So comfort has danger

The Bible Calendar for  28th May 2024.

Deuteronomy  6: 1–7:10

Ecclesiastes  8: 1–9:10

Luke   8: 22–39

POINTS:

1. Danger of Comfort

2. No One has Power on His Soul

3. Let’s Cross to the Other Side.

1. DANGER OF COMFORT

Many people would have easily reached heaven if they had not been in the position of comfort. When some people were brothers, deacons, elders, pastors, bachelors, spinsters, jobless, and poor; they were fervent in the service of the Lord, but when they moved up to the next level they became somebody else. They are too busy to pray, nobody can correct them even if they do something wrong, and they forget how they prayed before they got their husband or wife. Many elders that have been paying tithes when they were brothers are now too big to pay their tithes and the pastor is seen as a rag in their sight. Many humble and obedient brothers became proud and unapproachable after their ordination to an office, many faithful pastors became carefree and wicked after their promotion to a higher position and they see those under them as less privileged. Moses told the Israelites that they should be careful when they enter into the land when they enjoy the honey and milk of the land and that; they will not turn back from God. Daddy, Mummy, my brother, my sister examine yourself, are you still the same person you were before you attained your new position? How is your spiritual life now to that of the time when you had no job or to your bachelorhood or when you were serving under your master? God understands is now the song; we are busy doing nothing as somebody said.  Let us trace back our Christian Life and serve the Lord no matter how busy we may be; please let us understand that the position we are in is just for an appointed time, and the record of our Christianity is recognized better than that position we are and anyone who lost Christianity has lost the Christian position he occupied, he may be there physically but he is just a figurehead. Examine yourself, do not allow your position to take away your holiness. Moses in his address to the Israel said they are Peculiar People that’s why they cannot do as they like or follow any god for they are special people of God. Somebody said to whom much is given, much is highly expected. Paul also called all the Christians Peculiar People, the Holy Nation that must show the glory of God who called us. That’s why our behaviors, characters, dressings, and utterances must demonstrate the glory of God no matter the position or office we find ourselves.

2. NO ONE HAS POWER  OVER THE SOUL

Man has his limitations which should make all men humble themselves before God. We can see that man cannot remove any ailment that attacks him or has power over death. The king cannot command death to go away from him neither can he command calamities to leave his palace. Only God is powerful enough to deliver us from evil. The Preacher said as the poor die so do the rich, and as the poor fall sick likewise do the rich, the same God is their God, the same natural law governs them and they are going to the same heaven. It’s fearful to see that ministers, pastors, apostles, prophets are also sick and die even while they keeping themselves holy, and many of them face terrible situations on earth and suffer as if they have no God, and some that heal people have nobody to pray for them even when they are sick. If the righteous are narrowly saved where would the unrighteous be; and if the living trees are affected by the wild-wind, where would the dry trees be? Yet some people still claim that they have powers, they can do and undo;  we need to be careful about how we use the position that we find ourselves. We need to humble ourselves before God and use the position very well; you have only one opportunity that distinguishes you from others, you have no power over your soul or death; know your limitations.

3. LET’S CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE

Our life has many faces and we cannot understand how and what is the will of God for our life. Jesus told his disciples to go together to the other side without telling them what they were going to do, or the experience they would have before getting there. And he went with them but sleeping on the pillow as the storm and wild wind was blowing on them. Some said that that Jesus wanted to test their faith, some also said He wanted them to learn what they could do in such a situation, and someone said; he wanted to demonstrate His power, or can we say that an evil spirit on the other side knew what He wanted to do to them and attacked Him before getting there. But all these hypotheses did not concern Jesus, the disciples woke Him up and he rebuked the storm and there was a great calm. You may find yourself in a situation of confusion, the ways may seem close to you; you need to call Jesus to lead you to the other side. Your business, your life, the church, and your home need Jesus who knows where you are and how you can go by the situation at hand. It’s not a time to fight but a time to understand, it’s not a time to demand but a time to encourage, it is not a time to complain but it is a time to comply. No excessiveness but to possess a moderate life, in fact committing suicide is not the solution. But it is sure that God knows how you can receive mercy as the madman of Gadarine. But do not trust in your studies, experience, ability, and power to succeed, but pray to God to see you through. That legion spirit may have it in their mind that after the departure of Jesus, they will locate the man again or find another man to possess,  that may be the reason they asked Jesus to permit the pigs but they all perished in the Sea. Your problems shall be no more in Jesus’ name, only go with the name of Jesus to the other side; your miracle awaits you.

Pastor M. O. Shodipe.

For questions: 08056044717