MEMORISE:
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1Thessalonians 2:4
READ: Acts 20:26-28
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
MESSAGE
If someone claims to be telling you the truth, but you later find out he was hiding some details from you, you would feel he/she has lied to you. This is what Pastors do when they hide some truth from their members so as not to appear harsh. If the sheep that God has placed in your care get malnourished and die a spiritual death, their blood will be on your hands.
“…He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:16
Many years ago, I was invited as the main speaker at a three-day crusade. On the third day, I told my host that since I had spent the first two days speaking about our Christian lives here on earth, I wanted to speak on restitution, to prepare the people for Heaven. He refused, saying “You want to scatter the people you have already gathered?” Then he asked me to speak on prosperity. Due to ministerial ethics, I had to oblige him, so I chose 3 John 1:2 as the anchor scripture:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
In The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I have been speaking the whole truth to the people, even the very hard truths, yet the Church keeps growing, God will draw people to the place where He is sure they will hear the truth. It is okay to preach about prosperity, blessing and other things that being a Christian avail you, but you are liar if you never preach about sanctification, holiness, restitution and so on. When Jesus was about to leave the earth, in John 17:12 He gave a report of the people He had been discipling, saying:
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”
When you are about to leave also, you will be required to give a report. What will your report be on that day?
KEY POINT:
God’s word needs no sugarcoating; preach it as it is.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 5-8
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
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