Open Heavens Wednesday, July 15
Adult English
2020
FEED THE SHEEP
Also Read MASKING YOUR INSECURITY WITH CONFIDENCE
2 Corinthians 12:14-18
14. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18. I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Memorise
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
2 Corinthians 12:15
“Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 2 Corinthians 12:14”
It is very sad that these days, many pastors are not after souls, but rather, what is in the possession of these souls. Jesus instruction is Feed my sheep not Get fed off my sheep. We should all learn from the example of Apostle Paul. He was a man who was willing to spend and be spent for the sake of the flock. Even when they didnt seem to be reciprocating his love for them, he loved them even more. As a Pastor, Head of department or leader in whatever capacity, you need to check your motivations from time to time. Are you more interested in what the people have or in the prosperity of their souls? When you are more interested in what they have, you will find yourself excusing the sin of one fellow because he is rich while you condemn the same when committed by someone poor. You would find yourself visiting only the rich members of the Church or your department/unit as the case may be, while you hardly check on the poorer ones. Indeed, the Church needs money to do a lot of things, but are we supposed to look to human beings instead of God to sponsor His work? Apostle James warned against this preferential treatment in the house of God in James 2:2-4 which says:
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
God sent us out to bring souls into His kingdom, not money. Dont leave the most important for the least important.This charge is to every Christian and not just pastors and leaders in the Church alone. Ensure you bring the word of God to the fore in every situation or gathering you find yourself in. God is relying on you to feed His sheep and bring the lost ones into the fold.
Point
Pursue souls, not what they have.
Bible in One Year
Isaiah 13:1-22 , Isaiah 14:1-32 , Isaiah 15:1-9 , Isaiah 16:1-14 , Isaiah 17:1-14
Hymns
Hold the Fort
1. Ho, my comrades! see the signal
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing,
Victory in nigh!
CHORUS:
"Hold the fort, for I am coming,"
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
"By Thy grace we will,"
2. See the mighty host advancing
Satan leading on:
Mighty men around us falling,
Courage almost gone!
CHORUS:
"Hold the fort, for I am coming,"
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
"By Thy grace we will,"
3. See the glorious banner waving!
Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader's name we'll triumph
Over ev'ry foe!
CHORUS:
"Hold the fort, for I am coming,"
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
"By Thy grace we will,"
4. Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our help is near:
Onward comes our great commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
CHORUS:
"Hold the fort, for I am coming,"
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
"By Thy grace we will,"
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