The Tator Family
Introduction
I. We have, in the church today, many different types of people: single, married,
rich, poor, teachers, farmers etc.
A. Therefore, the families in the church vary in size, occupation, and education.
B. "It takes all kinds to make a world" - but there are
some this world could do without.
II. There is a certain family who thinks they are members of the
church in good standing. We hope that you are not a member
of this family known as the TATOR FAMILY.
Body
I. The first member is well known to all - we'll call him "Spec-Tator".
A. One who looks on, he can't (or at least doesn't make the
effort to) do anything.
1. He doesn't sing, pray, or teach - just there observing.
2. "Spec" thinks little more of attending a worship
service than he does some type of sporting event.
B. Christianity is not a spectator sport, nor is it a spectator religion.
1. Each Christian must give not only his full attention, but also his full
participation to each item of the worship God has commanded.
2. More than that, if we have one or more talents or
abilities, we must use them as we have opportunity.
C. "Spec" doesn't do any work, but the true Christian obeys
the words pinned by the apostle paul.
1 Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord."
II. "Agi-Tator"
A. One who keeps things stirred up.
B. There is at least one "Agi" in almost every congregation.
1. "Agi" thrives on contention.
2. He will not allow the church to be at peace.
3. With him it is just one thing after another - at least
as long as he can get by with it.
C. Consider Elymas:
Acts 13:8-11 "But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name
by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away
the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also [is
called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes
on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all
mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all
righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right
ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord
[is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the
sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a
mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to
lead him by the hand."
1. He was made an example because of his behavior.
2. In Rom. 16:17,18 Paul speaks concerning his kind.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which
ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are
such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple."
3. So, "Agi" is not to be allowed to accomplish his goals.
III. "Devas-Tator"
A. Always tearing down - never trying to build unless it
is for the purpose of building his own influence.
B. He leads people away with high sounding words.
1. Peter speaks of his kind:
Pet. 2:18-19 "For when they speak great swelling
[words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of
the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that
were clean escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves
are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man
is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
2. He gets people to believe in him and while
promising liberty leads them from the truth.
3. In the last few decades "Devastator" has led many
from the truth and harmed the influence of many
sound congregations.
4. "Devas" and "Agi" are very much of the same mind.
a. But "Devas" has more influence, and is the leader.
b. "Agi" is often used by "Devas" to accomplish his goals.
5. To the Christian who loves the truth and does not
allow himself to come to think of a man "above that
which is written", "Devas" has no power.
a. He comes across as one who thinks he knows
everything and can do no wrong.
b. He always has an answer and never admits having been wrong.
6. One of the things that is an abomination to God is
"he that soweth discord among brethren" (Prov. 6:19).
a. "Devas" sows, and "Agi" helps it grow.
b. "Devas" should be handled in the same way as "Agi":
"Mark Them and Avoid Them".
IV. "Lamen-Tator"
A. The Church has its share of hypochondriacs - always
mourning and depressed.
B. We aren't talking about those who are really sick.
1. Lamentators illnesses and problems are imaginary and
he's constantly sharing his troubles with others.
2. He's never happy, always thinking about his own self
and trying to draw sympathy.
C. If there is anyone who has cause for joy and happiness it
is one who has found the TRUTH and learned how to obtain
ETERNAL LIFE.
1. l Pet. 1:8 - "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom,
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory".
2. Lamen-Tator does not have joy, therefore he lacks this
character found in members of the family of God.
V. "Dic-Tator"
A. He wants to rule over a congregation, and if he does not
succeed he becomes like "Agi" or "Devas".
B. He says, "I'll rule you or ruin you".
C. Consider Diotrephes:
3 John 9-10 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth
us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds
which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words:
and not content therewith, neither doth he himself
receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and
casteth [them] out of the church."
1. It is a bad situation when "Dic" finds his place in a
congregation, because after it happens it is too late.
2. Either the congregations goes along with him or he
does his best to ruin it.
VI. "Commen-Tator"
A. Full of advice and comments.
B. He tells everyone all the things they need to do, but
doesn't do them himself.
1. What things he does do he does to be seen of men.
2. Jesus said: "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous
to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but
they [themselves] will not move them with one of their
fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of
men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge
the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues."
VII. "Imi-Tator"
A. Copies after others - goes with the crowd.
B. Where ever you find "Devas" or "Dic" you'll find "Imi".
1. "Imi" tries to be like the one who is getting the attention.
2. Whatever "Devas" or "Dic" teaches, "Imi" is sure to
receive and begin doing the same.
3. But Paul exhorted us to NOT be like "Imi".
Eph. 4:14,15 "That we should no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind
of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning
craftness by which they lie in wait to deceive, but
speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all
things into Him who is the head - Christ".
VIII. "Medi-Tator"
A. All the time thinking, and studying, but never doing anything.
1. He has the ability to do but lacks courage.
2. He never teaches a class or preaches, or does personal work,
even though he thinks about it and is preparing for it.
B. It is best to first count the cost (Lk 14:28) but we must remember -
meditation precedes, and work follows.
1. What good is it to think out, learn, and plan something if we don't do it?
2. Meditation is good but God likes a "DOER" of His word...
IX. "Hesi-Tator"
A. Never chooses - can't decide.
B. Festus is a good example: "When I have a convenient season..."
C. Agrippa is another example: "Almost thou persuadest me to become
a Christian."
D. The Israelites often had to be rebuked for being this way.
1. (I Kings 18:21) Elijah asked, "How long halt ye
between two opinions?"
2. On another occasion Joshua commanded them: "Choose
you this day..." (Josh. 24:15)
3. To the one who hesitates God says to them: "Choose you this day".
Conclusion
I. The father of this family is Satan.
John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts
of your father ye will do".
II. Every member of this family hinders the growth of the church.
III. We must turn our back on this family and the things they
do, and be adopted into the family of God.
IV. If we're in the family of God let's stay out of the Tator Family.
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