Week 2: Groupthink and the Mob of Mediocrity
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” —Matthew 7:13–14
With rare exception, the picture of majorities in the Bible is overwhelmingly bad
■ A MAJORITY of Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him or sell him into slavery and then lie to their father about it (Genesis 37:12-35)
■ A MAJORITY of Israelites preferred permanent slavery in Egypt rather than temporary inconveniences to gain the Promised Land (Exodus 16:3, 17:3)
■ A MAJORITY of reconnaissance spies doubted God’s ability to give Israel the Promised Land (Numbers 13:31-32;14:35-37)
■ A MAJORITY of Israelites were persuaded by the MAJORITY of spies’ cowardice to give up on God’s best and return to slavery (Numbers 14:1-4, cf. Numbers 14:27-30)
■ A MAJORITY of initial disciples abandoned Jesus because of His hard teaching (John 6:66)
■ A MAJORITY of Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him (Mark 14:50)
■ A MAJORITY of Jewish leaders and people wanted a notorious prisoner freed and Jesus crucified (Matthew 27:20)
■ A MAJORITY of the church in Tyre didn’t want Paul to follow the Holy Spirit into danger (Acts 19:21; 20:22; 21:12-13)
1 When the people saw that Moses delayedto come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves togetherto Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the landof Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. 7 And the LORDsaid to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’”9 And the LORDsaid to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” —Exodus 32:1–10
What do crowd-pleasers need to know about majorities?
Majorities frequently lack PERSPECTIVE
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” —John 16:12–13
Majorities frequently lack PATIENCE
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31but they who wait for the LORDshall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:30–31
Majorities frequently lack PERSEVERANCE
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:1–2
Coming up in this series:
May 28 – What if I want to learn from the experience and expertise of others?
June 4 – How do I assemble a DREAM TEAM of advisors?
One Missoula Church gives back to God through sacraficial giving that we use to help others discover and strengthen a relationship with Jesus Christ. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues avialable to us:
- Sunday Morning - offering boxes on the communion tables at theback
- Snail Mail - postage-paid envelope included in the handout
- Text “1MSO” to 888-364-4483
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
