God’s Stance on Rebellion in the Church God is a God of order. He is not the Author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). He recognises constituted authorities; this includes the state and the church. God expects believers to obey the civil government as long as such governments stand under the law of God; is an agent of justice to restrain evil by punishing the wrongdoer and protect the good in the society (Rom 13:1-4). If on the other hand we have a government that abandons its proper function and engages on issues that runs contrary to the Word of God, Christians in such cases must obey God rather than men. In this lesson, we will focus more on rebellion by people of God against those chosen by God as their leaders. We shall glean at the lives of some noteworthy characters in the Bible who rebelled against authorities that were ordained by God. We shall also see God’s response to such actions. 1. Miriam (Numbers 12:1-18) Miriam was the elder sister of Aaron and Moses. She was the one who stood at a distance to watch what will happen to baby Moses when their mother dropped him at the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:1-4). She was the prophetess who led the other women in the victory song of praise after Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground (Exodus 15:20-21). This women’s leader and her younger brother Aaron spoke against their leader and their brother Moses (Numbers 12:1-2). God did not like their actions and dealt with her (Miriam) appropriately. God put leprosy on her and was separated from the camp for seven days. Had it not been for Moses’ intervention, she might have remained a leper forever. Although Miriam and Aaron were both older than Moses, yet God would not allow them to question the authority of His chosen one. Their actions stem out of lack of fear for God or respect for His Word. Although they were leaders, they were however not on the same level as Moses (Numbers 12:6-8). They therefore had no right to question the authority of Moses. Note I noticed that the Bible is silent on Aaron’s punishment. Possibly God in exercising His prerogative decided to leave him. This is a food for thought to those of us who are quick in joining others to sin. Let us avoid being partakers of other people’s sins (Exodus 23:2). 2. Israel (Numbers 13 and 14) Numbers Chapters 13 and 14 have the record of Israel’s great rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This rebellion was as a result of the evil report brought back by 10 of the 12 spies sent to Canaan. The failure of Israel to accept the testimony of faithful spies Caleb and Joshua made them to rebel against God and His servants Moses and Aaron (Num 14:1-4). God saw their action as not only a rebellion against His servants but against Him (Num 14:11-12). Moses’ intervention on behalf of his fellow Israelites did not remove God’s decision and determination to deal with rebellious Israel. He had this to say in Num 14:22-23 “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:” Brethren it is important to note that although God is patient and merciful, He also judges sin and rebellion. He will never tolerate outright rebellion from His people against His chosen vessels. Be Warned! 3. Korah et al (Numbers Chapter 16) Num 16:1-35 describes the mutiny led by Korah, a Levite, a popular leader and influential figure in the exodus. Other mutineers included Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben. These men with another group of 250 men challenged Moses’ authority and the command that Aaron alone was to be high priest. They through their action rejected God and His revealed Word regarding who led God’s people. As a consequence of their ill advised action, the Lord dealt with them severely. The Bible says in Num 16:31-33 “31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 4. Absalom (2 Samuel Chapters 15 to 18) Absalom was David’s third son who was born to him by Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (2 Sam 3:3). He conspired for four years to steal the throne from his father (2 Sam 15:7). It was at a time that David because of his sin and consequent failure to manage his own house, has lost much of the people’s respect. Absalom’s rebellion forced David to flee Jerusalem in order to escape from him (Absalom) who sought to kill him and gain the throne. God dealt a very heavy blow on Absalom’s plot against his father. Absalom paid dearly for it with his life (2 Sam 18:9, 14-15). All rebellions against those anointed by God are seen by God as rebellions against Him. Absalom died in spite of David’s shortcomings and desire to have Absalom alive. Conclusion The Bible has the record of many rebellions. There are rebellions by wicked men against wicked men; those by good people against wicked people and those against God’s chosen leaders. We decided to address those rebellions against God’s chosen leaders because it connects with those of us in the church. All rebellions against God’s chosen vessels are doomed for failure. This is because God sees such actions as deeds against Him. God did not exonerate Miriam when she spoke against Moses. Although she was much older than Moses, God afflicted her with leprosy for making such careless statements about her leader. It is likely that you are older than your pastor and may possibly have given your life to Christ before him; these credentials still do not confer on you the right to rebel. Your being influential in the congregation like Korah, Dathan and Abiram does not provide the impetus for rebellion against church authorities. That you belong to the main tribe in your denomination or being from the family of the founder doesn’t make rebellion acceptable to God. Remember Absalom David’s son! Rebellion does not mean that we can’t hold an opinion different from our church authorities. As responsible members of the congregation God expects us to call the attention of the authorities to our position. This we can do prayerfully and in a most humble manner (1 Tim 5:1). It is the prerogative of the pastor to accept or reject it. If he does accept our stand, we’ll bless the Lord for it. If on the other hand the church authorities or the pastor finds our position unacceptable and we feel strongly that the status quo runs contrary to the Bible, God expects us to leave such a church. We have not rebelled by leaving (2 Cor 6:17-18). But it becomes a rebellion when we stay back to take up arms and instigate other congregants against the church authorities or we stop paying our tithes to that church or refuse to take on leadership roles. Such actions will never be taken lightly by God. Let us know assuredly that nobody who raises his hand against the Lord’s anointed goes unpunished. 1 Sam 26:9 “And David said to Abishai, Destroy him (Saul) not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?” You can also read 1 Samuel 24:4-6, 9-10. He will definitely judge such sins. God recognises constituted authorities and as long as you are in that ministry or church you are under the pastor’s authority, his lifestyle notwithstanding (1 Pet 2:18; Tit 2:9). I advise again leave in order to save your soul. Altar Call Have your totally surrendered your life unto the Lord Jesus Christ and made Him your Lord and personal Saviour? If not, then take the following steps of faith in order to be saved and receive strength to serve Him. A – Admit that you are a sinner (Rom 3:23) B – Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save you from your sins and sins’ problems (Mathew 1:21) C – Confess your sins and invite the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour (Romans 10:9-10) D – Depart from doing evil and live a righteous life in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-14) I would like to specially invite you to the weekly Sunday Worship Service of the Moment of Truth Ministries at the PARLIAMENT HILL SCHOOL (Main Hall), High Gate Road, Camden, London NW5 1RL. The time is 3.30 p.m. Also you can watch the messages of Pastor Samson Jebutu of the Moment of Truth Ministries on YouTube and those of other ministers like Leonard Ravenhill; David Wilkerson; Zac Poonen; Gbile Akanni and Keith Daniel. Till we meet again on this platform, I remain yours in Christ Jesus, Bro Mike Dike. God bless you.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:48:54 +0000
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