I come to cause separation

Deuteronomy  23: 9–24: 22
Jonah 1 & 2
Luke  12: 41–59

POINTS:
1. Marriage Divorce
2. Arise, call your God
3. I come to cause Separation

1.  Marriage Divorce
When a true picture of the man and woman in marriage is exposed to each other after marriage, it becomes unbearable to some and they will like to divorce. Moses told the Israelites to register the divorce formally and legally so that the woman who is divorced by a man can be free to remarry. But if the latest husband divorces the same woman, the former husband should not marry her again. Technically, Moses was telling them to endure each other and to understand one another for both will not appreciate one another until they parted and they will like to do anything to get back to their former love especially when they might have tasted other persons. That’s why the Court of Law will not split those who apply for divorce immediately, some Judges will tell them to live together and come back some months after, this is a delay tactic and it may be that they will realize their mistakes and some that realized themselves would withdraw the file of divorce. Jesus amended this law saying Moses allowed divorce because of the stubbornness of the people but in the plan of God He did not provide any alternatives to marriage; Eve was the only woman made for Adam which gave no choice for him to divorce even after the fall from the garden they still accept their fate. Divorce is a pollution to our society today, many single parents’ children become a societal problem meanwhile not all of those children lost their fathers to death but through divorce whether legal or illegal, there shall be no other father or mother to those children and the havoc of the later will be more than the former. In fact, those who lost their fathers to death often comport themselves, and the person alive team up with the family to help the children of the deceased. Please, divorce is not a solution to marital problems, if you send him or her out from your life his or her blood and water that have mixed together cannot be drawn out; and the good sides will continue to harm you and the reaction will be annoyance towards the children and the new person that you join yourself; why didn’t you work out the marriage instead of divorce? Remember you did not start the relationship in that way, and we should realize that there is no perfect being, you may see worse from another woman or man and you will not be able to come back to your former home; I pray may the Lord help us conquer the misunderstanding that is fighting against marriages in our society in Jesus name.

2.  ARISE CALL ON YOUR GOD
The prayer that many would have prayed at their convenient time will be offered in problem time. Jonah was told to rise and call on his God since there was a problem, and as others were calling on their gods and had no solution he did not bother rather he was sleeping. Reading this place shows that this man wanted to commit suicide because he knew the source of the problem yet he went to sleep thinking he would drown from sleep but he was asked to rise and pray because of the lives of others. Many know the source of their problems but they still prove stubborn, their wives and children will be suffering yet they will be relaxed. Something surprised me, instead of for Jonah to confess his sin he asked the people to cast him into the Sea, which shows he was ready to die instead, and the people did not want to do that but as they have no choice they did and they were saved. Having still found himself alive he repented and prayed in the fish for three days of dry fasting. Yes, you may be right about what you are dragging with God but who can question Him? Jonah knew that God had planned that because of the sins of Israelites and Judah Nineveh would be used to punish them, but as God had sent him to preach repentance to Nineveh, he didn’t want to go that God may destroy them and perish. Today, many Christians rejoice at the destruction of wicked people instead of preaching and saving the wicked in their families communities, and nations. God has no pleasure in the dead of summer, preach and pray for the safety of your family, community, church, and nation at large, this is not the time to fold our hands, remember, Daniel called on his colleagues to pray to  God so that they may not perish with other people. Esther asked the Hebrews to pray that the pranks of the enemy may be nullified, so we need to pray that the plans of the evil people may not be executed on us and our people. Pray for the Government that God should show them what to do so that they may rule well.

3. I COME TO CAUSE SEPARATION
Jesus said that He came to cause separation between family, wife and her mother-in-law, between brothers and sisters because He shall save two out of the family of five and leave others or save three and leave others, this has been a problem in many families today; as religion has torn them apart. Many capitalize on this statement and fail in their duties in the family and Community because they show themselves as Pharisees. But Christians need to be wise because you can win your argument and lose your friend, we don’t need to engage in argument. Jesus brothers did not accept His preaching until after crucifixion and resurrection, the time of salvation of an individual is different, but our duty is to preach the gospel because we are saved to save others. Yes there will be differences in understanding, behaviors, and beliefs but we need to draw them closer and pray for their salvation; the separation is there already but goodness will draw them to the Cross. The passion of the Gospel must consume us to do extremely good to them, that will be a magnet to draw them to us. When we associate with them in the time of their troubles God will prove Himself and deliver them and they will become Christians. Jesus is coming, or we are going to meet with Him, He has no interest in how many houses you built, but in how many souls you saved. I pray we will get abundant reward in heaven in Jesus’ name.
Pastor M. O. Shodipe.
For questions: 08056044717