TOPIC: BE WARY OF OFFENCE
MEMORISE:
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19
READ: Genesis 27:38-41
38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
MESSAGE
Many Christians take people's love and loyalty for granted. When a brother or sister in Christ loves you, be careful not to disappoint them because if you do, and the fellow is offended, they may never regain the love they had for you. If someone is willing to make sacrifices for you, take that as a challenge for you to also make sacrifices for them. When they are loyal to you, you must also be loyal to them. The closer someone is to you, the more careful you must be not to offend them.
Many ministers of God feel that because they are the head of a ministry, they can do whatever they like without caring about the people that love them. For some, the moment they become popular, they begin to take those who started out with them for granted. Many sworn enemies today are people who were close friends yesterday. There is an English proverb that says, "Make new friends and keep the old; one is silver, the other is gold." Old friends are gold; they knew and loved you when you were nothing. As years pass by, your new friends will also start turning to gold. You can keep making new friends but keep the old ones.
One thing that has helped us in RCCG is that everyone who labored with us when we were still very small is honored and appreciated. This way, the younger ones see that if they work hard, they will not be neglected.
The worst enemy anyone can have is the enemy within his or her household. An enemy that goes in and out with someone is very dangerous. Believers must be careful not to offend their brothers and turn them into enemies; they are likely to suffer greatly for it. When you notice that there is something that may offend your brother, call him aside and discuss it with him. Matthew 5:23-24 says that when you go to God with an offering, and you remember that a brother has something against you, you are to leave your offering there and seek to reconcile with that brother before you come back to give the offering. Note that the Bible does not say, "If you have something against the brother," but, "If the brother has something against you. Don't put a stumbling block between yourself and God. The Bible says in Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, Live peaceably with all men."
As much as it may be in your power, live in peace with everyone around you.
KEY POINT
A brother's love is strong, but it must never be taken for granted.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 36-38
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 11: I'VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS
1. I’ve found a friend in Jesus,
He’s come to stay with me;
I hear His voice so precious,
His smiling face I see.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thy love is all our song;
Our Friend so dear and precious
Through all our journey long.
2. Mid earthly throngs that gather,
I walk with Him alone;
I see and know no other,
And by none else I’m known.
3. In storms of persecution,
My Friend is ever near,
And sheltered in His bosom,
I rest without a fear.
4. In daily toils He’s with me,
From early morn till night,
And while in sweet communion,
He makes the burden light.
5. In twilight’s holy stillness,
How blest the hour we spend
In sweet converse with Jesus,
My everlasting Friend.
6. I sink to sleep in Jesus,
Adoring heaven’s grace,
Oft taste His loving visions,
And wake in His embrace.
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