Tator Family, The

The Tator Family

Introduction: People tend to have similar traits. I know the way some of my relatives will react to a situation because of the way they think. If they were in a car together and had a flat tire I know one would think of the worse possible outcome. Another would blame the drive for the flat tire. Yet another would volunteer to stand beside the road to flag down any cars. One or two would see if there is a spare tire in and then change it. I have found in my years of preaching while people are all different they are like many others. As the Tee shirt said, "You are special, just like everybody else." Let us look at the Tator Family to show what I am talking about.

A) Brother Agi-Tator

1. This is the person that is always trying to stir up trouble in Bible Class.

a) Ask questions in order to create confusion, Titus 3.9-11

b) Some questions are not for us to ask and don’t have any question we can ascertain.

2. They never have a word of encouragement, Nehemiah 4.1-3

a) Some favor phrases is, "I told you it wouldn’t work" and "It’s not my fault."

B) Sister Irra-Tator

1. Complains and grumbles about everything, Exodus 14.10-12; 15.24

a) My Dad used to say that if you found a gold mine they would complain because it wasn’t silver.

2. When they speak it is with evil intent, Acts 16.16-18

3. If there is peace and quiet it won’t last long once sister Irra-Tator gets there.

C) Brother Dic-Tator

1. Has to have things his way, 3 John 9

a) Some favorite sayings is "My way or the highway."

b) His opinion is his matter of faith.

2. He will either rule the nest or destroy it, Esther 3.5-6

3. He views the church as his possession instead of the Lord’s, Colossians 1.18

a) Can tell you how many generations his family has been coming to this congregation.

b) Often speaks of love and forbearance but shows little.

D) Sister Lamen-Tator

1. All the good days are in the past.

2. Some thing is wrong with every body except her.

a) The preacher is too tall or short, talks funny or not enough, sermons are too long or too short, is too intellectual or not deep enough, etc.

b) The men are not knowledgeable enough or flaunt their knowledge.

c) The sisters are cold and distant.

d) In times past the sermons were better, prayers more heart felt, Bible Classes were really classes, song leaders knew what they were doing, and the Lord’s Supper always had a cloth over it.

3. Ancestor of Judas, Matthew 26.6-13

4. Don’t recognize the good around them.

E) Brother Spec-Tator

1. He never gets involved, always on the side lines watching.

a) If you ask him he will tell how it should have been done but he actually hasn’t done it.

b) The typical Monday morning quarterback in the pew.

2. He wants all the privileges but none of the responsibilities of membership., Matthew 11.20-24

a) Expects someone to teach the Bible Class but never volunteers to do so.

b) Likes "good singing" but doesn’t open his song book.

c) Thinks somebody should always be prepared to preach but not him.

d) Won’t lead in prayer or do any thing else but come and leave.

F) Mr. Hesi-Tator

1. Not a member but he knows the truth, Acts 17.32-33

2. Says he loves God, but lives like he hates Him. For love is keeping the commandments of God.

3. Uncle Felix-Tator is part of the family, Acts 24.25

4. Part of his problem is he has a hard time making the commitment to obey the gospel.

a) Everybody wishes he would but that is something he must do for himself.

b) Leaving sin is hard but necessary in order to go to heaven.

G) Sistor Imi-Tator

1. She has modeled her life after Jesus, 1 Corinthians 11.1

2. Her full time job is being a godly woman, a Christian.

a) Doesn’t have much time to complain or grumble but even if she did she would not.

b) Seems to always be busy with her faith, James 2.17,18

b) People tend to either really like Miss Imi-Tator or stay away from her.

H) Brother Medi-Tator

1. He examines his life and studies to make sure he is doing the right things, Psalm 1.1,2

2. He takes the lessons home with them and thinks about them, Psalm 119.48

Conclusion: Do you belong to the Tator family? We all do, some where in this group is you and me. What kind of a Tator are you? Make sure it is the kind that will go to heaven.

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.26.06

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