by Darnell Whitfield

John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This is an incredibly simple statement that has such great impact, God allowed His only Son to die for all of mankind. I am reminded of a scene from one of my favorite movies, “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” (1982,) where the character Spock, played by the late Leonard Nimoy, sacrifices himself to save his fellow crewmen on the starship Enterprise. Spock saves his fellow crewmen by entering a deadly area of the ship to contain a situation that would destroy the ship killing everyone on board. When Captain Kirk (William Shatner) goes to the area where his dear friend is dying from radiation poisoning he asked Spock why. Spock answered with this quip, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Hence, the title of today’s article, ‘The needs of the many.”

In February 2017, in my article titled, ‘Conform and transform, or what else?’ I expressed my disdain with what I was going through as pastor. I was constantly being attacked by persons not living according to the standards outlined in the word of God with no one standing up for me, and so I wanted to run. Yes, run! Many came to my aid; however, I went before my Father God and asked Him to lead me in the way that He wanted me to go. It was then that God began to speak to me through Ezekiel. Ezekiel wanted to die because the people of his time were evil and would not serve God properly.

I walked in Ezekiel’s sandals last year as reflected in my request to pray that God would place me where people want to do the things of God, and just like Brother Ezekiel God spoke to me about my wanting to run. I began to see that I had become the very people that I wanted to get away from. The liars, the cheats, the disobedient!

The word of the Lord came to me from 2 Timothy 3:1-9, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy: “1 There will be terrible times in the last days.” Then Paul outlines what Christians would become: “2 lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents (or leadership, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

Then Paul warns true Christians to have nothing to do with such people. “6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth.” 

It is clear to me that evil is always present, but my position in the body of Christ, and as pastor in particular, I must yield to my spiritual self rather than my natural self. As a man tired of trying to build and others wanting to tear down, I said enough is enough; however, my spiritual side via the Holy Spirit says, “There are some who want to grow and do the will of God!” I am but one, but there are others who want to build God’s kingdom, therefore I must attend to the needs of the many who are obedient to God.

Jesus gave His all for us all, and I must give my all for the cause of Christ that many will be saved. So many times I have said, “It’s not about me,” and it’s not. It’s all about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I know my calling: to guide those who are lost to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and to build up the spiritual person of men, women and children.

I know my resolve: to prove to the evil that God exists and he is a rewarded of those people that seek him and his ways.

I take this opportunity to ask God, my wife Angel, Diamond Grove Baptist Church, and my reading public to forgive me for my momentary lapse in faith, I promise you that I am going to work with the remnant that want to do God’s will.

I am with you and I will not give up! 

Like Peter who was walking on water by faith but allowed the storm to distract him, causing him to sink into despair, I allowed the storm to distract me. Just like Peter, I have my second wind and, prayerfully, like my Brother Peter, we will see God accomplish great things, works and miracles until my days will be no more!

I thank you all, for your prayers and support as I endeavor to unite God’s people for God’s purpose. My need supersedes the needs of the body of Christ.                                                                                                                           

I will miss my spiritual hero, Billy Graham (Nov. 7, 1918-Feb. 21, 2018, ) who has gone to be with the Lord at the age of 99. One of the great evangelist of our time. I will deeply miss his great wisdom and beautiful spirit.

DARNELL WHITFIELD is senior pastor of Diamond Grove Baptist Church in Franklin. Contact him at 742-1343 or revwhitfield@me.com.