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BIG BIBLE, SMALL CHURCH A few times I have posted the statement, THE BIGGER THE BIBLE THE SMALLER THE CHURCH. While most seem to understand the adage, some apparently think that I am engaging in defeatism and possibly discouraging brethren from zealous Christian service. To the contrary, I am trying to encourage the brethren by sounding a wake-up call that encourages them to face reality instead of chasing a dream that will probably never come true. Good preachers are quitting the ministry in droves, and their members are either flocking to the big "exciting" churches or leaving church worship altogether. Much of this is happening because of unrealistic expectations that they embraced along the way. They saw the mega churches on TV, they drove past the big denominational churches on a daily basis, and they attended numerous religious pep rallies where they were told that "God hasn't changed, so get out there and beat those highways and hedges and win those souls for Jesus!" They tried, and they tried really hard, but they never saw the results that they were told to expect. So, they grew discouraged and quit. It can happen to you, and it can happen to me, and one of the chief reasons is UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. In essence, an unrealistic expectation is a lie. It's a matter of overlooking certain elements of truth in order to feel better about and expect more from a person, place or thing. The problem is that the truth always surfaces at some point and you have to face it. That's when your mega church splinters into four or five directions, your mountain-top camp meeting euphoria can't be duplicated back home, your gung-ho Bible institute shrinks from fifty students to fifteen, the bus ministry shrinks from four busses to one, and eventually the pastor has to take a job on the side to help feed his family, if he doesn't quit altogether. What happened? Somebody just didn't believe the Book:"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Tim. 4:3-4)"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Tim. 3:1-5)"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:17)Now, THAT'S what we're up against. THAT'S reality. God might not have changed, but people sure have, and that's why it's correct and realistic to say, "THE BIGGER THE BIBLE, THE SMALLER THE CHURCH." It is often said that we are the Philadelphia remnant in the Laodicean age. That's true, and a remnant, by definition, is small. The Bible is TRUTH, and you are told that people in the last days will TURN AWAY from it. That's why you don't know of any Bible-believing, KJV, mega churches. That's why missionaries will tell you that most of their support comes from smaller churches. It's not defeatism; it's a matter of facing reality so that you WON'T get defeated. "THE BIGGER THE BIBLE, THE SMALLER THE CHURCH." A Christian who understands that will count it the highest honor to be a part of a good church, no matter how small. He views looking for something bigger and more social as an unscriptural compromise, and he understands that preaching and teaching God's word faithfully will scatter people quicker than the tower of Babel judgment. But he will endure instead of quitting, because he knew all along, "THE BIGGER THE BIBLE, THE SMALLER THE CHURCH." That's reality, and that's what we need more than empty fantasies that usually yield only discouragement and defeat. If you have an exception, great, but any exceptions only prove the rule. Respect the rule, and you might survive to finish your course with honor. Ignore the rule, and you'll probably end up a compromiser or a quitter.