January 26, 2025

Filling the Gap

Brother Jim McNiell | In Guest Speakers

Filling the Gap

I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness.  When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 22:15-16

In the book of Ezekiel, the Lord through the Holy Spirit asked the people of Israel to step up and fill the gap in the walls that surrounded Jerusalem but no one, not one, stepped up to repair the wall from the Gentiles.    

There are gaps all around us, nationally, locally and believe it or not in the Church.  God looks for those to stand in the gaps. The question is whether you are willing to be that person to deal with the reality of gaps in the wall.

Sometimes we need to balance our Gifts with Needs. 

Some are going to say it is not my talent or I’m not good at that!   Sometimes someone has to step up!

Exodus 4:10: 

  • Moses, said to the LORD, “pardon your servant LORD.  I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant.  I am slow of speech and tongue”.

  • Moses said “It is not my gift”.  I don’t speak well, send someone else, but GOD wanted him to go!

  • Verse 12:  Now go; I will help you to speak and teach you what to say.”  And Moses went!

Jonah 1: 1-2:

  • The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

  • We know the story where Jonah fled the LORD, tried to hide and was on a boat and ended up being thrown overboard and he was swallowed by a big fish where he stayed for three days and three nights.  He was vomited up onto dry land.

  • Jonah stated “I’m not that kind of passionate to go and warn ungodly people, but GOD wanted him to go.  Jonah ended up obeying the LORD and went to Ninevah.

Jeremiah 1: 4 - 8:

  • The word of the LORD came to me, saying Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say I am, too young.  You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”  Declares the LORD.

  • .  Jeremiah stated “I am too young to serve in such a way”.  But GOD wanted him to go!  Jeremiah served!

Judges 6:1 4-16:

  • The LORD turned to him (Gideon) and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.  Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, but how can I save Israel?  My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites’, leaving none alive.

  • Gideon says “I am a nobody!  Gideon took 10 servants and went!

Most of us feel the same way.  Not my job!  Not my gift!  Others are better suited!

For I know the plans I have for you”, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

According to data collected by Promise Keepers and Baptist Press:

  • Ff a father does not go to church, even if his wife does, only 1 child in 50 will become a regular worshiper.

  • If a father does go regularly, regardless of what the mother does, between 2/3 and 3/4 of their children will attend church as adults. 

  • If a father attends church irregularly, between half and 2/3 of their kids will attend church with some regularity as adults.

  • If a mother does not go to church, but a father does, a minimum of 2/3 of their children will end up attending church.

  • In contrast, if a father does not go to church, but the mother does, on average 2/3 of their children will not attend church. 

  • Another study, focused on Sunday School, found similar results on the impact of fathers:

    • When both parents attend Bible study in addition to the Sunday service, 72% of their children attend Sunday school when grown.

    • When only the father attends Sunday school, 55% of the children attend when grown.

    • When only the mother attends Sunday school, 15% of the children attend when grown.

    • When neither parent attends Sunday school, only 6% of the children attend when grown.

  • Another survey found that if a child is the first person in a household to become a Christian, there is a 3.5% probability everyone else in the household will follow.

    • If the mother is the first to become a Christian, there is a 17% probability everyone else in the household will follow.

    • However, when the father is first, there is a 93% probability everyone else in the household will follow. 

You’ll never truly feel connected to a church until you begin to serve in it.  Attending helps you grow spiritually, but serving allows you to fulfill your God given purpose!

PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD AND STEP UP TO STAND IN THE GAP!