-30.
   2. Matt. 7:13-14; 21-23.
   3. In these passages we see a reference to "few," and to "many."
   4. How many is "few," and how many are "many"?
   5. When we look at the history of mankind, the numbers are
      frightening.
   6. We have studied about the "faithful few." In this study, I wish
      to notice the majority, the "many."

I. EXAMPLES FROM GOD'S WORD CONCERNING THE MANY:
   A. THE FLOOD
       1. Gen 6:3, 5-8 -- The wickedness of man upon the earth.
       2. 1 Peter 3:20 -- Only eight people saved from the flood.
       3. 2 Peter 2:5  -- Noah, a preacher of righteousness, but the
          majority would not listen.
       4. Matt. 24:37-39 -- eating, drinking, being merry. Reminds us
          of the world in which we live today.

   B. SODOM AND GOMORRAH:
       1. Gen. 18:22-- Abraham interceded for Sodom -- 50, 45, 40, 30,
          20, 10. Ten people in the city???
       2. What were the majority doing?  Sodomites describes their
          activities. Wicked.
       3. Jehovah thus destroyed these wicked cities.

   C. FROM THE EXODUS:
       1. When Israel left Egypt, 600,000 men over 21 years of age.
       2. How many entered Canaan? Only 2.
       3. What were the majority doing? Complaining, murmuring,
          committing fornication, etc. 23,000 fell in one day.

   D. TWELVE SPIES:
       1. Twelve spies sent into the land to spy it out.
       2. Two said, "Let's go."
       3. What were the majority doing? They were cringing, they were
          afraid, they were cowards.

   E. MOSES:
       1. Think of the times which Moses stood alone before God. Over
          and over he pleaded for the people.
       2. What were the majority doing? They were building a golden
          calf to worship; they were worshipping Baal, etc.
       3. Deut. 9:13-20 -- Moses intervenes for them.

   F. OUR LORD:
       1. John 1:11 -- The majority rejected Him while He was here.
       2. John 6:66 -- What were the majority doing? They were looking
          for the loafs and the fishes. They were looking for that
          which satisfied their physical needs.
       3. What is the majority looking for today. Many today are
          looking to religion to satisfy their physical needs, they
          expect the church to supply them with a good time, with a
          good meal, plenty of play and frolic. Thus, churches have
          complied with their wishes and we see more money spent on
          recreation, gymnasiums, kitchens, etc., than is spent on
          their teaching and worship.
       4. Again, we see the majority on the wrong side.

   G. DURING NEW TESTAMENT TIMES:
       1. Luke 17:11-19. Where were the nine? Did they not receive the
          same cleansing as the one? No gratitude, no appreciation; no
          thanks. Purely selfish.

       2. His own disciples:  Where were they when it came to standing
          for the Lord? Peter denied, Thomas doubted, Two were
          returning home (Lk. 24:13ff), we gave up.

       3. At the grave. Mark 16:1. Three women. Where the majority,
          the others?

       4. Acts 2:41. 3000 responded. Sounds like a lot. But when
          compared to the many who were gathered there, but a few.
          What were the majority doing?  They refused, rejected,
          denied.

       5. Revelation: Of the seven churches, only two were without
          rebuke, Smyrna, Philippi.  What about the majority, the
          other five?  They had major problems. And Christ severely
          rebuked them for their shortcomings.

II. WHAT ABOUT TODAY?

   1. When church censuses are taken, the church of Christ is way down
      toward the bottom when compared to other groups.
   2. But, remember, the majority have never been with God.
   3. This does not mean that it is wrong to have large numbers, it
      simply emphasizes that the majority has always been on the wrong
      side.
   4. Sometimes the sentiment is expressed, "Look how large their
      number is, how can they possibly be wrong?" In view of our study
      tonight, it behooves us to be sure that we do not allow numbers
      to sway us into a false security.

III. ONLY A FEW SHALL BE SAVED:
   1. Jesus made it very clear, only a few shall be saved. Mt 7:13,14.
   2. The majority shall be lost.
   3. What is the distinction between the few and the many?
   4. Being in the strait and narrow way or being in the broad and
      wide way.
   5. It is my decision as to which way I wish to be in. I can choose
      to enter the narrow way, or I can choose to remain in the broad
      way. The Lord gave me the privilege of choosing.

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