A minister asked a returned G.I. to speak in his pulpit one Sunday. The veteran reluctantly consented to do so on the condition that the congregation sing, "Like a Mighty ArmyMoves the Church of God", just before he was to speak. Here is what he said:

"Like a Mighty Army moves the Church of God". That might have been all right once, but the trouble now is that about ten million men know exactly how an army moves. And it doesn't move in a way a lot of you folks do in church -- or do not.

Suppose the army accepted the lame excuses that many of you think are good enough to serve as an alibi for not attending the church parade.

Imagine this if you can: Reveille at seven o'clock -- squads on the parade ground. The Sergeant barks out, "Count off by fours." "One." "Two." "Three." " Number four is missing. Where's Private Smith?"

"Oh", says a buddy by the vacant space, "Private Smith was too sleepy to get up this morning. He was out late last night and needed the sleep. He said he'd be with you in spirit."

"That's fine," says the Sergeant, "remember me to him." "Where's Brown?" asks the Sergeant.

"Oh," says another chap, "He's playing golf. He gets only one day a week for recreation, and you know how important that is."

"Sure, sure," says the Sergeant cheerfully, "hope he has a good game. Where's Robinson?"

"Robinson," explains a buddy, "is sorry not to greet you in person, but he's entertaining guests today and of course, he couldn't come. Besides, he was at drill last week."

"Thank you," says the Sergeant smiling. "Tell him he is welcome any time he finds it convenient to drop in for drill."

Honestly, now, could any conversation happen like that in the Army? Don't make me laugh! If a G.I. tried to pull that stuff, he would get twenty days in the guard house. Yet you talk like that every week in the church -- and say it with a straight face, too.

"Like a Mighty Army"! Why if this church really moved like a mighty army, a lot of you folks would be court-martialed within the hour. (Selected from War Cry)

How then is the churcvh to move like a mighty army? Proverbs 13:20 states we are to make sure we have the right team! Proverbs 13:20, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE WRONG TEAM

"But the companion of fools will be destroyed." (v. 20b)

That brings us to the question -- who is a fool from the Biblical standpoint? There are two basic definitions. One refers to an unbeliever and one to a believer so there are times believers can act like unbelievers. See first the use of the word "fool" as it relates to unbelievers. Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." If you want a fascinating study, note the use of the word "fool" throughout the book of Proverbs. After you complete the study, then II Corinthians 5:14-18 will take on new meaning. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation."

Now that word "fool" is also used in reference to believers; in fact, Ephesians 5:15 flatly states that any believers who do not walk carefully, is a fool. Study the five references to the word "walk" in Ephesians 4 and 5. This is the reason John, the author, was very direct when he said what he did in I John 2:15-17. Worldliness is that cringing desire for pleasure, position and possessions. If we go down that road we are not walking carefully; in fact, Jesus said this is the reason so many believers strike out! Matthew 13:22:

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Those who become unfruitful have not walked carefully. Even though they make it to heaven they will have a I Corinthinas 3:15 entrance! What a penalty for not walking carefully! Here's the point: Proverbs 13:20b states that such people are not good team members. Put them on your team and the enemy will win.

Dr. James McGinley was a well known preacher from the past. He was also a pastor and I'll never forget his comment when he spoke to the Board of his church. He said, "You can't run a Waldorf Astoria with Flop House help." That was not well received because the church didn't listen. Today the main auditorium is closed and they meet in the basement and yet within a few miles is the Brooklyn Tabernacle with four Sunday services and 1,600 people in each service! How do you explain it? Proverbs 13:20 has the answer which is simple. Don't fight one another. Fight Satan but always with the right team.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT TEAM

"He who walketh with the wise men will be wise." Proverbs 13:20a

That leads to an obvious question which is -- from the Biblical standpoint who are the wise? Ephesians 5:15-18 states that you will recognize them because they are marked by three characteristics:

1. They redeem the time.

2. They know the will of God and do it.

3. They are controlled by the Holy Spirit; i.e. they are people who realize the issue is

not how much we have of the Holy Spirit, but how much does the Holy Spirit have of us?

A WARNING!!!

The Bible says a great deal about soliciting wrong team members. Note just one of many examples; namely, God's warning to Moses. Exodus 23:32,33 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me; for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."

The weekend of September 26-28, Songtime USA will have a mini weekend Bible conference at Four Points Hotel in Eastham, MA (here on Cape Cod). Chuck Davis, missionary statesman who got his start at the Ruggles St. Baptist Church in Boston, where I spent sixteen wonderful years, will be our Bible teacher. Rob Vernon, the young man who survived an airplane crash will share his unusual story and sing. A dear friend of mine, Pastor Ed Berkey, has mentioned to me several times that he feels God wants to move in revival in New England. I agree and we are praying to that end. Therefore, I'm asking believers all over the nation who understand this Proverbs 13:20 study to join the Songtime Corporation and meet with us. If the Lord lays this on your heart, write to me. Mark it "Personal". Let me get in touch with you. The battle is supernatural and the fight must be corporate, not individual. If you understand this, join us! Even though you may not be led to do this, you can certainly pray for the ministry and support it. This is a day of an unbelievable lack of spiritual discernment. Songtime USA must not only stay on all the stations we are on but we must add stations.

Jimmy DeYoung says weekly on the broadcast, "The stage is set. The actors are in place. Let's keep looking up UNTIL."