Bill O’Riley says, “I’m looking out for you.” Have you heard someone say, “I am just looking out for the best interest of the church? Just what does that mean?
SCRIPTURE:
Read Acts 7: 54-59 “When they (Sanhedrin) heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth….But he (Stephen)being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up into heaven, and saw the glory of God…and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at the young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”
Acts 8:1-4 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
Philippians 3:6 He spoke of himself, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church…”
Acts9: 1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest…that if he found any…whether men or women…he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
LESSON:
I usually, jump back a few feet when someone says, “I am looking out for the best interest of the church,” because, the first thing that comes to my mind is Paul. Was it not ironic that Paul, one of the most religious men of the day, was the very one that was set on destroying the “true” church. Not only was he against Christianity, he sought will all diligence to kill all Christians, and anything to do with “kingdom growth.” Does looking out for church mean, going to church every Sunday, creating programs and seeing they thrive, learning scripture so we can condemn our brothers and sisters, wear our crosses and other religious symbols and adorning our cars with fish and religious decals to identify our religious beliefs, etc, etc, … Upon occasion the religious take it upon themselves to “keep the church pure,” by closing the doors to those who do not look or worship as they do. Some take it upon themselves to thrash and bash the minister of God who seeks to follow Him, to preach the Truth, who are bold enough to stand up in the face of opposition. All these things are done in the name of religion. Religion is about “looking like” but Christianity is seeking to be obedient to God regardless of religious traditions.
APPLICATION:
1. Do you find it strange that a believer in God could set out to destroy all that Jesus died for?
2. What similarities do you see about Paul’s religion and that of the religious people of today?
3. What are some things that are not Christ like but are done in the name of religion?
4. Give some examples where we hold traditions as having equal authority as Scripture?
5. How do we allow our relationship with God to be reduced to a legalistic list of rules and rituals?
PRAYER:
Dear Father, Forgive me of the times that I have been indifferent to individuals or mistreated them in the name of being religious. Create in me a zeal to be about “kingdom” growth, instead of conforming to religious traditions. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Great post. Something is not quite right. I have tried to respond four times but my comment is not accepted...not sure what is up..
ReplyDeleteI was like Saul and so thankful for that relationship today!
Looks like it worked coming in under anonymous but would not let me come in with wordpress profile. Sorry!
Thank you Patsy! Paul was threatened by the beliefs of others. Are we open to love or more concerned with how others do it. May we look out for and stand up for love and not how others go about it... could we, like Saul, be a little off base? Jesus is not!
ReplyDeleteI think people are as blind today as we were 2000 years ago. As it was then it is also now. If anyone can see the truth it is because God allows. Why then does God allow some and not all to see? God does not change. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God allowed a few to see in the past and those few were obligated to those who could not see. Why is it this way?
ReplyDeleteShepherds. Or shephards, if you perfer the older spelling.
Let me speak to and of a shepherd:
God only needs a few shepherds to feed His sheep. God has legions of angels, always ready to serve. But angels are one way messengers. We answer and speak directly to God, and God has no limits to the way He contacts and speaks to us. Why do we think that we are ever alone. If your eyes are closed and you are standing in the midst of 10,000 soldiers all heavily armed....and if someone tells you that you are surrounded by them....why are you afraid? Because you cant see them for yourself.
God works the same way. It is called faith. That is what it means when God says we are called to rely on our faith in HIM. We are not called to have faith in our ability to have faith in God...we are called to have faith that God IS.
Some are called to feed His sheep. Why dont we look into the job discription of a good shepherd?
First, Id say bravery. Wolves are everywhere and they dont have four legs and fur anymore than the sheep of God have four legs and wool. Wolves enjoy hiding where the sheep are; so churches are full of hidden wolves. And a shepherd has to have another kind of bravery: leave this flock and go to that one: because sometimes where there is a particular sheep called by God to a particular mission....there will be particular wolves....many many sly and evil wolves...sometimes God needs a David. A young shephard; who is not afraid to go home, where everyone knew him before he was called by God; and face a giant for God.
So many people would fall on their faces in prayer to God if they could just see a demon...but that will not happen because that would cause fear of satan and satan is nothing and we do not fear nothing. God will not let us see Him; which would also cause rightfull fear and trembling and repenting BUT that would circumvent FAITH. God only asks one thing of us; Faith in HIM. Why do we struggle so with only one request?
A shepherds work, is never done.
Sometimes a shephard, like any other man falls to the lures of satan. It is easy to take a wrong turn. Sometimes God provides a personal GPS. The bottom line is simple: will you try to make a liar of God, or will you prove what is that good and true will of Jehovah?
A shepherd must be a man of faith first and foremost or he is not a shepherd. When a sheep cries out for help to a shepherd; the good shepherd drops everything and starts heading to the sheep.
So thats what I think: put up or shut up. If you are a shepherd then do what you promised God you would do. If you are not a shepherd, step aside and get yourself into a good flock.
Oh, and by the way: peek-a-boo; I can SEE you. So what I want to know is; can you hear me?
Check out the post, Get Rid of Your Junk on Thursday. I get off based when I get out of God's presence.
ReplyDeletei was speaking metaphorically, lol.
ReplyDelete